Shred-it announces 2015 Good Riddance Day winner

Toronto-based Shred-it International, along with partners the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, have announced that Maureen Dexter of Wenatchee, Washington is the winner of the 2015 Good Riddance Day Contest.

Maureen Dexter before her weight loss.

In 2015, Dexter embarked on a life-changing weight loss journey. As she shed 70 pounds, she became leaner, stronger and more self-confident and now she's ready to carry that momentum into 2016. 

"Good Riddance Day provides an opportunity for me to say goodbye to the old me in style," Dexter says.  "Securely shredding my ‘before’ photo will be a symbolic shift from the person I was in the past to the person I want to be in 2016. I know this will be my best year yet."

Dexter was selected from hundreds of entrants across the country by a panel of judges from Shred-it, the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment. As the grand prize winner, she receives a five-night trip to New York City for Good Riddance Day Dec. 28. She will be the first in line to securely destroy the items that anchor her to her past self.   

"Good Riddance Day is a time to reflect on the year that was and get excited for a fresh new start by symbolically purging the negative from our lives," says Bruce Andrew, senior vice president at Shred-it. "We are thankful to all those who shared their stories with us. We look forward to the event and helping those who will participate, securely shred and recycle their forgettable memories from the past year to move forward with a clean slate."

Good Riddance is scheduled for Dec. 28, 2015, in New York City's Times Square Broadway Plaza, between 46th and 47th Streets, from noon to 1 p.m. EDT.  New Yorkers and visitors to the city are invited to this annual event when Shred-it parks a mobile shredding truck in Times Square to help people welcome the New Year by destroying mementoes of the past.

"An essential part of preparing for the New Year is to reflect on the past and look for ways to make the future brighter," says Tim Tompkins, president, Times Square Alliance. "Good Riddance Day is a natural lead-in to our New Year's Eve countdown—everyone will let go of the past and get ready to celebrate the future."

The shredded material generated on Good Riddance Day will be baled and sent to nearby recycling plants. For every ton of paper shredded and recycled, 17 trees, 4,100 kilowatts of energy and 3.5 cubic yards of landfill space will be saved.

More information is available at www.shredit.com/GoodRiddanceDay.