About Chicago Shredder
Built in Chicago. Trusted by businesses across the Midwest for secure, documented recycling and data destruction.
Built from the Ground Up
Chicago Shredder was founded by Mark Domnenko, an entrepreneur who saw a gap in the Chicago market in the early 2000s: businesses were struggling to find a single, reliable partner that could handle electronics recycling, hard drive destruction, and data security under one chain of custody. Most vendors specialized in one or the other. None did everything well.
Mark started his recycling business journey in 2008. In 2011, he founded AVA Recycling — the anchor company that grew into one of Chicago's largest ITAD and electronics recycling operations. Chicago Shredder was built as a focused service brand within that umbrella, concentrating on the secure data destruction and IT asset disposition market that Chicago businesses needed.
Over the next decade, the operation expanded — more trucks, more service categories, more of the Chicago metro covered. ByMark Ventures served as the holding umbrella during those growth years. The model remained consistent: one vendor, one certificate, one point of accountability.
In 2025, AVA Recycling's operations and brands merged into the STS Recycling Family — a national electronics recycling and ITAD network headquartered in Jacksonville, Texas. The merger gave Chicago Shredder access to STS Electronic Recycling, Inc.'s R2v3-certified processing infrastructure and enterprise-grade compliance framework, while preserving the local team and daily service routes that Chicago clients rely on.
What We Stand For
Security
Every job involves sensitive data or hazardous materials. We treat both with the same standard: documented processes, chain of custody, and a certificate at the end.
Sustainability
We're in the business of keeping harmful materials out of landfills and ecosystems. Every pickup helps divert lead, mercury, cadmium, and rare earth materials from Illinois landfills.
Service
One truck. One partner. One certificate. The service model was built to eliminate the headache of managing multiple recycling vendors — so you can focus on your business.
Certifications & Standards
All electronics processed through Chicago Shredder are handled through STS Electronic Recycling, Inc.'s R2v3-certified facility — part of the STS Recycling Family. This means your materials move through a nationally audited, certified infrastructure, not a regional shop operating on the honor system.
For data destruction, our Addison, IL facility uses an on-site hard drive crusher aligned to DoD-standard requirements, with processes designed to support HIPAA, GLBA, and SOX compliance requirements. Physical destruction is available on-site — witnessed, no drives leaving intact.
All electronics processed through STS Electronic Recycling, Inc.'s R2v3-certified facility
Responsible Recycling quality management standard — through STS Recycling Family
Processes designed for full EPA regulatory compliance
Better Business Bureau accreditation
DoD 5220.22-M and NIST SP 800-88 are industry reference standards, not independently held certifications. Chicago Shredder processes are aligned with these guidelines as part of the STS compliance framework.
Work With Us
Get a free quote for any recycling or data destruction service — we serve businesses across the Chicago metro.
Part of the STS Recycling Family. All electronics are processed through STS Electronic Recycling, Inc.'s R2v3-certified facility.