Are garbage landfills protected from people who do identity theft?

TOM asked:


I want to dump bout 10 boxes of old docs, –like bank stuff etc etc.. and i cant be bothered to shred it or pay to get it shred.

People talk about identify theft from dumpsters but what about from the garbage dump? Also

1. How often does identity theft via “dumpster divers” actually really happen???
2. Is garbage “safe” if you dump it directly at the garbage transfer station?

Marilyn