UK firms squander nearly five million tonnes of paper per year

The idea of the paperless office is a long way off becoming a reality, with UK workers churning their way through 4.6 million tonnes of waste paper each year.

That's equal to 212kg for each of the UK's 21.7 million workers, which according to copier and printer firm Canon would be enough to fill the new Wembley stadium right up to the roof - five times over.

The wastage is also equal to around 2.7 per cent of UK revenues, or £59.4bn lost into bins around the country.

According to Canon, paper consumption has risen 40 per cent over the last 10 years. Incredibly this is the opposite situation to that predicted by advocates of the paperless office who claimed a greater reliance upon PCs and digital media would limit the need for paper within the workplace.

But people are still of a mindset that sees them print out hard copies of files and documents which exist either online or on their hard drive.

A spokeswoman for Canon said if all the printer and copier paper which is wasted each year in the UK was laid end to end it would create a paper trail that would stretch 360,000km - a distance that would almost take it to the moon.

"It's difficult to comprehend the sheer volumes of paper that are wasted by businesses in this country each year," said the spokeswoman.

"Quite simply, many businesses are throwing hundreds and thousands of pounds into the waste paper bin every day," she added.

Canon is urging UK businesses to adopt a print management strategy involving more effective and transparent filing and archiving strategies, to prevent multiple, unnecessary print outs, as well as double-sided printing.

Canon also offers these tips for recycling paper in the office:

• When buying printers, photocopiers and fax machines, choose ones with options for two-sided printing - and ensure that printer drivers are set to double-sided print as default.

• Training is essential. Educate employees on different ways to manage their document workflow.

• Set up a recycling scheme for scrap paper. Make sure recycling bins are close to people's desks, so it's easier to recycle paper than throw it away.

• Re-use envelopes for internal circulation and, if possible, with a sticker for external mail.

• Re-use paper printed on one side for notepaper or printing drafts and reuse padded envelopes where presentation quality envelopes aren't needed.