A new study has uncovered a troubling paper hoarding epidemic in the UK!
PFU (EMEA) Limited found that the average home clings onto the equivalent of 5,681 A4 sheets of paper. In total, that’s over 160 billion sheets across the UK, enough to reach the height of the Shard more than 49 thousand times if stacked.
While UK households are the biggest culprits, hoarding is rampant across Europe, with the Italians, Germans, Spanish and French also reluctant to let go of their paper clutter.
The study, which was carried out by ScanSnap to understand better how people manage their relationship with paper, highlights an emotional attachment to paper. An overwhelming 66% of respondents estimate it’s unlikely that they will use the paper they have in their homes again – yet three in five (61%) say they would be worried if they were to lose all the paper documents they currently have stored.
Kashiwagi san – President and CEO, PFU (EMEA) Limited, commented:
The fact is that the world continues to rely on paper for critical documents. Fear-driven retention takes a psychological toll, leading to negative feelings such as avoidance or doubt. It’s time we imagine a world without the anxiety of misplaced documents or towering piles of paper.
Kashiwagi san, President and CEO, PFU (EMEA) Limited
UK households the biggest paper hoarders
The survey identifies UK households as the prime culprits of paper hoarding – with total paper weight translating to a staggering 800 million KG of unused paper across the nation. Yet, European households are following suit with those in France least likely to keep hold of paper, averaging 4,182 sheets per household.
| Market | Equivalent No. A4 Sheets (Per Household) | Household
Weight |
Country
Weight |
| UK | 5,681 | 28.4 KG | 801,006,900 KG |
| Italy | 4,971 | 24.9 KG | 646,288,500 KG |
| Germany | 4,501 | 22.5 KG | 922,623,000 KG |
| Spain | 4,445 | 22.2 KG | 419,783,844 KG |
| France | 4,182 | 20.9 KG | 648,217,750 KG |
The clutter contradiction – burdened but just can’t let go
A significant 68% of respondents admit to feeling stressed by clutter in their homes or workspaces, with 66% expressing a desire for less clutter. Yet despite this, 76% of respondents confess to holding onto paper items as a precautionary measure, indicating a deep-seated aversion to loss.
Kashiwagi san commented:
Our survey uncovers a struggle to resist paper accumulation and the resulting sense of burden. But decluttering doesn’t have to be daunting. Digitising everything from precious memories to important documents can significantly lighten the paper load in our living spaces.
Tips for reducing paper use in workplaces
To alleviate both employee stress and environmental impact, workplaces can adopt several strategies to reduce paper usage. Implementing digital document management systems can help streamline workflows and reduce the need for physical paper. Encouraging the use of electronic signatures, cloud storage, and collaborative online tools can further diminish reliance on paper. Providing training on digital literacy and emphasising the environmental benefits of going paperless can foster a culture that prioritises sustainability. These measures not only help in decluttering workspaces but also contribute to a more efficient and eco-friendly working environment.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.
