London, 25th July 2024 – A new study by PFU (EMEA) Limited (https://www.pfu.ricoh.com/emea) uncovers a paper hoarding epidemic in the UK, with the average home clinging 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 research, 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.

“The fact is that the world continues to rely on paper for critical documents, says Kashiwagi san – President and CEO, PFU (EMEA) Limited. This 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."

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 Household Country

(Per Household) Weight 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.

“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,” said says Kashiwagi san – President and CEO, PFU (EMEA) Limited.

About ScanSnap

ScanSnap is the hardware and software solution that makes it easy for you to digitise your life so that you can focus on the things that matter. You don’t need to be an IT expert – you just need to touch a button. To learn more about ScanSnap, visit https://www.ScanSnapit.com

About PFU

Since its founding in 1960, PFU has been headquartered in Ishikawa, Japan and expanding its business globally. In 2022, PFU joined the Ricoh Group. Based on the technologies cultivated through computer development, we provide a total range of IT-related products and services, including hardware such as image scanners and embedded computers, security and document management software and services, IT infrastructure building, and multi-vendor services in partnership with other companies.

For more information, please visit https://www.pfu.ricoh.com/global

About Ricoh

Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimize business performance.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh’s global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2023, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,134 billion yen (approx. 16.0 billion USD).

It is Ricoh’s mission and vision to empower individuals to find Fulfilment through Work by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realize a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

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