Morning newspaper, coffee on the go, bus tickets, swiftly followed by pages after pages of documents, bills, statements...not to mention all the junk mails, takeaway menus; and, if you’re lucky enough to be moving house, enough cardboards to build a fortress. When did we become so addicted to paper? More importantly, where does all these paper come from?

Produced by pressing together moist fibres typically derived from wood, rags or grasses, paper has undoubtedly become one of the most inseparable parts of our lives. Unlike most things, our obsession with paper is likely something even the Lib Dems and the Tories could agree on admitting. Through the destruction of trees, paper production is a direct contributor to environmental destruction. As if this wasn’t bad enough, as paper decomposes in landfills or is incinerated, harmful chemicals from its inks are released into the environment!

To reduce the impact, we’ve put together some tips to help you do your bit for our world and go anti-clutter!

-          1/ Switch to online statements:
Most companies nowadays offer online statements as well as online payment methods, adopt this method of communication where possible and prepared to be amazed by how little mailing you need to receive

2/ Don’t print if you don’t have to:
But if you must, print on both sides where possible. Alternatively, tear into equal but smaller sized sheets, clip together and you’ve got a jotting pad

3/ Back to school:
Invest in blackboards or chalkboards to replace flipcharts. Need a copy and can’t physically photocopy the board? Fear not! Just take a picture with your smart phone or camera and circulate on email

-          4/ Avoid the ‘moment of convenience’ temptation:
Opt for tea towels and dish cloths where possible to avoid using kitchen-rolls and hand paper-towels. But if you do have to, tissues and kitchen rolls can add bulk to your compost!

5/ To-dos’ on the go:
If you have a smart phone, download ‘to do list’ applications to replace post-its notes – you’ll never leave another shopping list on the fridge again (unless of course, you forget your phone)

-          6/ Wrappers:
Shredded paper is an excellent replacement for bubble wraps, polystyrenes and foams. This Christmas, wrap with glossy magazines and pad with shredded newspapers to give a unique twist on the cliché glossy wrapping - and you're guaranteed different results everytime!