BUSINESSES in the West Midlands are throwing away so much paper each year that lined together it would stretch from Bromsgrove to Beijing in China.

A research project has found that local businesses throw away more than 27million reams of printer and copier paper every year.

The total cost of this waste can be as much of 2.7 per cent of a company's annual turn-over - costing West Midlands' businesses more than £4.6bn annually. The research was carried out by digital imaging company Canon, which is urging businesses to adopt methods to minimise paper wastage to reduce environmental damage as well as protect company profits.

"It's difficult to comprehend the sheer volumes of paper that are wasted by businesses in the West Midlands each year," said Alan Lowe, Canon business centre manager for the West Midlands.

"Even if we consider just the office printer and copier paper that's wasted locally every year, laid end-to-end, the reams represented by this waste would stretch more than 8,100 km."

l Tips to cut down on office paper waste:

l 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.

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

l 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.