The other day I ran across the need for some White Out. I haven’t had a need for it in at least a couple years. I rummaged through my desk drawer and found a bottle. After ten minutes of effort and a pair of pliers I finally got it open, only to discover that it had dried out! After dialing umpteen office extensions, I was able to find someone who had a bottle that was usable (Now I’m curious to know why this person has a usable bottle of the stuff!)

Anyway, this got me to thinking about paper clips, and if they’re going to go the way of White Out? I started to think about how often I use them now. I did use one the other day, but it wasn’t to hold papers together. I formed it into an S hook so that I could hang my headset from my desk drawer when I’m not using it.

Some experts claim that we are decades away, if ever, from a “Paperless” office.  However, being in the business of helping companies reduce their print volume, I think we are rapidly reaching the tipping point of the “Less Paper” office!

So this brings me back to the question of what to do with the billions and billions of paper clips that are setting in people’s desk drawers and office supply cabinets around the world?  After giving it some thought, I think I’ve used about eight paper clips in the last month.  Three to hold papers together and five for other purposes listed below:

• The S thing I mentioned above.
• To unclog a glue bottle
• To clean my finger nails (I didn’t put it back in the box)
• As a shirt collar extender (hidden by the tie)
• As a picture holder in a cubicle.

What are you using yours for these days? Let me know, as I will begin to compile a list!