Virtual Assistance Considers Impact On Environment - Modern technology means win-win for all

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 18, 2008 -- Port Adelaide, SA – 18 February 2008

Many small business owners and entrepreneurs are wondering what they can do to address their environmental concerns. Cutting back on traditional staffing and turning instead to Virtual Assistance reduces the impact small businesses have on the environment.

After working in office administration for over ten years, Levi J. Scarman, owner of Port Adelaide area Virtual Assistance business VA flex, took on the mantra, “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.,” and decided to go into business to help streamline office administration for other small business owners and entrepreneurs, while making a positive impact on the environment.

"A big part of my decision to work remotely as a Virtual Assistant involved choosing an industry that fits with my personal ethics. The fact that I can have a direct positive impact in regards to the future of the environment was a huge influence in choosing to enter the Virtual Assistance industry," Scarman states.

He adds, "My office is set up to minimise its carbon footprint. I do as much as I can to reduce my impact on our environment by reusing products, using recycled materials where possible and participating in local recycling programs, and particularly by working electronically as much as I can."

Working remotely, typically from home offices, Virtual Assistants are able to reduce their environmental impact through less travel, smaller offices and less paper waste. Scarman says it is important to him to be mindful about how he works, how it affects the environment, and continually educates himself about his impact on the environment.

"I utilise natural light, and at times when artificial light is necessary I use energy efficient lighting. I use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and I try to use the least amount of electricity as possible," Scarman says.

"Having worked in traditional settings, I've seen how much waste offices can produce, particularly with paper. A lot of people think it's beyond their control, but it can be as simple as switching to recycled paper and saving 13 trees for every tonne of paper you use," he adds.

Working with a Virtual Assistant instead of using a traditional in-house employee gives small business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to contribute positively to the future of the environment. Virtual Assistants use one, usually smaller, office to support a number of businesses rather than one larger office for each business, and they use much less paper by working electronically.

Fuel for private transport is the biggest generator of greenhouse gases for most Australian households (Australian Greenhouse Office, 2007), and working from a home office enables Virtual Assistants industry to have a substantial positive impact on travel. By eliminating almost all work-related travel, Virtual Assistants can substantially decrease the six tonnes of transport-related greenhouse gas produced by the average Australian household each year.

Virtual Assistance is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to hiring traditional employees as a way for small business owners and entrepreneurs to save themselves time, money and office space. Virtual Assistants provide administrative, creative and technical services as independent contractors from their own office space.

Levi J. Scarman is a Virtual Assistant based in the Port Adelaide area, SA, Australia, who works globally and specialises in designing marketing materials and graphics for small business, as well as writing and editing services. His business website is http://www.vaflex.com

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