Dedicated to the conservation of the earth’s natural resources, this website was created as a repository of the latest green practices, energy-saving tips and environmental product innovations.

Our philosophy is simple, really. People should use only what they need. With a few easy lifestyle changes, anyone can help save the environment, and save money on their utility bills at the same time.

Pleaseconserve.com is in no way politically affiliated. We believe that conservation is a choice best handled by individuals and businesses that can move far faster and more effectively than any politician or mandate. With the information we provide, we want to help create a society that is energy independent and not driven by thoughtless consumption.

Please peruse our pages for information on how to protect and conserve water, oil, wood, soil, and electricity.

As digital technology continues to define contemporary life, some companies have aimed to curtail the impact of IT equipment on the environment. Western Digital offers the sustainable WD Caviar Green Hard Drive, which uses 40 percent less power than standard desktop storage devices and operates more quietly. With a 2 TB capacity and a low price tag of $109.99, the eco-conscious drive doesn’t force consumers to sacrifice performance or loads of cash.

Many parts of the country absorbed plenty of rain this summer, which can present a series of problems for homeowners – unless they really like seeing their trees, shrubs, plants and, especially, their lawns thrive under such conditions.

It means there was a lot of lawn mowing going on in certain parts of the country. And more of that mowing these days is being done with “greener” mowers.

It is true that the mowing season will be coming to a close in those places in which winter will soon cast its long, cold shadow. Yet, this is generally a good time to buy a mower for next year in season-ending sales.

Many who have contemplated a new mower, either prior to summer, or now as the season winds down, are taking a closer look at those “greener” mowers – those that cut fuel costs and air pollution while you cut your lawn.

Many mowers are being manufactured with strict exhaust emissions standards in mind, such as those in California. Regardless of state standards, it is good practice to consider mowers that are kinder to your pocketbook and the air you breath.

While the green trend has recently picked up in lawn care and maintenance, electric mowers have been around for years. However, improvements are being seen in cordless, electric mowers that make them more practical and appealing. Most rechargeable cordless mowers are now designed to have enough electric charge in them to cut a typical one-third acre lot – as long as the grass is not too long, and is cut on a weekly basis.

A commitment to conservation has to be made to use electric mowers, because they tend to be heavier than gasoline models and generally are not self-propelled – another reason you wouldn’t want your grass to get too long between mowings if using a cordless electric unit.

Older model gasoline mowers produce huge amounts of air pollution, in addition to being noisy in the neighborhood. Plus, you have to deal with disposing of old oil each year. Newer over-head valve engines cut down on some of that pollution, but they are still not as desirable as the zero pollution coming from electric mowers.

When comparing costs, one has to take into account that a 24-volt battery model handles most normal grass-cutting jobs. Those chargers consume between 45 to 90 watts of electricity during a full-charge overnight. At an electric rate of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, it costs only about five to 10 cents for each cutting.

Considering the cost of oil, gasoline, spark plugs and filters for use of a mower during a summer season, the five cents per mowing is a mere fraction of the cost.

The Los Angeles-based eco-conscious company Falcon offers sleek urinals that require no water. Each urinal, equipped with a special cartridge and sealant system, is estimated to save up to 40,000 gallons of water per year. The airtight and flush-free operation also eliminates odors and reduces bacteria.

http://www.falconwaterfree.com/how/stage2.htm

As part of an effort to increase the percentage of energy its power grid receives from renewable sources (only 6 percent of the country’s energy is green), Australia is set to build a billion-dollar wind plant in Victoria State. The 140 wind turbine configuration is expected to yield enough power for 220,000 homes and to displace 1.7 million tons of greenhouse gases annually. The project is just one of many steps Australia is taking to meet its 2020 goal of powering the grid with at least 20 percent clean energy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/business/energy-environment/23green.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&src=busln

Prior to the economic downturn, wind turbines were in high demand, but in the past 18 months wind energy has lost some momentum despite the nation’s continued push for “green” energy sources.

In late July, the American Wind Energy Association reported that only 700 megawatts of wind power was installed in the United States in the first half of 2010. That’s 71 percent fewer wind towers than in the first half of 2009 and 57 percent fewer than in the first half of 2008. New installations for full-year 2010 will likely be 25 to 45 percent below last year, the group estimates.

Construction on a number of wind-power projects will at least be started this year to take advantage of the federal convertible tax credit that is due to expire. Currently there are about 5,500 megawatts in the pipeline. Next year, however, AWEA predicts a dramatic decline “as there is no demand beyond the present coasting momentum” without new federal government policy to promote wind farm demand.

“Strong federal policy supporting the U.S. wind energy industry has never been more important,” says Denise Bode, AWEA’s chief executive officer. “We have a historic opportunity to build a major new manufacturing industry. Without strong supportive policy, like a national renewable electricity standard to spur demand, investment and jobs, manufacturing facilities will go idle.”

Federal stimulus money from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act has helped to bring some wind power projects already in the pipeline to the finish line, adds Bode. “However, power purchase agreements—the locomotive that drives the project pipeline—are difficult to obtain today given the drop in overall electricity demand, lower natural gas prices and the absence of a clear national renewable energy policy.”

AWEA says a renewable electricity standard would prompt utilities to buy wind power and stimulate demand again. As proposed in the American Clean Energy and Leadership Act of 2009, which got the nod of the Senate Energy and National Resources Committee last summer, a national renewable electricity standard would require that 15 percent of the United States’ energy be produced from renewable sources, such as wind, solar and biomass, by 2020. However, the scaled down energy bill recently introduced by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) did not include a renewable electricity standard, but rather focused on the cleanup of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and measures for improving U.S. energy efficiency.

It is possibly the easiest item to just mindlessly toss into the garbage can because as you are discarding them your mind is usually focused on the task of replacing them at nearly the same moment.

But they are just as easy to recycle, thus cutting down on the chance of polluting lakes and streams, and exposing the environment and water to lead and acid.

Household batteries contain all sorts of heavy metals – cadmium, lead mercury and nickel – which are a detriment to the environment when they turn up in landfills.

It has been estimated that more than 2 billion batteries end up in landfills every year in the United States. When you consider that Americans buy billions of dry-cell batteries every year to power radios, toys, cell phones, watches, laptop computers, and portable power tools, it is apparent we are nearly overrun by batteries.

In addition to keeping harmful elements out of the land and air by recycling batteries, it can also result in saving resources by recovering the plastics and metals that can be used to make new batteries.

Alkaline batteries, the everyday household batteries used in flashlights, remote controls, and other appliances are prime candidates for consistent recycling efforts, as many cities and counties have recycling programs and several reclamation companies now process these batteries.

It is most tempting to just pitch those small, round “button-cell” type batteries found in items such as watches and hearing aids – but they contain mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium, or other heavy metals as their main component. Button cells are increasingly targeted for recycling because of the value of recoverable materials, their small size, and their easy handling relative to other battery types.

Many states have battery-recycling laws in place, but a habit of recycling your household batteries can aid the environment, regardless of any mandated regulations. In other words, you don’t need the government to explain how easy it is to recycle batteries.

Check to see if your city or county has drop-off locations for old batteries. Many cities allow battery recycling by simply placing the old batteries in bags and putting the bag on the ground near your regular recycling bin.

In many states, the larger lead-acid batteries from autos, boats, and sump pumps can be taken to any store that sells these batteries. The stores will take these batteries for free or a small processing charge. Then the batteries are totally recycled, including lead plates, battery acid, and the plastic cases.

Among vehicles and fossil fuels, cows are a top producer of methane, a greenhouse gas. But researchers in the UK have found a way to make the cows less gassy. In turns out that tumeric and coriander, two additions in curry, kill methane producing bacteria in cow stomachs. The study concludes that by adding these spices to feed, farmers could reduce methane emissions by 40%.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-07/seasoning-feedstocks-curry-spices-cuts-methane-emissions-livestock-40

Mounting standard solar panel systems can be a lengthy and complex process that involves contractors, electricians and about $10,000. The Sunfish, which is expected to hit stores by spring 2011, is a new solar energy module that costs $799 and can be installed in under an hour. Its panels plug into a regular outlet, and users can monitor their power-saving via the web.

http://www.clariantechnologies.com/main/page_plugin_solar_power.html

Calculators were previously used for basic math equations, but now they have just gotten a little fancier. Researchers at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station have developed a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator, a helpful device for farmers who trade this on markets. The calculator is available online and uses inputs such as crops, farming techniques, and fertilizers to determine how much carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide were produced. Researchers hope that this tool will assist farmers in making more environmentally-friendly decisions.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100809093643.htm

Before long, the ocean water in Hawaii could be used for more than just surfing. Several hotel owner in Waikiki are looking to use cold deep-sea water to power air conditioning. The cold water from the ocean would be pumped into a heat exchanger that would chill a closed container of fresh water. The fresh water would be used for the air conditioning and the sea water returned to the ocean. Hotels could potentially save 20% on their cooling costs.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/businessnews/20100809_The_cooling_wave.html