The basic digital clock uses 10 watts - not considered much - however over it runs continuously - so every 24 hours it adds up to 240 watts - per week that's 1.68 watts - if you are using mains power that equates to an average of 1.68 kilos of greenhouse gas - per year 87.6 kwh and kilos.

Our 18 X 80 watt solar panels take 2.5 weeks to produce that much power.

Find more power efficient ways - rechargeable batteries - use a wrist watch with a light, or, do something really weird and use the acid in fruit to power a digital clock, - we use our ever abundant limes and create a conversation point at the same time. 8{

We've just started stocking a water-powered alarm clock in our online shop too - it just runs on a few drops of tap water, topped up every couple of months or so.

Mark Mann
EcoShop

I've had my cheapie supermarket clock for about 7 years now. In all that time, I've only had to replace the 2 x AA batteries twice. It has all the features minus a radio, but it works and I've never felt the need to get another.
On the topic of batteries, does anyone have any more detailed information on their environmental effect, and what the average consumption of these equates to? Are rechargable batteries more toxic in any way?

Nickel Cadmium batteries (nicads - NiCd) contain - well - cadmium - a heavy metal and not very nice.

- Stephen

From Earth 911 - and US recylcing site,

Additional Ways to help the Environment When Using and Disposing of Batteries

This is one of my 'crusades' - I've been trying to find places where they recycle batteries in Australia as currently its all done overseas and at great expense - apart from phone batteries which are recycled by MRI in melbourne, I have only found a university that has set up its own recycling centre - though Gold Coast Council are now accepting Nickel Cadmium batteries - not sure what they are doing wiht them. I've been asking ATA to look at the issue - with very little response. Which, as someone in the industry said, is the 'Greenies' usual response - no response - they are only good at bitching about the issue, not offering solutions - and, to be honest, so far he's right.

errrrrmmmm how much does a computer use?

As I am guilty of leaving the computer on a lot.
btw I have a digital clock, but I have no choice as it is a alarm clock with a vibrator.(no no, not the sex toy!) to wake me up in the morning as a sound alarm is useless to me, cos I am deaf.

btw nice ecoshop, and how exactly does the water clock work? I mean how do you get energy from it?

This post has been edited by Phoenix: Nov 15 2004, 06:31 AM

As to computers - we use a laptop - it uses 10% of the power of a desktop - around 80watts an hour for laptop compared o 800. But of course that varies, apparently even internal modems are constantly drawing when not in use.

I bought a water clock from ecoshop - its a chrissy present, but I had to open it and use it - it worked - almost instantly and even after I drained the water back out - beats me how it does - said it is good for about 2 years of use (all up).