Recently the USGBC released a new draft for LEED 2009, which includes notable cutbacks on water usage. If it catches on in the U.S., a new washing machine from UK designers Xeros that uses plastic chips rather than water may help builders meet the stricter standards.

After garnering some venture capital, Xeros -- a start up incubated in the University of Leeds -- is set to release the first round of the washers commercially by next year. The washers, which use less than a cup of water per load, use plastic chips to batter clothes clean. Another upside is that the process leaves the clothing dry, eliminating the need for dryers. As a result, the washers use less than 3% of the resources of normal washers. The washers are planned to be similar in form and procedure as normal washers.

Washing machines are $2 billion+ industry in the UK. Right now the rate of efficiency is pretty poor, with a clothes-to-water ratio of 1:35 . In the U.S., a waterless washer  will have special utility to people in arid climates, like some Western states currently facing their second or third consecutive drought year. Water-scarce communities strive to make cuts to water usage in any way they can, and using water conserving appliances are a great, painless way to do that.