Great question. Conservation is a wonderful concept, when its aims and goals are sound and based upon sound science. Unfortunately the left has seized on an idea that makes sense on its face to many people but has no basis in sound science. Their goal? The defeat of capitalism. They hate disposable products and consumer comforts because those represent the pinnacle of capitalism providing what people want.
A very powerful series of environmental laws can be used defeat capitalism and private property rights which are anethema to leftists.
Conservation is a good idea. Conservation under the rules and dictates of the left is a BAD idea. Most environmental law in this country was written by liberals without regard to honest science.
See my posts above on the fallacies of MODERN recycling policies.