The most essential way to reduce waste is to avoid creating it in the first place. Unfortunately, current consumer behavior is trending in the wrong direction. According the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, each person created 2.7 pounds of waste each day in 1960. Today that number is 4.3 pounds. (See References 2) Some companies, however, are getting more efficient with their product packaging to save resources. Plastic 2-liter soft drink bottles are one example. Manufacturers have reduced the weight of the plastic used in these bottles by 0.6 ounces over the last 30 years. While this may seem insignificant, it keeps 250 million pounds of plastic from becoming part of the waste stream. (See References 2) Likewise, consumers can reduce simply by cutting back and making small changes. Cutting back on water and energy use at home is a good place to start. When making a purchase, look for durable products that will last a long time, rather than something that might need to be replaced quickly. (See References 1)