Since McDonald's began receiving criticism for its environmental practices in the 1970s, it has significantly reduced its use of materials. For instance, an "average meal" in the 1970sa Big Mac, fries, and a drinkrequired of packaging; today, it requires , a 46 percent reduction. In addition, McDonald's eliminated the need for intermediate containers for cola by using a delivery system that pumps syrup directly from the delivery truck into storage containers, saving of packaging annually. Weight reductions in packaging and products, as well as increased usage of bulk packaging, ultimately decreased packaging by annually. McDonald's efforts to reduce solid waste by using less packaging and by promoting the use of recycled materials were recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.