Fresh from the “why didn’t someone think of this sooner” department: Kimberly-Clark (maker of Scott's paper products and many others) is taking the first step toward eliminating the cardboard tube from its toilet paper rolls. The new packages go on sale today at Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts in the Northeast. If it works, paper towel rolls could be next!

The company still has some important items to check off on its conservation to-do list -- specifically, incorporating more recycled content into its products. But the move to ditch the unnecessary cardboard tubes (even if it's only a pilot progam for now) is a start.

While we’re on the subject of eliminating superfluous stuff, why stop at T.P. tubes? When you think about it, there are loads more packaging components and other disposables that we could do without.

“Companies usually save money on these moves, too, and that’s great if that’s what’s motivating them," says Darby Hoover, an NRDC resource specialist and solid waste expert. "That means we’ll see them cut down on other waste, too.” What other wasteful and unnecessary consumer materials would Hoover like to say goodbye to?

• Let's start with plastic hangers for underwear -- who hangs up their underwear once it leaves the store? “It’s ridiculous to make plastic, one-use items like these," Hoover says. "If they really need to include hangers, they could be making them out of cardboard or compostable material."

• Also ripe for elimination -- those infernal twist ties that make childrens’ toy so hard to get out of the package. “They seem to be protecting things that don’t need to be protected, and they’re usually not recyclable,” says Hoover. Similarly silly are the excessive amounts of molded Styrofoam used to pack electronics that aren’t that fragile.

• ATM envelopes could go too. Some banks already accept naked checks. Shouldn’t the rest get with the program? And speaking of envelopes, more companies should stop sending out separate return envelopes inside their billing envelopes and switch to double-use mailers, ala Netflix. “Paper still makes up the largest portion of the waste stream, so we need to keep thinking of ways to use less,” Hoover says.

• Plastic bags of all sorts, including grocery sacks, banana baggies, and individual dry cleaning bags, should also be curtailed. In most cases, one bag over three blouses would suffice. Or even better, no bag at all. “Whether you need it or want it, there it is anyway," Hoover says. "Why?”

• And why do so many restaurants automatically include plastic silverware in deliveries, along with extra condiments, soy sauce packets, straws and napkins? “Customers can ask not to have them of course, but I wish restaurants would take the initiative some time and stop putting 20 million napkins in with every order."

Once we start thinking about waste, we notice it everywhere. One of the best ways to start getting rid of waste -- and encouraging businesses to do it, too -- is by simply not asking for unnessary disposable items.

So take a look around you. See anything else we could all do without? Tell us what you'd like to get rid of in the comments below.