Sigg Water Bottles.

I've owned a sigg water bottle for more than 10 years and have probably drunk 1000 liters (or pints) of water from it. I think it could last another 10.
So for replacing disposable water bottles these seem like an obvious choice. I like the fact they don't change the flavour of the water the way plastic bottles do.

Chopsticks

This post about high-quality ohashi (chopsticks) on Treehugger caught my eye recently.

"The trend in the past few years is to design beautiful ohashi that users cherish and keep for a long time. These properly designed, award-winning wooden chopsticks feel wonderful in your hand, with a lovely balance. Perfect for just eating a little bite, little by little. If you like slow food, this is the only utensil you need."

I like the idea of everyone carrying around their pair of beautiful, handmade chopsticks--you'd never need plastic utensils for takeout again!

(Photo from Treehugger post--a traditional chopstick shop in Japan.)

Nihola Cargo Bicycle.

We fell in love with the Nihola cargo tricycle when visiting Copenhagen. Without doubt it is an expensive bicycle, but I like to think of it much more like a cheap car, or even a very cheap truck. The cargo carrying capacity is awesome, easily hauling 200 lbs or 100kg in the front bucket. It is extremely hard to get in the US - I had to import it myself. Hopefully something similar will emerge here. It is fun and practical and the best way to shop for groceries I've ever tried. When necessary we can even give each-other rides home in the bucket. I particularly look forward to having the baby carrier in the front, or perhaps two small chidlins' sitting on the provided seat (with seatbelt included). It is very sturdy, meaning the frame is not lightweight. It looks like it will last 50 years with minimal maintenance. We've had it a year now. So far so good.

Chantal tea kettle

The last time I visited my grandmother, she made me tea from a kettle that she bought when my father was born. Let me repeat that: when my father was born, well over 50 years ago. It's incredible! My parents burned through more kettles than I can count, but if they'd been a little less absent-minded, would their kettle have lasted?

When I moved to California four years ago, my mom bought me a beautiful Le Creuset kettle that I was confident would be my version of Grandma's. Le Creuset had a reputation for quality, and the white enamel was classic. Sadly, after about 6 months, I left the very full kettle on the boil for what was clearly too long, because the plastic pieces at the base of the handle melted through, leaving the handle to flop against the side of the kettle. Over the next few years, I tried to prop the handle up against nearby pots, but it got more and more cracked, and eventually I also noticed that little black specks were pouring into my tea from the inside enamel. Yikes! I did a little research on the web, and turns out that this is distressingly common.

For the next six months, Saul and I made tea from a saucepan while we waffled back and forth about what kettle to replace it with. We wanted to make sure this next one would last long enough to make tea with our grandchildren. This Chantal whistling tea kettle is our best bet.

Why we think it will last:

solid stainless steel with no enamel inside to crack, and a metal handle welded on to the body to boot. (It gets hot, so the kettle comes with a little custom potholder to cover the handle.) Check back in 50 years and we'll let you know how it's doing!