Things That Should Not Be Made Out of Plastic

Snow Shovels: I have a cheap, metal-bladed snow shovel that's lasted almost 10 winters. The edge of the blade is a little chipped, but it still works fine. My parents have snow shovels that must be 20 or 30 years old. Can you tell me that any plastic-bladed snow shovel is going to be as cost-effective?

Home Mailboxes: My townhouse complex replaced its mailboxes not too long ago -- since my metal mailbox had just been recently replaced (bad hinge), mine was spared. But everybody else got plastic mailboxes. Guess whose mailboxes have doors that don't stay closed?

Now, I realize that, strictly speaking, snow shovels and mailboxes are not durable goods. But I fear for our disposable culture, where lower life-cycle costs are sacrificed at the altar of lower up-front costs.

Feel free to add your own examples. And you kids, stay off of my lawn.