On Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:35:00 +0100, Steve Slatcher wrote:

Ours is 24yo. The plastic is starting to perish, but it still works and
I see no need to replace it.

24 years, that could be before they started making "plastic"
biodegradeable... I doubt a modern plastic kettle will last 24 years.
Out last one had done about ten but bits of it inside were flaking
off and other areas had gone soft.

Clearing out my Dad's house last month we'd find ordinary supermarket
carrier bags that are of the 20 year vintage, good as new. Ones from
the last few years fall apart into crumbs the moment you touch 'em.

--
Cheers
Dave.