I have a laundry basket I took form my parents, I think it's from at least the 70's, it seems to be made of a thicker plastic, that's a little rubbery and so does not crack. I've newer washing baskets the plastic seems more brittle and has cracked over time. I wondered if the 70's basket had some additive that is no longer allowed, or that the economics if making a quality product dont make sense, I've certainly no been able to find and that seem robust like my 70's one in the UK.