2010 International Housewares Show. Best Performance? Silicone! Consumers are alive! The economic tide is rising, and the people are talking. This year's theme, not surprisingly, appeared to be sustainability and reusability. Yes, although consumers have reemerged, most of them widely agree that their spending habits will not mimic "pre Bear Sterns" levels any time soon. So what does that mean in terms of discretionary spending? Goodbye over-indulgence, hello frugality. With the advent of high temperature silicone passed to the consumer from NASA research, we noticed silicone was a big hit at this year's housewares show. Durable to both everyday household wear and tear, as well as the routinely high cooking temperatures in the kitchen, such products are exactly what the "new era" consumer wants. But learning about sustainability doesn't start with the middle-age consumer, nor should it. Political views aside, sustainability is about becoming a better person and a healthier and more efficient society. That is why many elementary schools have gone waste free, and the GoodByn is the perfect starting point. User-friendly for children (and even equipped with stickers!), these initiatives and devices help educate our next generation of leaders to actively partake in making Earth a more hospitable place to call Home, even at the rate of one saved sandwich baggy at a time. This new product for 2010 is 100 percent recyclable and dishwasher friendly. Obviously sustainability is an ongoing initiative, and we cannot expect to remove all waste overnight. The German-based House-Ware realized this and, in effect, created the ProfiCan Duo can opener. They found a way to "improve the trash", so to speak, as the device flattens the sharp, jagged edges formed by traditional can openers. You can even re attach the metal lid for re sealing. This multi-purpose opener also sharpens knives and pops bottle tops off. Consolidating kitchen utensils--yet another act of sustainability? You bet. One final example we found of improved reusability was in the Stanley PMI containers, which utilize a unique clamping mechanism to create a watertight silicone seal. It seams PMI or the Pacific Market International organization manages several brands each with separate product lines. Stanley, the big green thermos you grandfather brought to work each day is still there but this Aladdin brand is the new hipper version. Many of the products you see from Aladdin will be available by June 2010. The Silicone Zone also produced a new line of products around a silicone seal that we thought worthy of mention. Both product types help to eliminate the need for throwaway plastic wrap. With all these pushes, and many to come, towards reusability and sustainability, perhaps the days of the Pacific Trash Vortex are numbered. . We like the easily erasable chalk label. ASA http://www.asa-selection.com ASA http://www.asa-selection.com We liked the use of stainless steel and porcelain in these tea pots from ASA. Perfect for kids. Ill have building blocks with my food thank you. Eureka Concepts. http://www.eurekaconcepts.com   Eureka Concepts - In light of the Design-Engine's plastic parts design class we liked this product because we could punch out our forks from the family mold. Ever wondered where to put that stem wine glass while eating your appetizers at that dinner party? This product has a place for that too. http://www.eurekaconcepts.com When most school lunch programs are going waste free it's easy to be eco friendly with this lunch box. Goodbyn http://www.goodbyn.com Glasslock http://www.glasslock.com   Silicone Zone No more plastic wrap to throw away. This creates a vacuum to adhere to glass or other silicone zone products to create a tight seal. Silicone Zone utilizes a high temperature silicones which can easily reach temperatures above 600 degrees Fahrenheit without problems. No spills with this supper sticky Silicone substitute to plastic wrap! This product from Silicone Zone. The website has a virus attack alert at the time of posting this article so we did not list the website here. Not only do these go from the oven to the fridge they also collapse for easy storage. Now this is definitely not my mothers Tupperware. Design-Engine is now inspired to bake with these cool high temperature silicone products. Bye-Bye baggies with these sustainable, stylish, and functional to-go mugs. http://www.stanley-pmi.com/ With this stylish line we can all be hip and go waste free with these eco friendly products http://www.stanley-pmi.com/ No more paper bags here either. We are a little confused as to all the separate lines and brands offered by Stanley but we sure like these new products. Stanley PMI http://www.stanley-pmi.com/ Flexibility was another common trend. Flexible bowls and measuring cups make for easy pouring. http://www.isinorthamerica.com Great new ideas in herb storage and decorative ice balls. Prepara http://www.prepara.com They actually did reinvent the can opener. ProfiCan Duo http://www.house-ware.de It's Swiss, enough said. Swiss Diamond Cookware http://www.swissdiamond.com/ Can opener/bottle opener/knife sharpener what else is needed? ProfiCan Duo http://www.house-ware.de It's so easy even Bart can do it. ProfiCan Duo http://www.house-ware.de