Shipping Containers: From Junk to Jewel

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug. 4, 2011 - Shopping containers have a life span ranging from 5 -15 years, on average, when used as a cargo hold for transport, but what happens to all those metal boxes after their usefulness has expired? Many "green" organizations have found inventive ways to use these forgotten gems, and with eco-freindly results.


Housing


Old shipping containers are still durable enough to convert into homes, either alone or connected to an existing structure. They are light weight and their asymmetric design allows for easy stacking. Take London's Container City. The city is comprised or around 80 percent recycled material, and has a trendy, modern look that is desirable among young urban go-getters.


Shopping


The Seventh Kilometer Market in the Ukraine is an entirely container built shopping complex. The builders, unknowing, hopped on board the green revolution by using the only materials available to make this sprawling market. Shipping containers make fantastic retail locations for their ability to fit together in a smooth line, being easily navigable.


Cabin on the Go and Off the Grid


What's cooler than bringing your own house with you to a backwoods retreat? Nothing. If you're planning on living off the grid, then Canada's Bark Design All Terrain Cabin might give you an idea of how a shipping container can make it possible. They've used a single pod and created a home for a family of four, and a furry pal, to live without the need for grid connections.


Playgrounds and Art


Shipping containers: http://www.shippingcontainers.com.au/ can be used for large scare art projects like the arch in Yokohama, Japan. Playgrounds are another neat use of these items. They make great play houses, forts and can act as a shelter for children and parents on a hot day.


Military


The US military utilizes the giant metal boxes as emergency shelter and storage for weapons and ammunition. They are built to withstand virtually all weather conditions and abuse, so it makes sense to use them in area where bullets fly just as much as sand.



It is estimate that over half of all shipping containers are sitting idle at any given time. It is such as waste of space and resources. Recycling these universally beneficial crates are buildings, art, emergency shelters or secure ground storage is a trend that likely will not fade away any time soon.

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Port Container Services is one of the largest and fastest growing shipping container companies in Australia. We supply high quality shipping container products with a unbeatable service.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11612719/1