Shipping Containers, the Sustainable Building Material

In 2018, a whopping 222.2 million tonnes of waste was generated in the UK. Shockingly, a staggering 62% of this waste was directly linked to the Construction, Demolition, and Excavation sector. 32% of all waste is sent to landfill. This is a frightening statistic. Continuing in this way is disastrous for our planet, and ultimately disastrous for us the human race.

landfill chimneys polution trucks climate change — 62% of the 222.2 million tonnes of waste deposited into UK landfills in 2018, came from construction, demolition and excavation activities. Photo credit Adobe Firefly.

Waking up to climate change

The world is finally waking up to the pressing issue of climate change and the need for sustainable building methods. And about time too! The construction industry has finally started to take action, looking for ways to reduce its carbon footprint. Shipping containers are now in the spotlight more then ever before! Literally tens of millions of these colossal metal boxes have been sitting idly at ports for years.

climate change heating up planet — Our planet is getting hotter and dryer. Image generated by Adobe Firefly.

Shipping containers have been around since the 1950’s, see this. The number produced has steadily increased since then. Often sadly cast aside once they have fulfilled their purpose and left to rot, these vessels for global trade take decades to decay.

Eco-friendly sustainable building material structures

At last shipping containers are now being repurposed into eco-friendly structures. A trend that started in Italy in the 1990’s has spread across the globe. It’s a win-win situation for us all. Not only are we finding a use for all those abandoned containers, but we’re also reducing waste and emissions. It’s time to think outside the box, pun intended 😊, and embrace this innovative sustainable building material.

montage shipping containers sustainable building material — Shipping containers are a truly versatile and sustainable building material, used to construct anything from shops and offices to homes and even football stadiums.

Designed with off-grid capabilities, many shipping container structures are utilizing renewable energy sources like solar power and rainwater harvesting. Turned into offices, shipping containers make good cafes, homes, glamping pods and retail units too. There are no limits to what can be achieved when using containers as a sustainable building material.

Reducing construction industry waste

By repurposing old shipping containers for construction projects, we can effectively tackle multiple environmental concerns. Not only does this ingenious approach eliminate the need for new resources, it reduces harmful carbon emissions. On top of this, it prevents containers from deteriorating and polluting our precious environment.

retail domestic industrial sustainable building material shipping container structures montage — Shipping containers can be turned into almost anything you can imagine! Thinking about starting a pop-up café, building offices or creating a garden house? Choose shipping containers as your primary building material and do your bit to protect the environment.

Instead of letting these containers go to waste, we can transform them into functional and sustainable structures. This innovative practice is the commitment needed to drive eco-friendly construction using a sustainable building material. By embracing the potential of repurposed shipping containers we make a positive impact on our planet.

Durability, longevity and sustainability

In a world of fast and disposable, shipping container structures stand tall as the epitome of durability. Designed to withstand at least a quarter of a century of harsh sea voyages, these containers are the champions of longevity. These repurposed giants defy the norm, offering a sustainable solution that doesn’t compromise on style or substance.

durability longevity sustainability shipping container harbour office — Harbour offices on the channel island of Guernsey, able to easily withstand the harshest of storms, built at a fraction of the cost of a traditional bricks and mortar structure, and kinder to the environment.

With shipping container structures you get the full package – durability, sustainability, and a touch of innovation. Join the movement and create a space that will stand the test of time. Making a statement while also supporting a sustainable future for us all.

Summary

Got a project you think is a good fit for us? Reach out to our sales team on the contact form below or call 01606 272875, we’re looking forward to hearing from you. Together, we can build a greener future!