Last Updated on September 9, 2022 by teamobn
There are literally tens of thousands of unwanted shipping containers piling up around the world. They are a direct reflection of globalization where it is cheaper to import than to manufacture. And, unfortunately, it often costs more to ship an empty container back to its port of origin than the container is worth.
In some port cities, container stacks are becoming an urban nightmare. This is a huge environmental issue, as these shipping containers can take up a lot of space in landfills.
This has led to a massive problem with container waste, as many of these shipping containers are simply abandoned once they are no longer needed.
It is important to find a way to recycle or reuse these containers so that they do not end up causing more harm than good.
While few would suggest that a container is a thing of beauty, it’s amazing what a little imagination and effort can achieve. With a little creativity, containers can be transformed into stunning works of art that are sure to impress.
Local government restrictions are the biggest challenge container homeowners face. Many cities have laws that prohibit people from living in shipping containers, so it can be difficult to find a place to put your container home. Even if you do find a place to put it, you may have to get a special permit or variances from the city.
There is a pervasive perception that neighbourhoods are littered with rusting, lop-sided containers. This is due to the fact that many people do not properly dispose of their garbage, resulting in unsightly and potentially hazardous conditions.
We have collected pictures of how some of these shipping containers were upcycled! The gallery here will hopefully inspire you to take up the cause of container living, even if you have no desire to live in one yourself!
Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox. You can also view the images as a slideshow if you prefer 😎
You’ll find the full details of these recycled shipping containers here:
- Activity Room in Dongguan – Yueyijian
- The Keetwonen Student Container Housing Project – Shipping Containers 24
- Solaris Shipping Container Bar in Linz – Notcot
- Puma City by Lot-Ek Architecture & Design – Lot-Ek Architecture & Design
- Shipping Container Pool – Lion Containers Ltd
- Citihub 2011 – OLX
- Adocks Student Housing by Alberto Cattani – Modulable
- Container House in Atlanta, Georgia – Runkle Consulting Inc.
- Recycled Shipping Container with Green Roof – Garden Propaganda
- Containers of Hope – Benjamin Garcia Saxe
- Container Guest House – Archilovers
- Container Guest House – Archilovers
- Shipping Container Coop+Run and Shed Project – Just Fine Design Build
- A Steel Cargo Container Becomes a Backyard Retreat by Ruth Mullen – The Oregonian
- Garden Room Made of Shipping Containers – Design Like
- Recycled Shipping Container Homes – Best of Remodeling
- Container Homes in the City of Timbo – Sergio Luiz Zanella
- Mobile Police Station by Gesamtkonzept – Dezeen
- Tsai Design Studio – Arch Daily
- Off-Grid Malawi School by A4AC – Gizmag
- Shipping Container Livestock Barn – Renaissance Ronin
- Shipping Container Barn – Houzz
- Port-a-Bach by Bonnifait + Giesen: Atelierworkshop – Architizer
- Port-a-Bach by Bonnifait + Giesen: Atelierworkshop – Architizer
- Port-a-Bach by Bonnifait + Giesen: Atelierworkshop – Architizer
- Starbucks Opens New Reclamation Drive Thru Made From Recycled Shipping Containers – Inhabitat
- Zia Pina Pizzeria, The Rocks – The Adventures of Miss Piggy
- Container Shops – The New Hot Trend In Modern Retailing! – Shanghai Metal Corporation
- Aether Store in San Francisco – Aether Apparel
- Contemporary Shipping Container Buildings – Giesen Design
- Small Container Cabin – Gurukrupa Fabrications
- Container Homes in the City of Timbo – Sergio Luiz Zanella
- Green Shipping Container Buildings – Giesen Design
- Ready Made Container – 200 Box