12 Uses for an Old Shipping Container Other Than Transportation

We all have heard of quirky container homes and shops, and by now know well that transporting cargo isn’t the only use of a shipping container. But did you know that a 20-foot shipping container can be easily transformed into a swanky swimming pool? Yes, you heard it right. Let’s discover some more innovative uses of old shipping containers.

Indoor Farms

Due to the land depletion and changing weather patterns, the threat of food shortage is continuously hovering over humanity. In this case, climate-controlled indoor farms can provide a solution. While abandoned buildings can be a good place for indoor gardening, old storage containers are definitely a better alternative.

For example, their internal environment can be easily controlled, which helps to grow delicate crops. Additionally, these containers are stackable. Hence, the yield per square foot of land is higher than in traditional farmlands.

Bridges

Have you heard of the ‘Container Bridge’ at Ariel Sharon Park in Israel? The 160-meter-long overpass, connecting Lod Road to the center of Hiriya Mountain Park, is constructed by laterally joining many used shipping containers. This sturdy structure gives a lot of hope to the people in areas where the construction of traditional bridges is expensive and inconvenient.

Custom-Built Refrigerators

Businesses that require huge cooling units to store perishables can opt for containers equipped with refrigeration units. These are extremely strong, low-maintenance, and have a built-in voltage stabilizer. Plus, they are portable. It’s one of the common uses of old shipping containers in the food industry.

Fire Training Facility

Since steel is non-combustible, used containers provide a safe environment for mock drills carried out by firefighters. These containers prevent the fire from spreading if anything goes wrong.

Schools

Shipping containers can be transformed into additional classrooms easily and without the hustle and bustle. That’s why they are getting more and more popular in African countries where infrastructure is a significant obstacle to receiving an education.

Because these container schools are portable, they can be operated in remote places where children are forced to travel long distances to get to the classroom. It’s one of the best examples of how to use old shipping containers for socially important initiatives.

Emergency Hospitals

As it is the case with container schools, portable container hospitals are another efficient way to use an old shipping container for handling challenging tasks. They really proved to be a boon for the places with no access to quality healthcare.

Moreover, the use of old shipping containers appears to be a great option in war zones as well. Mobile medical facility rooms are in great demand due to their low cost and operational functionality.

Swimming Pools

Since the containers are long and narrow, they can be easily turned into a cozy swimming pool. It’s a perfect reuse idea for 20 and 40-foot units, especially during hot summer days. They are portable and do not require any digging or additional permission.

Portable Toilets

Portable container toilets are great for outdoor events and construction sites. These can serve as showers and even toilets when needed, and easily be fitted with water inlets and sewerage ducts. As you can see, old shipping container uses are very diverse.

Refurbished Furniture

All the above requires containers in pretty good condition. But what about the used containers that are severely damaged? Well, they can be used as scraps to create customized furniture pieces – from office desks to luxurious sofas.

Public Library

An initiative like this plays a vital role in society, raising awareness about the importance of knowledge, being accessible to the public — a perfect place to chill with a book and a cup of coffee.

As you can see, libraries are a rare phenomenon nowadays, so it’d be great to create a safe space, where people can dive into their favorite stories. And old shipping containers redesigned into welcoming libraries will give the reading trend a new rise.

Pop-up Retail

With shipping containers at disposal, temporary pop-up retail is an efficient and feasible way to create an engaging shopping experience for the users. Today, pop-up retail stores have become a booming business, leaving traditional shopping malls and big-box stores behind. Nowadays, brands like Amazon, Macy’s, and Fila take advantage of pop-up shops to create and promote their brands.

You may even use an old container to create a space dedicated to special events, for example, food carts for festivals, galas, or sport events, etc.

Getaway Retreat

A getaway retreat is a functional shell that can be repurposed according to the needs of the user, a perfect place to get out of town on the weekend. You can also convert it into a prototyped module called ‘nomad living’ that serves as a mobile, economical, and sustainable getaway retreat.

Or you can even turn that into an artificial jacuzzi to pamper your sore body after a tiring day at work. With industrial and urbanistic tendencies in modern design, this unusual use of cargo transportation units gets more and more popular.

Final Thoughts

While industrial use of shipping containers is quite common, it’s always nice to break the limits and go beyond the borders. There are many extraordinary alternatives for the use of old shipping containers. You just need a little imagination and a bit of skill.

If you already have an idea for the creative use of shipping containers and are searching for an old unit to complete your project, Pelican Containers will guide you through all the necessary stages. As an experienced and well-known distributor of new and used shipping containers, the company has a wide range of units in different shapes and sizes. Contact them to get professional advice and assistance in choosing a used shipping container to match your needs and budget.