3 Ways to Repurpose Shipping Containers in Times of Crisis
Like many Americans, those of us in the shipping container industry have had a wake-up call over the last few weeks. We’ve learned that we cannot rest on our laurels and that even in the best of times, we must plan for the worst. In good times, my customers use their shipping containers for storage of tools and equipment, at job sites, for home renovations and even for storage of additional inventory for retail. Over the past 16 years that I’ve been in business, I’ve seen some very creative ways to repurpose shipping containers, and I’d like to share a few here.
SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR GROWING and FARMING
As I walk through the local stores prior to a big snowstorm and now with the global pandemic, it’s not difficult to imagine our world without food. Repurposed shipping containers as container farms are becoming popular for this reason. They are modular and easy to ship, compact and self-contained, and cheap and widely available. The compact form factor with high ceilings allows growing trays to be stacked and containers can be modified with lighting, temperature and humidity control. These shipping containers work great in climates where growing seasons are short or where land is at a premium.
SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR EMERGENCY STORAGE and DRIVE-THRU WINDOWS
In times of national crisis, we must get creative with our resources, and sometimes that requires stockpiling goods that will be needed for the future such as medical devices, gloves, masks and other necessities. Storage containers provide the perfect temporary space for these needs.
In places where a remote office may be required, storage containers can be modified with doors, windows and even drive-up windows. They can also be locked safely at night to ensure the security of container contents. These modified containers can be set-up quickly and can be placed anywhere to be able to serve people in nearly any location such as a Wal-Mart parking lot or a remote rural pasture.
SHIPPING CONTAINER CLINICS, TRIAGE TENTS and MEDICAL WASTE STORAGE
During natural disasters and national emergencies, shipping containers are often used for non-traditional purposes such as medical clinics, triage ‘tents’ and medical waste storage. Modified containers can be placed anywhere such as a hospital parking lot or side street providing nearly instant additional capacity for testing, office staff, or simply to prevent the sick from entering into the building where they may infect others.
For more information on ways to repurpose or modify shipping containers, please visit our blog where we regularly share our tips and tricks.
