The newest cargo ships can hold 18,000 20-foot cargo containers. This sounds like a lot, but it’s only a small fraction of the many millions of containers that are currently in service around the world.
While the Conex container has revolutionized the way we do international logistics, it has created one problem. What happens to all of these containers when they’re no longer suitable for shipping purposes?
This influx of containers has led people to get creative.
Affordable Housing
The most popular alternative use is to create affordable housing. This is being done in two ways. The first is to make individual tiny homes out of one or two containers.
Whole neighborhoods of these small homes are getting built across the United States. The hope is that it will provide a solution to the lack of affordable housing that’s happening in many of our larger cities.
Another way housing is getting built is to create a shipping container box apartment building. Several shipping containers get stacked to create an entire apartment complex.
Emergency Services
Conex boxes are getting turned into portable emergency response units. This could be an office to serve as the headquarters for an emergency response relief effort. It could also serve as a bathroom or shower station.
Another newer purpose is a mobile hospital unit. Several service bays get built with hospital beds. Then the entire unit gets stocked with supplies and shipped to whoever needs medical relief.
Grow Room
The long and narrow shape of shipping containers makes them the perfect shape for a grow room, nursery, or indoor garden. Inside the container, you can construct several levels for your plants to grow on. All you need to do is add an air circulation system and grow lights.
What’s even better is that multiple containers can be stacked for multiple growing spaces. Each one can have its own heating and humidity controls. This enables you to grow a wide variety of plants in a compact space.
Guest House
You love having friends and relatives visit, but having them stay over in your home isn’t ideal. This is when having a shipping container guest house comes in handy. Place the container on your property and give your guests a private place for them to stay.
The guest house doesn’t have to be a complete apartment. You could have a bedroom, bathroom, and sitting area.
Purchase Your Own Conex Container
As you can see, the uses for Conex containers are limitless. They provide you with affordable and durable building material. All you need to do is modify it to suit your intended use.
This could be as simple as cutting a few doors and windows. It could require a complete built-out with electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and drywall.
Interesting Related Article: “How to Personalize the Style of a Flat Pack Container Home“