It is a great thing that people are becoming highly concerned about the environment and the planet. There are stringent efforts taken by people to take care of the planet in all aspects. With the increased awareness about the environment, people have started focusing on reducing the carbon footprint that actually ruins the environment.
One major way to reduce the carbon footprint and take care of the Earth is through recycling. There are many materials that can be recycled such as paper, glass, metals and plastic. When it comes to the construction industry, using the shipping containers for building is the best way to save the environment.
Numerous cargo ship containers can be found abandoned in shipyards but these can still be used in a great way. Many people have opted for this growing trend as it is possible to recycle these containers and transform them into great looking homes. Well, here is a guide that details the environmental benefits of the shipping container enclosures.
Recycling Intermodal Shipping Containers
Shipping containers are designed to be durable and long lasting. And, during their lifespan, these containers travel several thousands of miles across the world. When the shipping container owner maintains them well, it is possible to make them last for even a decade. But as we live in a disposable society, people trend to replace old things when they buy new ones. This applies to the shipping containers as well.
As there are numerous shipping containers up for sale, it is possible to recycle them and use them for various purposes. One best way to give life to these is by building container homes. These homes offer several benefits such as,
- Environment friendly
- Unique looks
- Functional and flexible
- Affordable
- Durable
Shipping Container Enclosures are Like Building Blocks
Designing an environment friendly home is possible with the use of shipping containers. These container enclosures are considered to be building blocks that are stacked together similar to the building blocks that children play with. These can be stacked either side by side or one on top of the other as per the requirement. It is possible to build a custom living space by creating large open rooms. This is possible to achieve by placing the containers side by side and taking off the internal walls.
Besides being restricted to homes, the shipping containers can be used for container site office structures as well. It is possible to weld the containers together to create a multiple story structure that is sturdy. People can create bespoke homes that are unique and eco-friendly with shipping containers.
Container Enclosures Use Less Cement and Concrete
The process of manufacturing cement and concrete is harmful to the environment. So, using recycled shipping containers to build a structure is definitely environment friendly. It is still important to use concrete but it will be used only to lay the foundation, which causes less harm. The amount of concrete depends on the size and structure of the building. If it is a taller building, then it will require more foundation to support its overall weight.
Reduced Carbon Footprint is No More a Dream
In addition to building shipping container enclosures using recycled containers, it is also possible to reduce the carbon footprint by incorporating other such recycled products. In tropical climates, wooden shingles made using sustainable sources or recycled materials can be used to cover the exterior of the building. Even plants with large bushes or trees can be used to give shade to the building from the sunny climate.
Adding an external roof in order to provide shade is also a feasible option. This can be done by installing solar panels to reduce the energy consumption. Though solar panels aren’t sufficient to generate all the power that is needed, it can be used to power some appliances, which will reduce the use of electricity at least to a specific level. Some of the notably things that can help in achieving an eco-friendly home are,
- Rainwater harvesting
- Recycling bins
- Compost heap
- Vegetable and fruit garden
Get Enough Space for a Garden
Eco-friendly homes constructed using recycled shipping containers help in creating enough space for a garden that can grow vegetables and fruits. The organic waste that is disposed of can be placed on the compost heap, which fertilizes the garden. It is also possible to collect the rainwater and use the same to water the garden. If everyone makes the effort to create a garden in your home, it is possible to achieve a greener Earth.
Affordable Homes
An eco-friendly container enclosure made out of recycled shipping containers will definitely be great. In addition to being environment friendly, such homes are also affordable as these are built using recycled and reused materials. And, the overall carbon footprint is also lowered as such homes will be installed with solar panels and high-quality insulation.
Faster and Easier to Build
When it comes to construction of container enclosures, time will not be a major concern as such structures are easier and faster to build. It would not take a long time to construct shipping container homes and container site office structures as there is minimal effort needed to raise such structures.
Though there are many environmental advantages associated with such homes, these are not perfect ones. One major downside is that these homes are considered to be temporary shelters by many people. As the containers are not too spacious, it will result in less free space for the occupants. The notable aspect is that these container homes need expensive steel reinforcements when they are stacked together.
Shipping container homes have several notable environmental benefits. Such structures reduce the carbon footprint and pave way to the use of more recycled and eco-friendly products that contribute to a greener Earth. You can check Stiuae, container manufacturers in dubai for the benefits of shipping container homes.
