In 2015, Taco Bell debuted a 1,080 square foot pop-up store made from a shipping container and opened a permanent shipping container store in California at the beginning of 2017. Since then, experiential marketing campaigns have been popping up all over the country, and many times, modified shipping containers can help. For each recycled shipping container, around 3,500 kilograms of steel is being reused, making customized shipping containers inherently sustainable for all intents and purposes. But if you want to take your project a bit further in regards to overall sustainability, we can help. Here are just a few tips to help your modified shipping container store as eco-friendly as possible.
Keep an Eye on the Temperature
First, try to think of your modified shipping container as a mini or modular home: if you want to increase sustainability, it starts with the thermostat. Try to keep temperatures moderate so that you don’t need to expend a lot of extra energy to keep the heat or air conditioning running 24/7. To determine the proper temperature, make sure to consider how long guests and visitors stay at the event, on average. Even slight cutbacks in temperature-related energy usage can have an impact on overall sustainability.
Turn Off Devices When Not in Use
Whether you need your modified shipping containers for one day or for several weeks or months, it helps to be conscious of the other energy you’re using on a daily basis. Unplug unnecessary devices when they’re not in use.
Use Eco-Friendly Paints/Cleaning Supplies
Finally, try to be conscious of the toxins and harmful chemicals that may be sneakily hidden in any paints and cleaning products used to renovate or maintain the shipping container. There are countless sustainable solutions available, many of which can be created yourself with some simple and all-natural ingredients. This is also beneficial for anyone who steps inside the shipping container, as these chemicals linger in the air and negatively impact air quality. They can even trigger asthma and allergies in some people.
Ultimately, knowing how to execute your experiential marketing event sustainably can help to boost customer retention and satisfaction as well, especially through the use of modified shipping containers. For more information about custom shipping containers, contact IPME.