Shipping containers are an abundant resource in the world. If every shipping container in the world were lined up from end to end, then the entire Earth would be circled twice. That is a whole lot of customized shipping containers.
Approximately 17 million shipping containers exist in the world. However not all of them are being used. Of those 17 million, only six million are actively being used for their intended purpose. That means there are 11 million untapped resource blocks that are ignored or forgotten.
Pop Up Containers Are Custom Shipping Containers
Starbucks is credited with pioneering the first pop up container store. As the forerunners of the trend, in 2011 they opened a 450 square foot store made from a pop up container in Washington.
A fear years later others companies would play with the concept as well. In 2015, Taco Bell debuted a 1,080 square foot pop up store. It was made from custom shipping containers as well. Later, in 2017 to be precise, they opened a permanent shipping container restaurant.
Companies aren’t the only entities using shipping containers in exciting ways. Las Vegas is one city that is already utilizing this poorly utilized resource. Downtown Container Park is located in the city’s epicenter. It spans approximately 19,000 square feet. A mix of 30 custom shipping containers and 41 multi-functional modular cubes form its perimeter.
Stats To Ponder On
Shipping containers mostly come in 8 feet wide by 9.5 feet tall; they are generally 20 or 40 feet long depending upon the need. The durable steel used to construct those shipping containers has about a 25 year lifespan with minimal maintenance. Steel containers can last for much longer in after-market applications.
Shipping container modifications can take between five and 12 weeks. For each shipping container recycled, roughly 3,500 kilograms of steel are recovered for immediate use.
Customized shipping containers are just building blocks waiting to be fully utilized. We are only constrained by the creativity and resourcefulness of those that are ready to build with them.