The cargo container has revolutionized the way the global economy works and has not only created a more efficient method of international trade, it’s become an underlying constant to stem growth of international gross domestic product. It’s commonly talked about how the invention of the cargo container has had this huge impact, but the effects on our environment, not always bad, have also been significant and should be addressed.
One of the most positive aspects of the shipping container when it comes to global transport is the fact that these cargo boxes are manufactured to be some of the strongest modular structures in the world and therefore the amount of cargo that one unit can carry over it’s lease term is astounding. These ocean freight containers are being built to carry cargo, and do so for 10 years or more, then can become part of an entirely new world of portable storage, portable offices, disaster relief shelters, structures and housing to name just a few. Point being is that the shipping container is the epitome of recycling and repurposing. There is something to be said for one structure that is manufactured in Asia carries cargo for huge multinational companies for more than a decade and is then repurposed multiple times, all the while having the potential of being someones home one day! We can learn from this concept, though not a new one, it seems to be lost in translation on smaller scale efforts. Some of these gigantic manufacturing industries need to be more conscientious of their product from the outset, creating something that can be used through multiple phases, with many different functions.
Environmental Efforts
Shipping
Going over percentages and numbers as they relate to Cargo Container Ships and Maritime transport can be staggering at first glance and is often misleading. Cargo Container Ships are actually some of the most carbon efficient means of transporting cargo – and with most of the world’s manufactured goods being carried by ship, this process is most definitely on the right track. The increased efficiency has also led to environmental benefits associated with the movement of cargo. Regulatory efforts on emissions by the World Shipping Council (WSC) are also leading to what could be drastic change in the output of Co2 and other harmful gases
One of the primary concerns with Cargo Container Transport has been Vessel Discharge. Ballast water, gray and black water are all forms of discharge that are routinely released off the liners. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a set of guidelines that will help regulate vessel discharge to an extent where the impact on invasive marine species is lessened significantly.
Recycling
Shipping containers repurposed for housing
Millions of cargo containers are used throughout the international supply chain and are used and repurposed many many times after their shipping life has expired. Shipping containers for sale has created an auxiliary industry for containers being reutilized typically as storage containers. Storage containers for sale throughout the united states and the world. Beyond repurposing, it is now possible to recycle almost 99% of most containers to make new steel products. The portable storage industry has taken the cargo container and created a streamlined product that end users have embraced as an affordable, viable and environmentally sound method for mobile storage of goods.
New Materials
Floors of cargo containers have typically been manufactured using tropical hardwoods. It takes approximately two cubic meters of hardwood to floors for three 40’ Containers. The cargo container industry uses roughly 1.5 million cubic meters of hardwood per year to meet global demand. There is an obvious change that needs to take place within this area of the container world. Some of the largest shipping lines have vowed to only buy containers that use “responsible forestry” in their manufacturing. Change has already started to take place with more sustainable floor types being used and new products being tested constantly.
This is all we can hope for, is that the industry recognizes their misgivings and works diligently to alleviate the problems that have severe impacts on our environment.
Grandfolia is a locally owned and operated business that designs, sells, leases and maintains interior plant-scapes for the Santa Barbara, CA and Ventura, CA areas. Container Alliance can undoubtedly agree that having plants has a calming effect and can change a drab space into an area full of vitality. Grandfolia makes this a reality. Recently, Grandfolia requested to have Container Alliance create a storage and workshop space from a 40’ shipping container.
Container Alliance went to the drawing board with a used 40’ shipping container and created corrugated French doors from the containers siding. Container Alliance also added two skylights equally placed on the roof to allow natural light into the container. After modifications were finished the container was painted bright white in order to reflect UV rays off the container to keep the interior cooler during daylight hours. This container houses all the supplies that need to be kept in a dry and safe place. The 40’ Shipping container provides a huge amount of storage space on the nursery grounds in an economical way. Instead of building something from raw materials, Grandfolia saw value in creating something that is from recycled material that can be moved to another location if necessary. Container Alliance modified a steel-shipping container, which is now being used for a different purpose all together. In a fraction of the time, Grandfolia has storage solution that is guaranteed to be wind and water tight and secure. It is also beneficial in terms of a storage solution because shipping containers are transportable; If Grandfolia ever needs to move the storage container to another location on their property or transport it somewhere else it can be done with ease.
Container Alliance is thrilled to see customers who come up with unique ideas to help their business prosper and enjoys helping along the way.
Grandfolia provides beautiful plants and flowers to local residential and office locations they provide a product and service that must be dependable, as plants tend to diminish if not cared for properly. Grandfolia is known for quality products and service and will be providing quality for years to come. For more information please visit www.grandfolia.com
The Container Alliance’s Shipping Sustainability Strategies Are – Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle
Container Alliance understands what it means to be “sustainable and green.” Since 2007, we’ve been in the business of reducing waste, transportation costs, energy expenditures and storage needs by reusing our shipping and storage containers for countless uses.
The nature of our business model, selling, leasing, and releasing storage containers and shipping containers, could be considered one of the newest and fastest growing sustainable businesses. Container Alliance is happy to help businesses, large and small, with logistics help and direction through our container management services featuring sustainable shipping containers. We work with some of the largest leasing companies and shipping lines to re-purpose the containers that are coming off lease as well as working with an individual who no longer has a use for the storage container or shipping container that they already own. We approach each situation with the same attitude and philosophy regardless of the size or situation.
Our companies’ philosophies for environmental responsibility can best be described with three words: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle. More details of our sustainable process are listed below.
Reduce Organic Material Consumption
Container Alliance’s containers or any ISO container for that matter can decrease the need for one-way packaging, as well as for straps, wooden pallets, and other moving materials that usually end up in landfills as the final step in their production process. Our reusable shipping containers reduce the unnecessary use of wood, trees, and the organic and inorganic materials used in packaging.
Reuse Storage And Shipping Containers
Each and every Container Alliance shipping & storage container is reusable for multiple customers’ benefits. When shipping containers make their way back to a Container Alliance Partner, we inspect, repair, clean, and store those same containers for the next client’s intended use. If they come back damaged beyond repair, these containers are sent to our recycling partners to ensure the reuse of the materials in a next generation of products.
We will buy back containers from not only leasing companies or shipping lines but from end users or small businesses. Contact Us today for a buyback estimate.
Recycle Storage And Shipping Containers
Container Alliance Partnerships is committed to keeping our shipping containers from ending up in landfills or littering the countryside. When we replace old shipping containers for our clients we offer a free service that includes transporting the container to the nearest recycling center where the containers are broken down into raw material to be re-used or recycled.
This service provides a huge savings of time and energy for our clients, so they don’t have to worry about disposing of it themselves and insures that they will be disposed of properly in an environmentally sound facility. This is our way making our planet a more sustainable place.
Give us a call at (888) 856-5084 for more information about our shipping container rental services and container management solutions, or click on this link to Get a quote now.
Grandfolia is a locally owned and operated business that designs, sells, leases and maintains interior plant-scapes for the Santa Barbara, CA and Ventura, CA areas. Container Alliance can undoubtedly agree that having plants has a calming effect and can change a drab space into an area full of vitality. Grandfolia makes this a reality. Recently, Grandfolia requested to have Container Alliance create a storage and workshop space from a 40’ shipping container.
The Container Alliance’s Shipping Sustainability Strategies Are – Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle