Three New, Modern Uses for Cargo Storage Containers and Why

1. July 4, 2017 Three New, Modern Uses for Cargo Storage Containers and Why Alternative uses for cargo storage containers are now all the rage. While small and large homes built from used or new shipping containers hardly raise any eyebrows anymore, there are other uses you may not be aware of. Learn about three new ways that shipping containers are used to provide new space solutions for healthcare, disaster operations, and food production. Page | 1

2. Portable Hospitals Due to the durability and portability of cargo storage containers, they are now being repurposed as hospitals and clinics. A Massachusetts organization, Containers2Clinics (C2C), turned two 8’ by 20’ shipping containers into maternal care clinics for remote areas. These clinics were first used in Haiti after an earthquake destroyed Grace Children's Hospital in 2011. The inward ward offers primary and preventative services for hundreds of children with HIV, tuberculosis, and many other illnesses. Two containers can include exam rooms, a small pharmacy, and a laboratory with microscopes, refrigerator, and basic diagnostic tools. Health care institutions can also easily set up shipping container clinics in disaster-struck areas for emergency situations, especially when calamities have destroyed medical infrastructures. Disaster Shelters Disasters, whether manmade or natural, often require immediate shelter for affected individuals and families. Many people who lose their homes because of earthquakes and storms would need temporary shelters until they can get back to their feet and reconstruct their properties. The need to provide shelter is especially important for children, senior citizens, and other groups with health vulnerabilities. Government and nonprofit organizations are re- modifying cargo storage containers as disaster shelters because they are tough, practical, portable and can be easily modified into homes with basic facilities for sleeping and personal hygiene. Urban Farms Steel boxes are being converted into urban farms as well because they can be efficient farm machines. Shawn Cooney created Corner Stalk Farms wherein four containers can grow around 30,000 lettuce heads, herbs, and other leafy vegetables. As previous freezer containers, they have good insulation too which protects plants from intense cold or heat. Inside these steel urban farms, LED lamps provide light for soil-less farming. In addition, every 12 minutes, plants in peat moss receive nutrient-dense water for faster growth. Urban farms in boxes can offer a feasible solution to food production problems caused by harsh weather. Furthermore, these boxes can help communities grow healthy, accessible, and affordable food. Page | 2

3. Never put your imagination in a box again, well, at least don’t limit it. Think about the main features of durability, portability, and practicality of cargo storage containers and you can repurpose it into other new ways. For a reliable supply of quality containers, contact a company that will allow you to see products before they are delivered as well as customize them for you to reduce construction time. About EquipmentManagementServices.com: Equipment Management Services offers new, used, and repurposed cargo storage containers. To assure product quality, you can also inspect them prior to ordering. For added convenience, we can deliver one or hundreds of containers to your doorstep and we offer them at very competitive prices. Sources: “This farm in a box generates $15,000 a month” Money.CNN.com “Top 26 InnovativeUses of Shipping Containers,” MarineInsight.com Page | 3