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As I understand it there are tens (maybe hundreds) of thousands of these things just sitting and waiting for someone to buy them for cheap. I admit I have not pursued the subject for a while but they are not recycled into new containers. I did read a story recently where someone has developed a collapsable container that will allow more empty ones to be returned for new loads and cut down of ocean crossings (to the tune of like 10,000 a year).
I get where you are coming from to a point and I am willing to pursue your angle so I question whether it is cheaper to build the main structure from something that exist or from scratch from wood (or whatever). There is something attractive about taking existing structures, piecing them together and then just dealing with the interior spaces or layout. It's certain worthy of discussion.
-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/
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My point is that containers are recycled back into steel, which is made back into new containers, cars, ships, etc. Recycled steel is more of a sustainable product than simply using a container as a house, isn't it?
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Recycling is only as good as the ABILITY to recycle the product, economically....
If a container is in an area with steel mills, then it is fairly economical to recycle it... if it is one, two or four thousand miles from a steel mill, then there is no cost incentive to ship it back... some containers are only manufactured for single shipment (some of the odder sizes would fall into that category) and some are not even steel (there have been ads the past few weeks for carbon fiber ones - gosh & the military had that huge plane here a few weeks ago.... I wonder....)
A big problem on the islands is that a container that is no longer sea worthy really is stuck here... unless there are useful things to do with these here (and there are even posters here that have resurrected used containers) then their fate is to rust away.....
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My husband is going to call some of his contacts there on island soon about availability.
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Here's a place on Oahu:
http://www.affordableportablehousing.com/matson.html
Seems high to me as I've seen containers on the mainland going for about $1500 for a used 40'.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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The old containers are sent for recycling. Although they may no longer be usable for shipping goods, they are loaded with scrap metal and banded. So the container destined for the recycler is also being used one last time to ship other scrap metal for recycling. When they reach their destination, they are just added to the pile. Look at some of the ships and you’ll see ugly banged-up containers with metal bands around them, those are the containers hauling scrap metal going to the smelter. Not a bad way to kill two birds with one stone.
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Cool link Eight. Thanks. Clicked through to some Bob Villa stuff from there too.
-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/
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I have a friend in Fern Acres that bought their 40' container and made a great "containdo" while they build. The said that they can even get a permit for it, after the house is finished. I think it has to have a roof built over it. Her husband, who had some experience in transportation, got theirs with a new seaworthiness certificate, and a teak floor, for under $4000. As long as my other half doesn't see those videos.....his heart is set on getting one for a shop...I'd rather have a greenhouse.
We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our
exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the
place for the first time.
-T.S. Eliot
Peace and long life
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Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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Carol I love ya! Now to start going through all of these links
Radiopeg - both cool ideas!
-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/
