The Green Kiosk - Reusing the ubiquitous shipping container for micro-enterprise

Shipping containers are more likely to conjure the image of an endless supply of toy s and trinkets for the big-box isles than of open air markets and micro-enterprise. But the fairly standard size and durable steal structure make containers ideal for open air vendor kiosks. They are highly transportable, cheap, and because you are re-using an existing steal structure as opposed to requiring the mining and smelting of new steal, they are green. Shipping containers are made of durable steal so they can be loaded with any type of solid material, stacked nine high, and exposed to the harsh climates of the open ocean. Re-cycling these containers has long been the work of scrap metal experts and the occasional green builder. However, one of the most interesting new uses might be kiosk conversions. Because the United States has had a massive import/export deficit over the past few decades we have hundreds of thousands of abandoned containers stacked in ports around the country. Companies tend to abandon containers after 8-10 years of service because they can no longer depreciate their value. So despite their durable construction, used shipping containers can cost less than $2,000, delivered! Of course, at 8 ½’X 20’ on the small end, they are far too wide to sit on a sidewalk, but could be ideal for fair grounds, farmers markets, urban squares or parks, roadside or even at large worksites. And they don’t have to be ugly square boxes. Illy coffee recently previewed a fancy, café in a box at New York’s Columbus Circle (see photo). In Africa, shipping container kiosks are used to sell everything from Coca Cola to cell phones and a new solar cell phone charging station sponsored by Motorola is just the most recent innovation. It’s clear that shipping containers could find a better use than sitting on docks in Long Beach, California, Houston, Texas or Savannah, Georgia and some other creative initiatives are taking shape. However the clear benefit they provide for durable, transportable kiosk is hard overlook. Now we just have to convince the regulators.