Upcycling a Shipping Container

Recycling and Upcycling are very popular buzzwords at present. At Budget Shipping Containers we work a lot with used containers and we have to build in any recycling efforts into out everyday work.

Why buy in a new end or side panel for a container if we can re-use one that we already have spare in the yard? This may have been largely been born out by commercial rather than environmental factors but its an important part for our ethos nonetheless.

We do however pride ourselves in our capacity to recycle and up-cycle old containers into much more than storage containers.  We have worked with many customers on projects that have helped find new purpose for old containers. These projects have also saved the customer from having to having to install a less environmentally friendly option into their site.

Recycled Smoking Shelters

Starting as a test design in 2012, one of our yards designed and built our very first 10ft smoking shelter. We took the spare section of a 20ft container that was being cut down to 10ft long storage container. Take up for these smoking shelters has been steadily growing since our very first sale. Over the years we have also proven the design and worked with a number of key industry blue chip customers who have helped us hone the design for their own needs.

Made from the main section of a 20ft or 40ft long used shipping container, these smoking shelters are made from approx. average 95% recycled materials (by weight). In some cases the only new materials going into the build will be the cigarette bin, some paint, a bit of box section for new corner posts and edging of the openings, and some welding flux.

All shipping containers are built from a special anti-rust alloy of steel (CORTEN steel). When rust forms on the steel the rust itself forms a protective waterproof barrier. This keeps any further water away from the surface of the metal. So even though these containers are circa 12 years old when we cut them up, you can still expect a significant remaining life.

Shipping Container Kiosk

Kiosks and serveries are another great way to recycle a shipping container. We have supplied many converted units to customers with a variety of uses. Popular with schools, pop up events and sports clubs.

Top Dog Paintball near Norwich were looking for a separate kit room and servery for their site when they approached us.

After some discussion and looking at costs, we came up with our custom built 32ft long double kiosk unit. Made from a used 40ft shipping container this kiosk is made from well over 95% recycled materials by weight. The only new materials being used were some sheet steel for the hatches and some fresh marine grade paint. We also added an off the shelf locking mechanism to provide an additional level of security by fitting a second type of door lock.

This unit fits in extremely well with the military, rural but rustic feel of the whole paintball site. A used 40ft container will always have cosmetic damage. In this case the dents and scratches added to the atmosphere of the site.

Side Opening Container Upcycled into Street Bar

Shipping containers are becoming increasingly popular for use as bars. One example we have helped bring to life was Singha Beer Street Bar. The Thai beer brand was running a street bar for 10 weeks in London.

We supplied them with a side opening shipping container.  This allowed them to have full unobstructed access on one 20ft side. The container was repainted gold inside and out to add to the atmosphere of the event. Repainting a container is a great way to give it a new lease of life!

Creative Cardiff: Office Units

Office containers are also one of our more popular conversions and a great way to upcycle a container. In 2014 Peaceful Progress approached us looking for containers to be used for artists and as community workshops.

We provided ten refurbished shipping containers, all in different colours. The customer was then going to rent out each unit to the Creative Cardiff Community. All 10 containers were repaired and repainted in our Birmingham depot and delivered to Cardiff.

Once the containers were on site, Peaceful Progress had a team of handymen to fit out the inside of the units. They reused and recycled most of their materials (which also helped to keep costs down). The front facia was made from recycled materials. They used old pallets and random bits of wood to create this.

Shipping Container DJ Booth

We have completed a number of shipping container DJ booth conversions over the years. Notably, we supplied a container for storage during Winter and a DJ booth in the Summer for Farr Festival in Hertfordshire.

We also supplied the a DJ booth for the Cricket World Cup in 2019. We also supplied 2 information point containers and 2 storage containers for this project. For this DJ booth conversion, we took a used 20ft container, and repainted the unit in purple. All the units supplied were painted in the same purple RAL so they all matched.

For the DJ booth we cut out two apertures and installed roller shutters on both sides. A personnel door added for easy access and internal electrics fitted too. Once we had completed our work, the container went to a specialist A/V provider. The specialist then added all the DJ equipment and a branding company came to brand the containers.

For new years eve 2025-2026 we also converted 2x one trip (new) 20ft shipping containers into 2 seperate DJ booths for new year celebrations in Edinburgh There were modified with custom repaints, electrics, ply lining and a steel personnel entry door. As all our conversion projects are bespoke, we can design and fit out a container to fit your site, event or setup and to help you get the finish you want from the project.

Contact Us

Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.

If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).