‘Upcycling’ containers to benefit the community

While the term
‘upcycling’ is often used
to describe the conversion
of old unwanted items
into valuable new items,
at Safmarine upcycling
has come to represent far
more than the conversion
from old into new – it also
involves uplifting and
positively impacting the
lives of those using the
upcycled items.
And that’s exactly what
Safmarine has been doing
with its Containers in the
Community programme
for close on 20 years, long
before upcycling became a
popular trend.
“Our focus right
from the start of the
programme (which was
launched in 1992), has
been on converting
decommissioned shipping
containers into muchneeded
infrastructure
and doing so in a way
that makes a positive
difference in the lives
of the communities they
serve,” explains Lea-
Anne Moses-Magerman,
PR and CSI manager for
Safmarine.
“Twenty years later
we’re as committed to
uplifting others in need
by ensuring all our
container conversions are
environmentally sound
and make a positive,
sustainable contribution in
the communities in which
they are located.
“Equally important
is ensuring that the
communities benefit
from far more than the
infrastructural investment,
which is why we have
begun working with
socially responsive
industrial designers to
maximise the positive
and environmental impact
of our container-based
community projects,” says
Moses-Magerman.
Recent examples of the
use of creative design in
Safmarine’s container
projects are the upgrade
of the Velokhaya cycling
clubhouse in Khayelitsha,
a sport and afterschool
facility in Piketberg, and
a designer classroom
for pre-schoolers in the
community of Vissershok
outside Cape Town.
A number of creative
and environmentally
sound projects are also
currently under way,
all supported by
Safmarine’s customers.