‘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.