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It seems as though there is a constant supply of news stories about climate change that make it seem like every day we are accelerating towards an inevitable environmental Doomsday. It has gotten to the point where the sound of David Attenborough’s voice can cause tears of anxiety for polar bears, permafrost, and the circle of life.
While change needs to come quickly, there is a huge opportunity for individuals to get creative with the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). This extends into construction, an industry that accounts for about 40% of worldwide energy usage. So the growing trend of repurposing existing materials is a great way to help. With that in mind, we’ve partnered with GlampingHub and found some of the best recycled, up-cycled, and refurbished accommodations across the globe. A stay in any of these is not only fun but helps the planet too:
Converted Grain Silo in Illinois
Fitting perfectly into the Illinois farmland, this silo has received a second life as a unique accommodation with a quaint B&B feel. Originally a container for grain in the 1950s, the glamping site is still on an operational farm. The hosts offer home-cooked meals to everyone who stays with them, or guests can capitalize on the BBQ or fire pit on the silo’s porch to make their own food.
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Pipe Rooms Near Mexico City
Only about an hour south of Mexico City, this glamping resort is amongst some of the most geographically diverse areas in Mexico. There are three national parks that are even closer than Mexico City, and have sites like forested mountains, lakes, and ruins of an Aztec temple once dedicated to a god of alcohol. The rooms, as their name suggests, are built into the interior of large cement pipes. Queen size beds are tucked cozily inside, but outside, the resort has an infinity pool to let guests enjoy the sun.
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Reclaimed Vacation Rental in Texas
Smack dab in the middle of Austin and Houston, in an area with lots of romantic cabins, this spot presents a different image of what a cabin could be. The cluster of up-cycled shipping containers has nearly no carbon footprint and each is decorated with reclaimed lumber, salvaged windows, while the countertops are made from wood from old bowling lanes. Accommodating five people, this is a good spot for families to get away from bigger cities. Located in a town of only 90 people, visitors can expect a lot of quality outdoors or relaxation time.
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Sleep in a Boeing 727 in Costa Rica
Once upon a time this vintage Boeing 727 was used by airlines in South Africa and Colombia for commercial flights. Rather than being rejected in a dump somewhere, the plane now protrudes out of the Costa Rican jungle and gives guests amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. The refurbished 727 has two air-conditioned rooms from which it is not uncommon to catch glimpses of toucans and monkeys in the jungle canopy. The plane is located on the grounds of Hotel Costa Verde.
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Repurposed Boat Getaway in California
Located in Shoshone, California it might seem strange to have a getaway built with two repurposed boats when not on the coast of California. Instead, this artistic home is located near Death Valley, the desert national park that is well known for being the hottest and one of the driest places on Earth. The home is decorated with kitschy and very eclectic art and furniture. It doubles as something of a gallery as all of the art pieces are for sale.
For an alternative eco-friendly place to crash in Shoshone, this property is a home made of recycled bottles with calm, hippie vibes.
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Refurbished Container Near Bogotá
Shipping container and romance don’t exactly seem like they should be thrown around in the same sentence. But this Colombian refurbished container is sure to make guests rethink that. Perfectly sized for two, a couple can cozy up in a room warmed by an indoor fire pit while enjoying uninhibited views of the Tomine Reservoir below. We would also recommend whipping up a meal for two, sipping on some wine, and enjoying the patio while taking in the green hills that make Colombia’s countryside famous.
Up-cycled Containers in Florida
Containers are popular muses for creating up-cycled accommodations because they have a limited industrial shelf life, meaning there’s a surplus of empty containers sitting unused across the globe. This eco-retreat has taken a few of the wasted materials to create one of the best glamping opportunities in Florida. Thanks to its location on the Loxahatchee River, every guest is treated to a complimentary kayak trip where they can explore the 1,000-acre wildlife park across the river from their eco escape.
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Beachfront Retrofitted Container in Portugal
This retrofitted shipping container could be the future of beach bungalows. Something about the recycled materials, location, and colorful interior make it seem like a perfect hangout for a stereotypical surfer. That said, the building is not the only thing that makes it environmentally-friendly. All of the electricity is produced from solar and wind energy, and much of the water used on-site is collected during the rainy winter season. After a day on the beach, grilling on the deck as the sun goes down is unbeatable — the sunset views are the metaphorical cherry on top of the already ideal vacation rental.
Portuguese Alternatives: These shipping container tree houses are a part of a 20-year-old glamping site resting above the convergence of two rivers inside of a national park. Meanwhile, this campervan is one of the cooler converted spaces, having made a home out of an old truck. Finally, this cottage on Madeira is flooded with colorful light as much of the wall space is made from old wine bottles.
Barn Silo Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
We start and end with cool silo conversions. This particular silo is just 30 minutes north of the US’s most visited national park along its Tennessee border. Because this is a full-sized silo, there are four stories connected by a spiraling rustic staircase and the top floor bedroom has views overlooking the treetops bordering the farm. Additionally, due to its tall cylindrical shape and use of wood and cement, it feels more like staying in a castle turret than in a repurposed barn.
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