Why U-Haul Uses Old Buildings

adaptive reuse

Long before being eco-friendly was “in” U-Haul has been helping the environment by reusing old buildings!

Water, energy and other resources are conserved through one of U-Haul Company’s many sustainability initiatives: Adaptive Reuse. A fundamental policy in U-Haul Property Development is to rehabilitate existing buildings in lieu of building anew. Building Conversions allow U-Haul to promote infill development to quickly meet citizens’ needs while preserving the natural resources and land normally required for new construction. Just about any unused commercial building is ideal to reuse as a U-Haul Center; anything from factories to grocery stores to even gas stations!adaptive reuse

Not only does retrofitting existing buildings help the environment, it also preserves the historic architecture and culture of that community. For example, the  U-Haul Moving & Storage of Candlestick in California was formerly a Planter’s Peanut factory nestled in the Bay Area. Once Planters moved out in 1978 U-Haul purchased and converted this building to a vital resource for the area. Compared to building from the ground up, this sustainable reuse provided the following benefits to this San Francisco community:

  • 1,801 tons of metal manufacturing and transportation were avoided
  • 5,933 tons of new concrete pours were avoided
  • 9,395 tons construction and demolition debris were avoided
  • 9,746,821 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions were avoided

Have you noticed a U-Haul in your community that you think was repurposed? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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