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Man Turns Garbage Container into Micro Home


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I saw this luxurious and reclaimed garbage container tiny house created by a guy named Gregory Kloehn floating around the Internet lately. After running into it twice and a couple of readers have sent it to me, I thought I should share it with you. It sort of reminds me of the Apocalyptic Tiny House I featured way back. Greg has taken a garbage container and made it into something that some people might actually want to live in.

He added hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, and windows that can be completely hidden for when you sleep. It really gets you to think, doesn’t it? How much do you really need? There’s ample storage, a stovetop, toaster oven, 6-gallon water system, electrical, and lights. It also got me thinking of ideas and ways that you can convert vehicles into stealthy little houses just like this one. Check it out…

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Garbage Container Turned Into Micro Home

Luxurious and Reclaimed Garbage Container Tiny House

Photo Credits Kim Aronson and Gregory Kloehn

Luxurious and Reclaimed Garbage Container Tiny House

If you thought shipping container houses were small… you’re wrong! (haha)

Luxurious and Reclaimed Garbage Container Tiny House

Most people, including you and me, would not want to live in this. Unless of course, you had a similar set up in the back of a van so you can travel around, would you do it then? I would.

So the next step is to create a custom 4-cylinder Toyota truck that can lift, hold, and tow this bad boy anywhere.

Tiny Garbage Truck

Okay, watch the tour below and share your thoughts in the comments.

Video Tour of Luxurious and Reclaimed Garbage Container Tiny House

Length: 1:35

Luxurious Garbage Container Tiny House Luxurious Garbage Container Tiny House

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 12 comments… add one }
  • sesameB
    March 7, 2012, 1:43 pm

    I liked this when you first showcased it!

  • Marsha Cowan
    March 9, 2012, 9:56 am

    Love the concept of taking anything and making it a home. Love the outside, but never really got to see the inside. Is it because it is too small inside to really get a good pic? Is there a bed and can you cook inside on a rainy day? Is there a composting toilet anywhere? Just left with a few questions.

  • reclaimed lumber
    April 3, 2012, 6:35 am

    Rock OM With your Prana Filled bad, um, Good Self. Nicely done. Hope it all works out for you, Kentucky and Kali.

  • Sandra
    February 2, 2013, 12:01 pm

    Sorry, but this seems like a complete waste of resources and time. Dumpster diving is not going to take off any time soon. There are 100’s of other options out there! They are too small and the fact that they are metal makes them thermally unsuited for summer or winter.

    • John
      September 6, 2013, 10:37 am

      Right on Sandra, for all the above things you mentioned. A novelty at best.

    • Lionel
      September 7, 2013, 12:28 am

      Totally agree with you. And it is not cheap to make. Kind of art statement. Not a living place. Just a cynical message.

  • Kelly D.
    September 7, 2013, 4:48 pm

    To Mr. Kloehn,
    Loved what you did with the dumpster. As a homeless woman all I can say
    is if you’re thinking of giving that thing away, I’d be more than happy to
    have it. Being homeless really sucks. Few questions though: 1) Does the luxe dumpster have heating and A/C? I live in Riverside County, CA … hot, hot, hot summers! 2) So the shower is located outside the unit? Where
    would I get the water? 3) What about the toilet? Doesn’t look like it flushes, so where/how would I empty it? Could a real problem for me.

    So thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you some day.
    Kelly D.

  • sandyb
    March 8, 2014, 3:01 pm

    do none of you watch 2 broke girls?

  • Michael
    March 8, 2014, 6:33 pm

    When I see this guy and others turning dumpsters or other really small spaces into homes it is inspirational. Seeing what can be done with a little space shows that it is possible to make things work with a bit of ingenuity.

    I think a minivan would work better. It would give a little more space in one dimension but there would be no standing in it. A regular van with a tall roof would be even better. Each would be mobile and offer greater opportunities to find the best location to live. The downside is the vehicle would need to be insured and occasionally repaired at great expense. Those expenses never go away.

    The dumpster house shows that a shelter can be made with very little space. Everybody reading this blog could build a slightly larger shelter of wood for under $1000. It would be in a fixed location just like a dumpster. Trailers cost more than $1000 so making one mobile would add a lot to the cost.

    Imagine building a small shelter comparable to this one on the back of a pickup truck. It could have an eight foot floor and be made tall enough for standing. It could be left in the truck bed or easily removed if one needed to get a different truck. It could also be put on a trailer.

    The shelter wouldn’t need to be elaborate if one was on a limited budget. Build something sturdy and waterproof. When money is more plentiful build something else or just improve upon the current design. It seems like a simple project that could be done by almost anybody. If I ever build one I’ll document the construction and write a story about it for Tiny House Talk.

  • Dave
    September 16, 2014, 7:56 pm

    I think Mr. Kloehn is very creative and talented with his dumpster. The rub would be trying to use these things as a realistic solution to the plight of the homeless. Certainly shelter of any kind to get human beings out from under bridges and dark corners everywhere is a noble idea but we have to get real. The first time a collection of these things turns up along side a railroad track or on the fringes of a public park you know the sheriff will not be far behind.

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