Deutsch: Behälter / Español: Contenedor / Português: Recipiente / Français: Conteneur / Italiano: Contenitore /

The term container may refer to any one of the following:

• a basic tool, consisting of a device creating a partially or fully enclosed space that can be used to contain, store and transport objects or materials

in Commerce:

• Intermodal container (freight container, ISO container, shipping container, hi-cube container, sea container), a standardized reusable steel box-shaped structure that can be used to store and transport materials and products

in Computing:

• Container, a class, data structure or abstract data type used for storing objects in an organized manner following specific rules for access
• Container, in type theory, an abstract way of representing various types of collections in a uniform manner
• Container, an instance of server virtualization used in OS-level virtualization
• Web container (or servlet container), a component of a web server that interacts with Java servlets

in Entertainment:

• Container, a 2006 film by Swedish director Lukas Moodysson
• Container, an economic simulation board game for three to five players, published in 2007

Container in the environmental context often refers to the issues related to their usage, disposal, and impacts on sustainability.

General Description

In the environmental context, a container refers to any receptacle or vessel used to hold, store, or transport products or materials, ranging from small bottles and cans to large shipping containers. The environmental focus on containers typically centers around their materials, lifecycle, and the impact of their disposal or recycling processes. For example, single-use plastic containers contribute significantly to plastic pollution, affecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.

Application Areas

Containers are pivotal in discussions about waste management, recycling, and sustainable product design. They are relevant in a wide array of sectors, including food and beverage, manufacturing, and shipping. Environmental considerations might include the promotion of reusable containers, the development of biodegradable container materials, and the implementation of return or refill schemes to minimize waste.

Well-Known Examples

A well-known environmental issue related to containers is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is largely composed of plastic debris including containers that have accumulated in the ocean. This highlights the environmental hazards posed by improper disposal of plastic containers.

Treatment and Risks

The environmental risks associated with containers include pollution, especially plastic pollution in oceans, and the depletion of resources used in container manufacturing, like petroleum and metals. The treatment involves improved recycling technologies, increased use of post-consumer recycled materials, and policies that encourage or mandate reductions in container waste.

Similar Terms

Related terms include "packaging," which encompasses the materials and methods used to encase or protect goods, and "recycling," the process of converting waste materials into new products, often applied to containers to reduce the environmental footprint.

Weblinks

• quality-database.eu: 'Container' in the glossary of the quality-database.eu
• maritime-glossary.com: 'Container' in the maritime-glossary.com
• umweltdatenbank.de: 'Container' im Lexikon der umweltdatenbank.de (German)
• space-glossary.com: 'Container' in the space-glossary.com
• industrie-lexikon.de: 'Behälter' in the industrie-lexikon.de (German)
• industrie-lexikon.de: 'Container' in the industrie-lexikon.de (German)
• umweltdatenbank.de: 'Container' im Lexikon der umweltdatenbank.de (German)
• quality-database.eu: 'Container' in the glossary of the quality-database.eu

Articles with 'Container' in the title

• Container on Flat Car (COFC): A Container on Flat Car (COFC) is a Container that is transported on a Rail flatcar. It can be shipped via tractor /trailer using a Chassis as the wheel section

Summary

In an environmental context, a container is not just a physical object but a focal point for discussions on sustainability, waste reduction, and resource management. Addressing the environmental impacts of containers is crucial for progressing towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns.

--