Last week I talked about how to live simply and decrease your carbon footprint living in a tiny house. Even better than buying a tiny house is making your own, and Michael Janzen is blazing a trail with his free tiny pallet house. Not only is his house made out of recycled shipping pallets, it isn’t costing him anything to build. And lucky for us, he’s sharing his plans so you too can build your own tiny free house.
You can save money, sharpen your DIY skills, and further decrease your environmental impact by following Janzen’s example of building a free pallet house.
Keep pallets out of landfills
Here are some disturbing statistics about shipping pallets:
- Approximately 40% of all hardwood harvested in the U.S. is for making shipping pallets
- About two-thirds of pallets are used only once before being thrown out
- 1/4 of all wood in landfills is from used pallets
You can help prevent deforestation and keep pallets out of landfills by finding creative alternative uses for them, like building a house. Pallets can be found everywhere. Once you start looking for them, you’ll see them scattered all over your town or city.
Contact a local warehouse, supermarket, or any business that receives large shipments, and get permission to pick up their used pallets. Most companies are happy to give their pallets away.
Plans for a free pallet house
Janzen has made plans for building a free pallet house available on his website. These plans are a guide for building what he calls a disaster preparedness and emergency shelter. Janzen says:
As hurricane Gustav plowed across Cuba headed for the gulf coast of the United States memories of Katrina and the potential displacement of thousands got me thinking. I wanted to do something to help. It occurred to me that someone else might find what I now about building with shipping pallets useful in the coming weeks and months.
With some creativity, you may find that shipping pallets can be reappropriated in other ways to build your own free tiny house. For example, I have a friend that has disassembled shipping pallets and used the wood to build roof trusses for his straw bale building.
Ultimately, you can help prevent deforestation and keep pallets out of landfills by using them to build creative housing.
Think tiny and free!
(Image credit: flickr via KGBKitchen)
so what did the boy do, make a model? I would say this boy did not design or make this dome. And whos workshop is this? Not his or his family’s. And the peanuts and materials were all bought, not recycled.
so what did the boy do, make a model? I would say this boy did not design or make this dome. And whos workshop is this? Not his or his family’s. And the peanuts and materials were all bought, not recycled.
Way’ta go mann! The world needs people like you. Great job!
Way’ta go mann! The world needs people like you. Great job!
I’m so thrilled with this story. I take my hat off to Max. He’s simply an original! No doubt. An original is driven into his original course by passion and not pecuniary benefits, even though he’ll be paid. I’ve a burning passion to see young people live like originals and I’ve written a book on that so you can imagine how thrilled I am with this story. With the so-called economic recession causing people to become increasingly selfish where they only care about their needs and care less about others I’m very thrilled to see a 12yr old that’s less passionate about his needs (money) and more passionate about the needs of others. Max says he’s had this passion since he was 6, I pray he allows this same passion to dictate his career in college when he finishes high school so he could live a life of fulfillment doing what he loves, and not allow society dictate to him which path to take.
I’m so thrilled with this story. I take my hat off to Max. He’s simply an original! No doubt. An original is driven into his original course by passion and not pecuniary benefits, even though he’ll be paid. I’ve a burning passion to see young people live like originals and I’ve written a book on that so you can imagine how thrilled I am with this story. With the so-called economic recession causing people to become increasingly selfish where they only care about their needs and care less about others I’m very thrilled to see a 12yr old that’s less passionate about his needs (money) and more passionate about the needs of others. Max says he’s had this passion since he was 6, I pray he allows this same passion to dictate his career in college when he finishes high school so he could live a life of fulfillment doing what he loves, and not allow society dictate to him which path to take.
12-year-old Makes Homeless Shelter from Trash. . . plastic, wire and packing peanuts. . . while slowly exposing those encased in the materials with toxic odorless fumes from plastic and packing peanuts.
12-year-old Makes Homeless Shelter from Trash. . . plastic, wire and packing peanuts. . . while slowly exposing those encased in the materials with toxic odorless fumes from plastic and packing peanuts.
AMAZING!!! I have always been a firm believer that the only limitations in life are the ones that you place upon yourself. And MAX is living proof. If a 12 year old can do something so impressive with a motive as compassionate as his than anyone can do the same!!! Great job can’t wait to see what your next project may be!!!
The obama ad kind of ruined things for me. Obama is ruining this country so it is more important than ever to go green. Politics and politicians should stay out of green. I went green during the first earth day in the early 70′s. Ive been homeless so I appreciate what the 12 year old young man did- great job.
Dennis U
Henderson KY
AMAZING!!! I have always been a firm believer that the only limitations in life are the ones that you place upon yourself. And MAX is living proof. If a 12 year old can do something so impressive with a motive as compassionate as his than anyone can do the same!!! Great job can’t wait to see what your next project may be!!!
The obama ad kind of ruined things for me. Obama is ruining this country so it is more important than ever to go green. Politics and politicians should stay out of green. I went green during the first earth day in the early 70′s. Ive been homeless so I appreciate what the 12 year old young man did- great job.
Dennis U
Henderson KY
yeah thats great..it will only cost 200.00 in supplies and a team from MIT to put one together..should be easily affordable to the homeless people out there…couldnt they keep it more simple similar the what the kid actually designed..it could certainly be functional then of course not as cool looking. call me a rotton pessimist..but cmon homeless people have been making these themselves for many years…sorry
yeah thats great..it will only cost 200.00 in supplies and a team from MIT to put one together..should be easily affordable to the homeless people out there…couldnt they keep it more simple similar the what the kid actually designed..it could certainly be functional then of course not as cool looking. call me a rotton pessimist..but cmon homeless people have been making these themselves for many years…sorry
I think that Max Wallack did a great job! You never see kids who think about other people in such a way. He is going to be a great man someday. I can not wait to see what he does next!
wow this is pretty interesting
Well, although I am not a fan of golf or the damage/resources involved, it is possible to mantain them in an “environmentally friendly” way. I have been lucky enough to work with some. Besides that any little thing groups or individuals want to contribute should be encouraged even if they sell gas or cars. Good article though just not a fan of sensationalism on either side.
I think that Max Wallack did a great job! You never see kids who think about other people in such a way. He is going to be a great man someday. I can not wait to see what he does next!
wow this is pretty interesting
Well, although I am not a fan of golf or the damage/resources involved, it is possible to mantain them in an “environmentally friendly” way. I have been lucky enough to work with some. Besides that any little thing groups or individuals want to contribute should be encouraged even if they sell gas or cars. Good article though just not a fan of sensationalism on either side.
well he didn’t build it himself, now did he?
well he didn’t build it himself, now did he?
I have seen tons of people make homes out of trash, but this boy at least made one that looks somewhat good.
Congratulations, waooo !. I´m sure if any homeless see this, that man or woman will be hapy not get wet. I think could be sold this idea (procedure) as a manual and probally it could be built for camping, waoo !!
I have seen tons of people make homes out of trash, but this boy at least made one that looks somewhat good.
Congratulations, waooo !. I´m sure if any homeless see this, that man or woman will be hapy not get wet. I think could be sold this idea (procedure) as a manual and probally it could be built for camping, waoo !!
The kids heart is in the right place, but it would never happen. The first thing out of a mayor or a governor’s mouth when you bring this to their desk would be, “What are we going to do with those huts during the day?” or “we can’t just have these domes under our over passes and in our parks” or “they will just go and use drugs under them” or a million other reasons government officials give to slip out of the responsibility of helping the homeless. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see a youngster thinking about the homeless epidemic that is in this country. Maybe he will be able to inspire our elected officials. Keep it up Max!
MAX IS AWESOME ITS SO FUNNY THE KIDS ARE SO SHARP AND HAVE SO MUCH COMPASTION AND THE ADULTS CAN ONLY THINK OF HOW MUCH MORE CAN I GET BEFORE THE NEXT PERSON. AND I FEEL ADULTS DON’T REALLY CARE IF WE HAVE HOMELESS PEOPLE BECAUSE IF THEY DID THEY’ER WOULD NOT BE ANY AROUND!!!!!! THEY COULD BE ANGELS SENT TO SEE HOW WE REALLY ARE AND IF WE DESERVE TO GO TO HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU U GO MAX DARLENE OWENS
The kids heart is in the right place, but it would never happen. The first thing out of a mayor or a governor’s mouth when you bring this to their desk would be, “What are we going to do with those huts during the day?” or “we can’t just have these domes under our over passes and in our parks” or “they will just go and use drugs under them” or a million other reasons government officials give to slip out of the responsibility of helping the homeless. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see a youngster thinking about the homeless epidemic that is in this country. Maybe he will be able to inspire our elected officials. Keep it up Max!
someone needs to keep off the doughnuts
Nice to know there are caring young people out there and have the smarts to come up with inventions such as this!!
someone needs to keep off the doughnuts
Nice to know there are caring young people out there and have the smarts to come up with inventions such as this!!
Way to go kid, finally someone out there is acting like they really care for the homeless. Yeah the money might help you in your future education, but the money isn’t that important when it comes right down to where the rubber meets the road.
Well done, Max.
Wow. This is incredibly dangerous. It goes against every building and fire code there is here in the United States and much of the world. If a child ( or anyone) were inside of this and caught fire, not only would all of these platics become a flammable liquid fire and literally envelope the person inside, it would create enough BTU’s to start a serious structure fire and the highly toxic elements being given off in the smoke would certainly kill anyone in the vicinity that inhaled them.
SHAME on this group awarding this kind of tremendous hazard being created.
Way to go kid, finally someone out there is acting like they really care for the homeless. Yeah the money might help you in your future education, but the money isn’t that important when it comes right down to where the rubber meets the road.
Well done, Max.
Wow. This is incredibly dangerous. It goes against every building and fire code there is here in the United States and much of the world. If a child ( or anyone) were inside of this and caught fire, not only would all of these platics become a flammable liquid fire and literally envelope the person inside, it would create enough BTU’s to start a serious structure fire and the highly toxic elements being given off in the smoke would certainly kill anyone in the vicinity that inhaled them.
SHAME on this group awarding this kind of tremendous hazard being created.
I wouldn’t necessarily call the materials trash. They are more like recyclable items. I mean, he didn’t find the packaging material in a dumpster or trashcan, did he? They all look new. Companies make packaging peanuts, and you can buy them. So, unless he obtained the styrofoam and plastic from the trash after it was thrown away, I wouldn’t call it trash. But I do agree, it is a very innovative idea and he seems to have a mind of an engineer.
A structure almost exactly like this (as well as many other similar ones) was created in the 1980s during a period when homelessness was on the rise and artists and activists were working together to help the masses. Not only were homeless shelters like this (and tubes that used heat from exhaust vents from large buildings and subway systems) common, but also homeless vehicles.
In fact, I can’t help but see this and think it is a direct inspiration from those 1980s creations. The originality here is questionable, though there is merit in this idea.
I wouldn’t necessarily call the materials trash. They are more like recyclable items. I mean, he didn’t find the packaging material in a dumpster or trashcan, did he? They all look new. Companies make packaging peanuts, and you can buy them. So, unless he obtained the styrofoam and plastic from the trash after it was thrown away, I wouldn’t call it trash. But I do agree, it is a very innovative idea and he seems to have a mind of an engineer.
A structure almost exactly like this (as well as many other similar ones) was created in the 1980s during a period when homelessness was on the rise and artists and activists were working together to help the masses. Not only were homeless shelters like this (and tubes that used heat from exhaust vents from large buildings and subway systems) common, but also homeless vehicles.
In fact, I can’t help but see this and think it is a direct inspiration from those 1980s creations. The originality here is questionable, though there is merit in this idea.
And everyone wants to wonder why eco initiatives never take off? I figure that if you spend all that time engineering, planning, budgeting, building anything green then those individuals or businesses are doing more than the most of us. Kicking them and putting them down is not going make the eco industry look attractive to anyone accept fanatical or radicals. I am not brave enough to condemn anyone trying anything. So like it was over 30 years ago all this green thing collapse due to the same bad attitudes. Offer solutions or offer nothing at all.
And everyone wants to wonder why eco initiatives never take off? I figure that if you spend all that time engineering, planning, budgeting, building anything green then those individuals or businesses are doing more than the most of us. Kicking them and putting them down is not going make the eco industry look attractive to anyone accept fanatical or radicals. I am not brave enough to condemn anyone trying anything. So like it was over 30 years ago all this green thing collapse due to the same bad attitudes. Offer solutions or offer nothing at all.
whee!
What an awesome, brilliant young man! It’s great to see that kindness and inspiration can still be found in our youth. I commend him for his kindheartedness and ingenuity. Keep up the good work!
whee!
What an awesome, brilliant young man! It’s great to see that kindness and inspiration can still be found in our youth. I commend him for his kindheartedness and ingenuity. Keep up the good work!
I think what you have done is amazing… if more people would learn to use their imgination and create something wonderful that can be used the world it’s self would be a better place…
Thanks so much
XOXO
STefanie