A regenerative carbon dioxide removal system is provided onboard the container (10) through which air from within the cargo box (12) may be circulated for removing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide present in the air. The regenerative carbon dioxide removal system includes a scrubber module (40) containing a carbon dioxide absorbent material, and an actuator for moving the scrubber module to pass the carbon dioxide absorbent material alternately between a first flow of air to be cleaned drawn by the evaporator fan (30) from within the cargo box, and a second flow of air drawn from an environment outside the cargo box for regenerating the carbon dioxide adsorbent material by removing collected carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide adsorbent material.