The 7 R’s of circularity

Too many exhibition stands end up as waste after just one event. At Tausch, that goes against everything we believe in. Our strategic choices are guided by the seven R’s of circularity: Refuse, Reuse, Refurbish, Rethink, Recycle, and Reduce. By applying these principles, we create sustainable exhibition stands without compromising on design, brand story, or visitor experience.

Refuse

Not every material deserves a place in your stand. Refusing the wrong ones is often the quickest win.

• Carpet: especially double-layer carpet ends up as waste after one show. Choose carpet tiles or laminate, both are reusable and look better.
• Aluminium: often sold as “sustainable” because it’s recyclable, but production is extremely CO₂-intensive.
• Unnecessary paintwork: every new layer is waste. Opt for reusable fabrics or pre-finished panels instead.

  “By refusing CO₂-intensive materials, you prevent waste and save money,” says Jeroen.

Re-use

Reusability is the heart of circularity. At Tausch, around 80% of a stand is built from reused elements.
We keep materials in circulation for as long as possible by storing wall panels, floors, bars and counters in our warehouse and reusing them after each show. We also work with graphic materials such as banners and fabrics that can often be used for several years in a row.

“The best material is the one you already have.”

Refurbish & Repair

Why replace what can be repaired? Refurbishing extends the lifespan of materials and significantly reduces the footprint.

A few examples are:

• Wall panels with holes are patched and reused
• Cabinet doors or displays that warp are repaired or replaced
• Floors are restored instead of discarded
  For clients like Reynaers and SABIC, we refurbish existing elements so they look brand new every time.

“A refurbished stand looks just as good as new, only without all the extra waste and costs.”

Rethink

Circularity is not just about materials, it’s about rethinking design and logistics. These are things you can look out for:

• Routing: smart floorplans that create impact with less material
• Communication: digital screens and fabrics instead of stacks of printed material
• Transport: one trip to the venue, no half-empty trucks, and teams staying on-site instead of driving back and forth

  “Rethink is about more than materials. It’s how a stand tells a story, how visitors move, and how we minimise impact at every step.”

Recycle

When reuse is no longer possible, we make sure materials are clean and ready for a new life.

• Wood is collected separately and processed into new panels by partners
• Vinyl and textiles are kept uncontaminated so they can return as raw materials
• AV, furniture and kitchen units go back to our rental partners

Reduce

All in all, what we are trying to achieve is reduction: less material, less transport, less energy.

Our CO₂-tool makes this impact visible. For clients such as Sony and GEA, we calculated the footprint of every stand component: from flooring and lighting to transport kilometers. This shows exactly where the biggest savings can be made. Binnenkort willen we CO₂-data standaard meenemen in offertes.

Working together towards less CO₂

By applying the 7 R’s of circularity, we build exhibition stands that last longer, cost less, and are visibly more sustainable. Would you like to see how your next stand could contribute to a greener future?
Our Green Future team is here to help you make the right choices. Together, we’ll create a stand that makes impact on the show floor, proving that sustainability and design go hand in hand.