Rethinking the ‘Build and Discard’ Economy: How Modular Design is Reshaping Sustainability in Events and Interiors

Across the global events and construction industries, sustainability conversations have often focused on materials, emissions, and recycling. Yet, a more fundamental issue persists beneath the surface, a deeply entrenched “build and discard” model that continues to drive large-scale waste.

For Duncan, founder of ReXtore and the creator of the modular system “STAXX”, the turning point came from witnessing this cycle firsthand. “I’ve been in the refurbishment industry for 20 years, and I witnessed so much waste in interiors, in retail and F&B. Every five years, these stores would get ripped out and thrown away,” he said.

An industry built on waste

The scale of the problem is significant. In sectors such as exhibitions, retail fit-outs, and commercial interiors, structures are often designed for short-term use, only to be dismantled and discarded after a single lifecycle.

Materials such as plywood and MDF, widely used in these applications, are not only resource-intensive but are also frequently sourced from non-sustainable supply chains.

“Most of that wood is coming from Indonesian rainforests… it’s depleting the rainforest,” Duncan noted, pointing to the hidden environmental cost embedded in conventional practices.

This linear model, build, use, discard, has remained largely unchanged for decades. “Custom booths have been built the same way for the last 40 years… and all of it goes to the incinerator,” he added.

ReXtore’s response to this challenge is rooted in a simple but often overlooked principle: circularity must begin at the design stage. “You can’t really bring in circularity halfway through. It needs to be done right from the beginning,” Duncan explained.

The company’s modular system, STAXX, functions as a reusable building block platform, enabling exhibition booths and interior structures to be assembled, disassembled, and reused multiple times.

Unlike traditional systems, these components are not sold but rented, ensuring they remain within a closed-loop lifecycle. “Everything that we design ends up coming back to this warehouse… the blocks are reused again and again,” he said.

Complementing this approach is a broader material strategy. STAXX are produced using recycled ocean-bound plastic, sourced through regional supply chains.

“We work with a recycling plant… collecting plastic waste from rivers and beaches… and we use that to make the blocks,” Duncan noted. Even secondary materials are designed for circularity. Carpets are converted into pellets and reintegrated into production, while graphics use FSC-certified cardboard and soy-based inks for recyclability.

Challenging the economics of sustainability

One of the persistent barriers to sustainable adoption is cost. “Cost has always been a challenge… especially for adoption,” Duncan acknowledged.

However, advances in manufacturing, including injection moulding, have enabled ReXtore to reduce costs significantly. “Our products are now cheaper than traditional plywood builds,” he said, highlighting a critical inflection point where sustainability aligns with economic viability.

This shift is particularly important in industries where cost and design flexibility often outweigh environmental considerations. As material costs for traditional construction continue to rise, driven in part by resource depletion and supply chain pressures, reusable systems are beginning to present a more compelling alternative.

Measuring impact in carbon terms

Beyond waste reduction, the environmental impact of modular systems is increasingly being quantified in terms of emissions. According to independent assessments, ReXtore’s solutions deliver a significant reduction in carbon footprint.

“Our carbon emissions for a stand were about 3%, compared to 50–60% for traditional builds,” Duncan said. The difference lies in lifecycle efficiency. Traditional structures are produced, transported, and discarded, generating emissions at every stage. In contrast, reusable systems distribute their environmental cost over multiple uses.

“The only major emissions come from transport… everything else is reused,” he added.

Despite clear environmental and economic advantages, widespread adoption remains uneven. Awareness is one factor, particularly for emerging solutions that have yet to achieve scale.

However, the deeper challenge lies in perception. “Traditionally, people expect beautiful custom stands, even if they end up in landfill,” Duncan said.

The transition to circular systems often requires a recalibration of expectations, balancing design aesthetics with sustainability outcomes.

Interestingly, this shift is already visible among certain segments. “A lot of luxury companies are accepting a slightly imperfect feel because it aligns with their principles,” he noted.

Policy, markets, and global demand

The pace of adoption varies significantly across regions. While Southeast Asia is still evolving in terms of sustainability requirements, demand from global markets, particularly Europe, is accelerating the shift.

“European companies are very demanding when it comes to sustainable solutions,” Duncan observed.

Government and industry bodies also play a crucial role. In Singapore, regulatory frameworks and certification systems are beginning to encourage more sustainable practices in the events industry.

ReXtore itself has achieved gold certification under local sustainability standards, reflecting the growing institutional push towards greener solutions.

Scaling circularity beyond events

Looking ahead, the potential for modular, reusable systems extends far beyond exhibitions. ReXtore is exploring applications across retail, office spaces, and even residential environments, reflecting a broader shift towards circular construction models.

At the same time, technological innovation continues to expand design possibilities. The integration of 3D printing and modular accessories is enabling greater flexibility, addressing concerns around design limitations.

“We’re developing new products… curved blocks, cladding systems… expanding what we can do,” Duncan said.

From niche solution to industry standard

The long-term vision is clear. Reusable modular systems have the potential to become the default approach in industries that have historically been defined by waste.

“We’re already seeing that shift,” Duncan said. As cost advantages improve and design capabilities expand, the transition may accelerate.

More importantly, it signals a broader transformation in how sustainability is approached, not as an add-on, but as a foundational principle embedded in design, production, and consumption.

In that context, solutions like STAXX highlight a critical insight for climate innovation: true sustainability is not achieved by managing waste, but by designing it out of the system altogether.