C&D World session preview: Optimizing Plant Operations with best practices for efficiency and success

At C&D World 2025 (March 11-14, Dallas), attendees will gain valuable insights from sessions focused on critical construction and demolition (C&D) recycling industry trends and topics.

In the “Optimizing Plant Operations: Best Practices for Efficiency and Success” session on March 12 from 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT, Rody Taylor, owner of KC Dumpster Co., will lead a panel discussion featuring Rich Lodgek, president of Mercer Group; Ron Tazelaar, owner of TAZ Recycling; and Terrell Garrett, founder and CEO of GreenWay Recycling. The panelists will discuss the latest innovations, challenges and opportunities facing plant operations.

Construction & Demolition Recycling spoke with Taylor about the session and what C&D World 2025 attendees can expect to take away from this insightful conversation.

Construction & Demolition Recycling (C&DR): What can attendees expect to learn from this session?

Rody Taylor (RT): Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from three of the C&D recycling industry’s leaders about their experiences operating C&D recycling plants. From operations and equipment to material streams and end markets, we will cover a wide range of topics related to optimizing plant operations. We also will discuss best practices we have learned over the years and highlight the current opportunities and challenging facing the industry.

C&DR: Why are advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), optical sorters and enhanced metals recovery so vital in today’s plant operations?

RT: These advanced technologies can play a crucial role in modern C&D recycling plant operations. For example, AI can improve efficiency by optimizing processes, predicting maintenance needs and reducing downtime, while optical sorters can enhance the accuracy and speed of material separation and enhanced metals recovery can increase valuable metals’ profitability and reduce their environmental impact.

While there are a lot of factors to consider before adopting these advanced technologies, there can be some short- and long-term benefits depending on the plant and its needs.

C&DR: What are some of the challenges and opportunities owner-operators face when adopting these advanced technologies?

RT: Owner-operators face several challenges when adopting advanced technologies, such as their cost and readiness and their performance in various environments and seasons. With the purchase of any large piece of equipment, the most important question is always related to the return on investment.

In terms of opportunities, some of the panelists have seen success and increased throughput for some operations thanks to advanced technologies. They will share their personal experiences in more detail during the session.

C&DR: How has the industry evolved over the years, and what trends do you foresee in plant operations going forward?

RT: Locally, in the Kansas City market, I have seen a growing demand for C&D recovery among builders and owners. The Midwest is typically slow to adopt these policies, but the way materials are handled in my area is definitely changing. I foresee another facility like mine being built in my market in the next five years.

C&DR: What are some best practices you have learned over the years as owner of KC Dumpster?

RT: My answer to this question is hard, but it is not complicated: Practice the golden rule. Treat customers the way you want to be treated. Show up on time, every time. Do what you say you are going to do. Go the extra mile. Look at problems as opportunities in disguise.  Like I said, it is hard, but it is not complicated.

C&DR: This session will focus on a wide range of topics surrounding plant operations, such as hiring the right personnel, tracking metrics, collecting data and complying with government regulations. Tell us about the importance of these topics in relation to operations.

RT: Based on our initial discussions, panelists will share examples related to how having the right people in the right roles can straighten out underperforming facilities, how cost effectiveness and readiness of optical sorters and AI plays a role in their equipment purchasing and adopting decisions, how adding more classifications to the materials coming into their facilities can help owner-operators better understand their material flow and where the materials are coming from and how the growing diversification in materials is seen as beneficial for plant operations.

The importance of this wide range of topics is to ensure we address common pain points and opportunities for attendees. While not every topic has relevance to every attendee, hopefully everyone will walk away with at least one nugget that solves a problem they are facing.