235: From Trash to Power: Diverting Construction Waste at Industrial Scale
From Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture by Evelyn Lee
May 14, 2026 · 35 min · Season 12 · Episode 235
About this episode
Evelyn Lee discusses with Todd Thomas how the AEC industry can transform construction waste into a valuable resource through AI and sustainability practices.
How can the AEC industry turn 41 million tons of annual wood waste into a circular economy powerhouse? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee ventures into the construction and manufacturing side of the built environment to speak with Todd Thomas , founder and CEO of Woodchuck . While the podcast typically focuses on architectural practice, Todd’s work at the intersection of AI and sustainability offers a glimpse into a future where waste is no longer an afterthought, but a valuable commodity. Todd explains the staggering scale of the problem: over 41 million tons of wood are sent to U.S. landfills every year, accounting for nearly 40% of all landfill volume. He details how Woodchuck uses advanced AI platforms to identify, sort, and divert this material at industrial scale. By bridging the gap between construction sites and manufacturing outlets, Todd is building the infrastructure necessary to move the industry away from a "take-make-waste" model and toward a truly circular economy. The conversation also touches on the speed of execution in the tech world versus the slower pace of traditional architectural practice. Todd shares insights into how Woodchuck was "spun…
People in this episode
Host: Evelyn Lee
Guest: Todd Thomas
Topics covered
- construction waste
- circular economy
- sustainability
- AI in construction
- deconstruction
- material life cycle
Keywords
- construction waste
- circular economy
- sustainability
- AI
- Woodchuck
- landfill
- deconstruction
- material life cycle
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Woodchuck
More episodes of Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture
- 239: AIA Architecture Firm Award Winners: The Next Generation at LPA · June 11, 2026 · 54 min
- 238: Out In Architecture Volume II: Gestures of Love · June 4, 2026 · 1h 5m
- 237: Out In Architecture Volume I: Gestures of Love · May 28, 2026 · 54 min
- 236: The Blueprint of Apparel: Applying Architectural Thinking to Fashion · May 21, 2026 · 40 min
- 234: Build the Future You Want: A Builder's Path with German Aparicio · May 7, 2026 · 42 min
- 233: Methods and Mindsets: Navigating Practice Transformation in a Shifting Market · April 30, 2026 · 1h 6m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture podcast page.