Woodchuck, Walbridge forge joint construction sustainability initiative

Woodchuck, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based artificial intelligence- (AI-) powered climate technology company, has announced a joint sustainability with Walbridge, a privately held construction company headquartered in Detroit. The program supports Ford Motor Co.’s construction waste reduction efforts at its new manufacturing facility in Marshall, Michigan, using AI to track and divert wood and other materials from landfills.

According to the companies, the first three months of the program have improved visibility into waste streams, achieving 40 percent of the project’s projected materials-related savings. The initiative focuses on tracking wood waste, including pallets, crating and rigging material.

According to Walbridge, this early progress offers the company the ability to address customers’ waste management needs and lays the groundwork standard operating procedures for future large-scale construction projects.

“Our partnership with Woodchuck is built on collaboration. Transparent and real-time communication allows our team to adapt quickly to changing material waste streams on the ground. Detailed information about each load provides complete visibility not only into what is diverted from a landfill, but also into its end destination and intended use, delivering transparency and enabling measurable sustainability outcomes,” Sander Mathijs, Walbridge sustainability manager, says. “Another key program feature is its ability to scale, allowing us to calibrate capacity and scope to meet the waste‑diversion needs of the project.”

Woodchuck.ai’s AI platform is being used to monitor and document the diversion of wood, carboard, plastic and metal while integrating with existing construction workflows.

Walbridge says it has already seen meaningful improvements within the first quarter, diverting thousands of tons of wood, cardboard, plastic and metal; reducing waste, reducing landfill dependency and reducing costs. Over the course of the project, the companies expect approximately 8,000 tons of wood and 1,000 tons of cardboard, plastic and metal to be diverted from landfills.

Walbridge says real-time data on container levels and material composition allows project teams to better manage hauling logistics, reduce disposal costs and support sustainability reporting requirements.

“Our partnership with Woodchuck has been a game changer,” Ross Linton, group vice president of Walbridge, says. “In just a few short months, they’ve helped us transform our waste process to one that’s measurable, trackable and easily managed. Our team is empowered to plan ahead, driving efficiency and sustainability. We’re excited about the future possibilities this collaboration brings.”

Based on early results, Walbridge expects the Woodchuck-enabled process to become a foundation for future large-scale builds across automotive, manufacturing, technology and advanced industrial sectors.

“Walbridge is demonstrating what it looks like when a contractor treats waste as a strategic input rather than an afterthought,” Todd Thomas, CEO of Woodchuck, says. “By embracing real-time data, AI-enabled insights and a commitment to measurable sustainability outcomes, they’re proving that smarter waste management isn’t just good for the environment—it’s good for productivity, cost efficiency and project certainty. Their leadership on Ford’s Marshall project shows what’s possible when innovation becomes part of the construction workflow, and they’re setting the pace for how the industry will operate going forward.”