Woodchuck, an AI-driven climate-tech startup focused on transforming how the construction and manufacturing industries handle wood waste, has announced a new partnership with Barton Malow, a century-old construction company known for delivering innovative, trust-based solutions. This collaboration aims to divert wood waste from the Hart Solar Farm project away from landfills and instead repurpose it for clean energy production. Together, the two companies are not only reducing landfill waste by processing thousands of tons of wood debris but also streamlining the waste hauling process, saving time and resources. The repurposed material is then sent to Genesee Power Station, a NorthStar Clean Energy facility, where it is converted into biomass for renewable energy generation.
This partnership addresses a major challenge in renewable energy construction: waste management. Traditionally, items like pallets, cable spools, and wooden supports from construction sites would end up in landfills. By collaborating with Woodchuck, Barton Malow is ensuring that these materials are repurposed for a more sustainable purpose in clean energy production.
“Partnering with Woodchuck allows our project teams to implement waste diversion on a large scale,” said Jill Katic, Senior Sustainability Director at Barton Malow. “This initiative not only helps reduce our environmental footprint but also provides measurable data for our greenhouse gas inventories and sustainability reports. Such accountability adds significant value for our clients.”
For Woodchuck, this partnership is a step toward fulfilling its mission of eliminating construction waste from landfills while generating renewable energy.
“Our work with Barton Malow on the Hart Solar Farm proves that waste can become an asset,” said Todd Thomas, CEO of Woodchuck. “By handling hauling, shredding, and processing on-site, we simplify logistics for builders while ensuring that every piece of wood waste contributes to clean energy rather than filling up a landfill.”
NorthStar Clean Energy, which processes the biomass, sees this project as a model for how cross-industry collaboration can achieve tangible sustainability goals.
“Converting wood waste from a solar construction site into renewable energy is exactly the type of circular solution our energy future needs,” said Brian Hartmann, President of NorthStar Clean Energy. “This collaboration with Barton Malow and Woodchuck shows how innovative partnerships can scale sustainable practices while delivering reliable energy to Michigan communities.”
Spanning more than four square miles, the Hart Solar Farm project has already diverted nearly 500 tons of wood waste, which has been transformed into 38 million BTUs of energy—enough to power 16 Detroit homes for a month. This is equivalent to preventing 824 tons of CO2 emissions, or the impact of removing 180 cars from the road for a year. For Barton Malow, the initiative underscores its commitment to helping clients meet sustainability goals while advancing renewable energy infrastructure.
This project not only supports Woodchuck’s mission but also demonstrates that its model can be scaled for larger construction efforts. Any construction company facing waste management challenges—whether due to cost concerns or lack of resources—can look to Woodchuck as a proven, scalable solution.
