CDRA announces 2020 C&D Award Winners

The Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) has announced a new inductee to its C&D Hall of Fame, John Kurtz. Awards for Kurtz, along with winners of C&D Recycler of the Year, CDRA Member of the Year for 2020 and this year's Safety Awards, will be presented at C&D World 2020, March 11 in Las Vegas.

C&D Hall of Fame
This institution is to honor those prominent leaders and pioneers in the Construction and Demolition Recycling industry who have made an extraordinary contribution to the industry and who have earned the respect of the industry. Additionally, the C&D Hall of Fame is meant to honor those who have made an extraordinary contribution to their community, both personally and professionally. To recognize the achievements of those who have shown, by their example, the importance of promoting and defending the environmentally sound recycling of Construction and Demolition material through innovative processes along with encouraging and supporting others to build a career in the Construction and Demolition Recycling Industry. To recognize leadership in advocating for environmentally sound practices with the regulating agencies and legislative bodies governing waste regulations. 

John Kurtz, this year's C&D Hall of Fame inductee, is the second generation in the Kurtz Bros. family business. Kurtz Bros., Inc. is a 71-year-old company based in Independence, Ohio, that was started by Mel and Dolores Kurtz in 1948. Their sons John (current president), Greg and Tom Kurtz are still involved in the business. Established originally as a topsoil manufacturer and distributor, Kurtz Bros., Inc., has grown to become the leader in waste-to-resource, servicing dozens of different industrial sectors, homeowners, companies, communities and agencies, including becoming a major C&D recycler in Northeast Ohio. 

John Kurtz has also worked tirelessly to promote the CDRA and the C&D industry through his long-time membership on the CDRA Board. He has represented the CDRA to both the vinyl industry and the biomass market at their industry events. And Kurtz Brothers has been a sponsor of the CDRA since its sponsorship program began. John is also active in the local community and is a strong Notre Dame fan.

"John exemplifies the best in the C&D recycling industry," said Terry Weaver, CDRA President. "His service and innovation in the industry, as well as his work for the association and the local community, make him deserving of this honor." 

C&D Recycler of the Year
The Recycler of the Year is meant to honor those Recycling Operations in the Construction and Demolition Recycling industry who have made an extraordinary contribution to the industry through one or more of a range of criteria, such as advancing business operations that result in increased recycling percentages to protecting the environment. 

DTG Recycling Services, this year's winner of the C&D Recycler of the year honours, is a full service, multi-discipline recycling company in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. The company has eight processing operations in the region that handle all materials from concrete to plastics. The company's recent accomplishments are wide ranging, including the opening of two greenfield MRFs and the acquisition of a failing MRF, for which they tripled incoming tonnage, saving 18 jobs. The company also launched a mattress recycling division that now processes 200 units per day and worked with local marine conservancy program to establish derelict fish net recycling program, among many accomplishments.  See the full list of DTG's qualifying accomplishments at www.cdrecycling.org.

CDRA Member of the Year
The Member of the Year is selected based on extraordinary service to the mission of the organization and the C&D Recycling industry during the previous 12-month period. This year, Brandon Lapsys, Komptech Americas is being recognized for his work on the CDRA's Membership/Marketing Committee. Brandon, who serves as co-chair of the committee, has helped drive membership increases for the CDRA, while also providing guidance on the association's marketing efforts.

Best Practices in Safety Awards 
2020 is the 3rd year CDRA has offered a safety awards program. The program was developed by the Risk Management Committee to provide a Safety Best Practices measurement for members. The industry has some inherent hazards C&D operators are continuously working toward greater safety measures. The Safety Awards Program creates benchmarks and helps members establish specific goals for improving their compliance and safety performance.

Congratulations to the 2020 CDRA Safety Award winners! 

Gold Award 
• DTG Recycling Group - Mill Creek, WA
• Lautenbach Industries - Mt. Vernon, WA
• Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling - Pittsburgh, PA
• TAZ Recycling - McCook, IL

Silver Award
• Mazza Recycling - Tinton Falls, NJ
• Premier Recycle - San Jose, CAParticipant Award
• R&B Debris - Folsom, NJ.