Today, recycling of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) by plants is a reasonable alternative to the existing unsustainable disposal methods such as landfilling and fly tipping. Therefore, this study aims to report current management issues of these plants in the literature. As a result, it was seen that these management issues investigated in past researches can be classified under four main groups such as economics, environment, location, and administration. Their pros and cons were also revealed in a covering manner. As these issues have not been addressed together up to date and each one of them has been investigated separately, the present study is the first attempt to give a full picture of management issues of the recycling plants. Thus, it can fill the gap in the literature. As a research implication, this study may help researchers who will investigate C&DW recycling plants from different perspectives. In terms of the practical implication, it may attract attention of industrial practitioners and entrepreneurs in public authorities and the private sector to benefit from such wastes through plants. Finally, as a social implication, better management of C&DW recycling plants can save and enhance the sustainability of the overall environment and affect society positively. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.