A conversation with DEQ’s David Allaway on Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act

Last year, the Oregon legislature adopted one of the most far-reaching pieces of recycling legislation in Oregon history. The Recycling Modernization Act will expand recycling opportunities across the state, and improve social and environmental outcomes. Most people won’t see any changes until July 2025 and changes in the Portland area will be modest compared to the rest of the state. Portland already far ahead of the rest of the state when it comes to recycling opportunities.

I spoke with David Allaway, Senior Policy Analyst at DEQ about Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act, covering what it is and what it will do, and as important, what’s happening behind the scenes now before it takes effect in July 2025.