Oregon DEQ Reignites NW Metals Controversy

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a penalty of more than $357,000 to NW Metals Inc. Following allegations that the metal recycling company operated multiple properties in North Portland without required pollution permits.

The penalty, issued on November 4, 2025, concerns operations at 8140 N. Commercial Ave. And waste left at 9537 N. Columbia Blvd. According to the DEQ, the company lacked necessary permits for stormwater, air quality and solid waste.

Regulators allege that NW Metals conducted unpermitted operations including the processing of tires, fluids, and discarded vehicles. The DEQ also stated that the company operated shredding equipment without the pollution controls required by state permits.

Breakdown of the Penalty

A significant portion of the fine, totaling $179,061, is classified by the DEQ as an economic benefit of noncompliance. This figure represents the money the agency believes the company saved by avoiding the costs associated with obtaining permits and implementing required compliance measures.

The DEQ stated that these unpermitted operations created risks to public health and the environment. The agency specifically cited the processing of waste automobiles and the use of a metal shredder without mandated controls as primary drivers for the enforcement action.

Company Response and Discrimination Claims

NW Metals CEO and President Moyata Anotta expressed shock regarding the penalty. Anotta argued that his company is being treated differently than similar businesses in the industry, suggesting that the disparity in treatment is partly due to the fact that he is Black.

Anotta claimed that the permits being required of his company are not demanded of other facilities. However, Michael Loch, a public affairs specialist for the DEQ’s Northwest Region, denied these accusations.

DEQ denies any accusations of racial discrimination or discrimination of any sort in this case. We apply the law equally across the board.

Michael Loch, DEQ Northwest Region

History of Regulatory Conflict

This latest enforcement action is part of a long-running regulatory struggle. The conflict traces back to a 2018 scrapyard fire that resulted in damaged nearby structures and forced evacuations.

Between 2010 and 2026, NW Metals operated scrapyards at four different Portland locations. State records indicate these sites consistently lacked proper permitting while conducting business that posed health and environmental risks.

The company has also faced legal challenges regarding its adherence to court orders. On April 7, 2026, the Oregon Attorney General’s Office announced the filing of a motion requesting a contempt hearing for NW Metals on behalf of the DEQ.

The motion alleges that the company violated a 2021 court injunction that required NW Metals to comply with Oregon environmental law.

Environmental Risks of Scrapyard Operations

Auto dismantlers process end-of-life vehicles by separating hazardous and non-recyclable materials from valuable metals. This process involves several high-risk steps that require strict regulation to prevent environmental contamination:

• Draining hazardous fluids, including brake fluid, antifreeze, and oil.
• The removal and management of batteries and airbags.
• The proper handling and disposal of tires and other waste.
• The use of shredders to process vehicle frames.

The DEQ maintains that by bypassing these permit-required controls, NW Metals operated in a manner that endangered the surrounding North Portland community.