On April 3, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority announced the promotion of Mimi Joy Cooper to the position of Authority Recycling Coordinator.

Mimi has been with the Authority for 9 years, initially as a Customer Service Representative and more recently as the Assistant Recycling Coordinator. 

During this time she has worked to successfully apply for hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding; made continued improvements to our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event; and is currently working diligently to help implement the Navusoft routing program, for greater efficiency in our Collections department.

According to Executive Director Ted Onufrak, “Mimi’s background and prior work experience with the Authority make her the ideal candidate to not only maintain the Authority’s current recycling programs but to also grow the program in the future.”

Prior to her position with the Authority, Mimi was the Commercial Recycling Assistant for the Centre Region Council of Governments. 

In this position, she  worked to enhance the commercial recycling program for the Centre Region by coordinating inter- agency efforts and developing a strong educational program for commercial properties in those area municipalities with mandated recycling.

Mimi’s interest in waste management began in 1998 as a Penn State graduate and employee. 

During her time as Manager of the Dining Room at the Inn and Whiskers Lounge, Mimi represented Penn State Hospitality Services on Penn State’s Organic Materials Processing Education Committee and established the organic materials collection at the Nittany Lion Inn. 

Over the following decade, Mimi continued her hospitality career working closely with her husband Jonathan developing the Amano Café brand and opening a small chain of restaurants in London U.K. operating with a dedication to sustainable product sourcing as well as environmental and social responsibility. 

Returning to the States in 2010, Mimi’s work and volunteer experience in environmental education led her to a position on a Penn State’s Cooperative Extension board where she advocates for sustainable agricultural resource and waste management.

We are excited to welcome Mimi in her new role of Authority Recycling Coordinator and look forward to what the future holds.

Mimi can be reached by email at mcooper@centrecountyrecycles.org or by phone at 814-238-7005.

Visit the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority website to learn more about recycling opportunities in Centre County.

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[Posted: April 3, 2024]

4/8/2024