A new kind of recycling center is coming to Fairfax called Cosmic Recycling. The new venture was created by Donnie Hopp and Mark Way who share a mutual commitment to addressing the escalating environmental challenge. The two have created other recycling centers in the state. Their new Fairfax site will give option for disposing of discarded solar panels and electronic waste instead of sending them to the landfills.
Hopp serves as the Director of Operations with Way as Director of Development & Services. In starting Cosmic Recycling, the two worked closely with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and many counties in the state to provide a safe and affordable option for electronic and solar panel recycling.
Cosmic was awarded a grant by the MPCA in the amount of $850,000. The grant funds were used for their new location in Fairfax and were applied to install an air handling system, recycling equipment, forklifts and a skidsteer. Both Hopp and Way stressed the importance of air handling and air quality in the new plant.