Coke Launches African Sustainable Sourcing Initiative “The Coca-Cola Company and its African bottling partners will invest $5 billion over the next six years to fund new manufacturing lines and cooling and distribution equipment and production, as well as support programs that focus on safe water access, sourcing and other sustainability initiatives. The investment increases Coke’s total announced investment in Africa to $17 billion from 2010 to 2020.” (EnvironmentalLeader.com)

Fortistar Nears Deal to Buy Primary Energy Recycling “Power and renewable energy investor Fortistar is nearing a deal to buy Primary Energy Recycling Corp., according to people familiar with the matter. Primary Energy, an Oak Brook, Ill., clean-energy company that recycles heat into electricity and steam, trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and has a market capitalization of about 244 million Canadian dollars (US$222.5 million).” (The Wall Street Journal)

Group launches new ads to derail California plastic bag ban “As the California state legislature prepares to close out its legislative session, opponents to a bill that would ban single-use thin film bags at retailers statewide are turning up the heat. The American Progressive Bag Alliance (APBA) launched a six-figure online, television and radio ad blitz in Sacramento, building on an ad campaign begun in May to oppose Senate Bill 270, the latest in a years-long string of bag ban attempts, sponsored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacioma).” (Plastics News)

Discharge of mining waste in B.C. forces water ban “Authorities say the equivalent of 2,000 Olympic swimming pools of mining waste has been discharged into waterways in British Columbia's Cariboo region, forcing hundreds to stop using water in the area. The tailings pond of the Mount Polley mine, about 140 kilometres southeast of Quesnel in northern B.C., was breached early Monday, forcing a water-use ban. The Cariboo Regional District issued the advisory for the town of Likely and for residents around Quesnel Lake, Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek and Cariboo Creek.” (The Mississauga News)

Colerain Twp. says no deal in Rumpke suit “No is a short word and it doesn't take long to say. Colerain Township trustees took less than a minute to vote not to settle the lawsuit filed by the Rumpke Sanitary Landfill in 2006 over the expansion of the landfill. The proposed settlement would have allowed Rumpke to expand its landfill operations by about 300 acres and would have resulted in payments of close to $2.5 million annually in payments and tipping fees to the township.” (Cincinnati.com)

Prince Rupert Landfill upgrades to cost $9.5 million by 2018 “Extensive work at the Prince Rupert Landfill is underway. An estimated $9.5 million in upgrades will be completed at the Prince Rupert Landfill by the end of 2018, with the City of Prince Rupert picking up the tab for any portion not funded by grants. Commissioned in 1991, the Prince Rupert Landfill was given a lifespan of up to 100 years.” (Northern View)

Deluge of water bottles overflow recycling bins “A weekend’s worth of bottles accumulated during a water-quality crisis that forced those in the Toledo area to turn from the tap to the bottle. Recycling providers readied for a plastic surge by adding drop-off sites and relaxing curbside rules. Republic told customers it would collect overflow recycling during its regular rounds over the next two weeks. Residents should put any spillover items in plastic bags and place it next to full recycling containers.” (ToledoBlade.com)

Youngstown contractor sentenced to 28 months for dumping fracking waste “The owner of a Youngstown oil-and-gas-drilling company was sentenced Tuesday to 28 months in prison for ordering employees to dump tens of thousands of gallons of fracking waste into a tributary of the Mahoning River. U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent also fined Benedict Lupo, 64, of suburban Poland $25,000. Nugent rejected defense attorney Roger Synenberg's request for home detention and a harsh fine.” (Cleveland.com)

Treat Sofa Waste Like E-Waste “Waste from sofas, cushions and other soft furnishings should be treated — and discarded — like e-waste, says Phys.org, reporting on a review led by William Stubbings at the University of Birmingham. Both electronics and sofa waste contain brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which can harm the environment and humans.” (Environmental Leader)