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Its been more than half a century since it became more common to ship freight in trucks than by train. But when one company decided to start selling its product in the New York City market, it built its own new rail terminal to avoid the cost and emissions of trucking. A truck is not an efficient way to take these types of materials long distance, says Grant Quasha, CEO of Eco Material Technologies. The company makes supplementary cementitious material or SCM, a component added to concrete to make it stronger and longer-lasting. The material is made from fly ash, a type of waste produced from coal plants that the company sources from landfills at locations throughout the country. A truck can hold 20 tons of it; a train, which can move as much as 2,000 tons, cuts emissions by at least 90%, Quasha says. The company wanted to serve the construction market in New York from one of its sites in rural Pennsylvania, as well as another site in Georgia. But since trucking would be cost-prohibitive and more polluting, they turned to the more old-fashioned solution of rail. First, they had to find rail lines that were still in use in the right location. We had to scour the area to find existing infrastructure that could work with our needs, Quasha says. They partnered with a local short-line railroad that owned a rail yard in Queens, not far from the companys concrete customers. Then they built a terminal in the rail yard that would work for their specific needs. Extra train tracks at the terminal allow them to store their product in train cars until its needed. [Photo: New York & Atlantic Railway Co.] The logistics are complicated. To make a delivery from one of the companys sites, in Pennsylvania, the train cant go straight there. There isnt a bridge or tunnel to accommodate a train to Queens, although a long-planned freight tunnel is under construction. After a train reaches New Jersey, the train cars go on a specialized barge with built-in train tracks. A tugboat pushes the barge across the Hudson and East Rivers, and then another locomotive picks up the train cars in Brooklyn. Right now, using this type of material in New York City usually means importing it from countries like Turkey and China. But it makes more sense, environmentally, for it to come from a place like Pennsylvania instead, Quasha says. (It also can avoid tariffs and crowded ports.) Over the last century, coal companies have sent billions of tons of waste to landfills, which Eco Material Technologies reprocesses for use in concrete. It also has the dual benefit of helping clean up the old dumps. When it’s used in concrete, it reduces the need for cement, which has a large carbon footprint. It makes the final concrete stronger, and less expensive. “People say, if these materials are cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and make better concrete, why aren’t they used all the time?” Quasha says. “The answer is supply: Historically, there hasn’t been enough of the material where you need when you need it. You don’t generally have these waste dumps next to midtown Manhattan.” At the new terminal, where deliveries have already started, the company plans to bring in around 50,000 tons of the product each year, on roughly 10 train cars each week.
Category:
E-Commerce
The rumors are true: Anheuser-Busch confirmed on Tuesday that its viral sensation Busch Light Apple will be back in stores in May for the first time since 2022. Thats welcome news to the legions of diehard fans who have been appealing the St. Louis-based beer maker to bring the apple-flavored lager back to stores for the past three years. “Before Busch Light Apple was taken off shelves, our fans chased down trucks to get their hands on it,” Krystyn Stowe, head of marketing at Busch Family & Natural Family at Anheuser-Busch, said in a statement to Fast Company. “They created Facebook groups with thousands of members to mourn the loss of their favorite beer, and Reddit threads became a new home for those looking to connect with others who miss the signature sweet taste of Busch Light Apple.” In recent weeks, people have taken to social media to share that theyve apparently found early-release cans of Busch Light Apple on shelves or videos of the beer on assembly lines. Such posts have typically sparked large numbers of comments from fans asking where the beer can be located. Its a bit tricky to unpeel what exactly kicked off the rumor mill this spring that “Babble”as fans call itmight be revived this year. However, in mid-March, a user on the X platform shared a photo that he said was from a December 2024 Anheuser-Busch meeting indicating a return of the fan-favorite beverage. That photo was subsequently shared widely across various social media platforms. To be fair, some fans were hoping it was a sign of good things to come as far back as October when Busch Beer celebrated National Apple Day with a photo of a bushel of the beer and apples on Instagram. One in every three comments on Busch Lights social posts is from fans urging us to bring back Busch Light Apple, and weve read every single one, Stowe added in a statement. But the good-news announcement comes some news that might disappoint: The company promises that Bapple will only be available while supplies last and urges fans to stock up. That said, Busch tells Fast Company that fans can expect to see the beer in stores “all summer long.” Busch league of fans All of this fervor might leave some of you scratching your heads in confusion: People are this passionate about . . . a Busch beverage? Oh, you have no idea. Something special seemingly happened when the Busch brand dropped its first flavored beer from the family tree in July 2020. Whether its the taste, the timing of the beverage launch, or the companys announcement that lampooned an Apple keynote presentation of new tech product launches, the beverage soon amassed a loyal Busch league of fans. How loyal? A lot of people toss around the word favorite when describing the lager thats made with real apple extract. And while theres seemingly a market for everything on eBay, some people have recently sold Bapple merchandise for $200 and up, while empty cans or even an empty box case could fetch $10. Apple tie-in This year, Anheuser-Busch has once again played up that Apple tie-in, enlisting a perhaps-unlikely spokesperson for the beverages rebirth: Ronald G.Wayne, who cofounded the tech giant alongside Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. Wayne, now 90, liquidated his 10% stake in Apple in 1976 for just $800 and hes parlaying a billion-dollar mistake that happened nearly 50 years ago as a selling point for fans to stock up on Busch Light Apple. This time, Im not missing out on a great, Apple-related opportunity, Wayne says in the YouTube ad before pointing to a pallet of Bapple and calling it a real good investment. When and where will Busch Light Apple beer be available? For fans who cant wait to get their hands on a cold can of Bapple, the Busch website has a locator feature to search for any brew, including Busch Light Apple, by zip code.
Category:
E-Commerce
Enthusiasm peaks in the early days of a new job. New hires are creative, motivated, and often, a fresh dose of optimism compared to their more tenured teammates. Yet, in a matter of weeks, that initial enthusiasm plunges by an average of 22%. The innovation and discretionary effort that comes with new-hire enthusiasm are a strategic advantage for any organization. But to be impactful, new-hire energy must last beyond the first few weeks. Here are four tips to preserve that early days enthusiasm: 1. Give Context, Not Just Content Too often, new teammates find out how it works here through pushback, sideways glances, and a slap on the wrist over red tape they didnt know existed. As a result, the motivation to drive results is quickly outweighed by the fear of reputational risk or political consequence. Its a preventable comedown. Effective onboarding must go beyond role-specific content. Organizational context is what gives new teammates the foundation to dive in effectively. In the onboarding process, answer questions like: How do different teams typically work together (or not)? Are there cultural norms around offering feedback? Is the decision-making hierarchy fluid or more rigid? What metrics are most important to the organization? (Beyond individual OKRs) Who determines whats considered urgent, and how is that typically communicated? This foundation enables new hires to make an impact fast, without fear of stepping on a cultural landmine. 2. Prove a Failure Tolerance If your organization needs to progress, failure inevitably comes with the territory. Yet, the prospect of failing can send a shockwave through someone eager to impress. A Move fast and break things poster does not have enough credibility to inspire risk-taking. Instead, prove an organizational failure tolerance by citing specific examples in onboarding. Share stories about failed launches, the buggy beta version, or internal projects that didnt pan out. Talk about what was learned, how the organization adapted, and most importantly, that the people behind those efforts are still here. 3. Follow-up on the Invitation for New Ideas The onboarding process can be overwhelming. Between setting up passwords, learning names, and attempting to decipher health insurance, there isnt much brain space left for innovation in the first few days. If you want new hires to speak up and bring a fresh perspective, follow up on that invitation after theyve had time to settle in. Go beyond Got any ideas? Ask pointed questions that show your interest in their perspective. Try prompts like: Im curious about your take on thisdo you think were missing anything? If you could start this (project, process, product) from scratch, what would you change? Were there any moments where you thought, Why do we do it this way? Showing new hires that We want new ideas!” isnt just a perfunctory corporate welcome. 4. Share the Metrics, But Dont Start the Clock Ambitious new hires want to know the criteria for success. Even if they dont ask, share the metrics a new hire will (eventually) be evaluated against. Whether its delivery timeline, revenue targets, or client satisfaction, be clear about what good looks like. But dont start the clock right away. Give new hires time to build relationships and develop a meaningful understanding of how to achieve those numbers effectively. If metrics are not shared up front and only surface during a later performance review, it can feel like the rules are being made up mid-game. On the flip side, starting assessment on the first day can feel overwhelming or even unfair. Align early on key metrics of success, but delay starting the “clock” for 6090 days in performance-based roles. Be transparent, but not premature in applying pressure. Will every day of work be as exciting as day one? Probably not. The adrenaline of a new job is impossible to sustain. Yet, with intentionality, preserving new-hire enthusiasm is possible.
Category:
E-Commerce
Spicy pickle soda. Dirty protein soda. Cereal milk soda. These arent your standard mocktail offeringsbut thats exactly the point. On May 12, Olipop will launch its first-ever soda drive-thru in Los Angeles, offering an array of offbeat, internet-inspired drinks and limited-edition mocktails, with the first drink free to the public. The pop-up event taps into the internets growing obsession with so-called beverage goblin culture, which has people cycling through multiple drinks at once for hydration, energy, and fun. Theres just so much chatter around just these internet drinks and the whole like beverage goblin trend, where people have their hydration drink, their fun drink, and their caffeine on their desk, said Steven Vigilante, Olipops director of strategic partnerships. This is a reflection of that . . . Giving people an opportunity to actually do something, get out of the house and go try one of these for free. The drive-thru mocktail menu leans into the experimental, including three different flavors. Theres the Cereal Milk Soda, which is an orange cream Olipop mixed with vanilla almond milk, rimmed with vanilla frosting, and topped with fruit cereal. There’s also the Dirty Protein Soda, which is an orange cream with Koias vanilla bean protein shake. And there’s the Spicy Pickle Soda, a mix of pickle and jalapeo juice with Olipops vintage cola. While the novelty drinks are temporary, one fan favorite is making a permanent return. Olipops 12-ounce orange cream flavor, which first went viral in 2021, is officially joining the brands year-round lineup. Fans have been asking for its comeback on social media: Love this bestie but pls bring back orange cream, wrote one Instagram user. Another added, Next bring back orange cream pls . . . Ive never tasted anything better in my life. Starting April 29, its back permanently in the flavor lineup. [Photo: Olipop] The event also relates to the resurgence of soda culturespecifically, the dirty soda trend that blew up following the release of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in late 2024. The reality series highlighted the oversize soda drinks popular in Utah, where chains like Swig and Sodalicious serve highly customized soft drinks mixed with flavored syrups and cream. Olipops orange cream soda fits right in with the trend. Creamy fruit flavors are the best for dirty sodas. They mix really well with the creamer. And we just thought this would be a fun way to do it. It’s like a kickoff this summer, Vigilante said. This is a beverage brand and a product that people need to try and touch and feel and taste. Adding to the event, Olipop is teaming up with Crocs for a limited-edition merch drop. The collaboration includes bright orange Bae Clogs in an Orangesicle colorway and exclusive Jibbitz charms. The items wont be sold online or in stores, as only a limited number will be given away at the drive-thru while supplies last. Attendees can also try a drink designed for the occasion: the Orange Dreamsicle Crocs-Taila mix of Olipops orange cream, half and half, vanilla syrup, whipped cream, and a branded popsicle. For those unable to attend in person, Olipop will run a virtual version of the event from May 12 through May 19. Online participants can enter to win a drive-thru kit or a case of the returning orange cream flavor. The event was originally planned for January, but postponed due to wildfires in Los Angeles. Now, it’s being used in association with the companys community-first approach. We are using this drive-thru as a way to create a nice community event in L.A. and give back to some of the folks who were impacted by the fires, said Vigilante.
Category:
E-Commerce
The Trump administration has frozen, stalled or otherwise disrupted some $430 billion in federal fundsfrom disease research to Head Start for children to disaster aidin what top Democrats say is an “unprecedented and dangerous” assault on programs used by countless Americans.Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut on Tuesday released an online tracker that is compiling all the ways President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency are interrupting the flow of federal funds, often going up against the law.“Instead of investing in the American people, President Trump is ignoring our laws and ripping resources away,” said Murray and DeLauro, who are the top Democrats on the Appropriations committees in Congress.“No American president has ever so flagrantly ignored our nation’s spending laws or so brazenly denied the American people investments they are owed,” they said.The tally is far from complete or exhaustive, the lawmakers said, but a snapshot in time. It comes in a rapidly changing political and legal environment as the Trump administration faces dozens of lawsuits from state and local governments, advocacy organizations, employees and others fighting to keep programs intact.At 100 days into Trump’s return to the presidency, the project showcases the extent to which the White House is blocking money that Congress has already approved, touching off a constitutional battle between the executive and legislative branches that has real world ramifications for the communities the lawmakers serve.The White House and its Republican allies in Congress have said they are working to root out waste, fraud and abuse in government. The Trump administration is in court fighting to keep many of the administration’s cuts even as Musk, whose own popularity has dropped, says he will be cycling off DOGE’s day-to-day work.And Trump’s director of the Office of Management and Budget intends to soon send Congress a $9 billion rescissions package, to claw back funds through cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development and others.Murray and DeLauro said they want to “shine a light on President Trump’s vast, illegal funding freeze and how it is hurting people in every zip code in America.” They said it’s time for Trump and Musk “to end this unprecedented and dangerous campaign.”While Republicans have also stirred with concerns about Trump’s spending cuts, many are reluctant to do so publicly as they try to avoid Trump’s reactions. Instead, they tend to work behind the scenes to restore federal dollars to their home states or other constituencies that have been put at risk by Trump’s actions.The powerful Appropriations committees in the House and the Senate, where Republicans have majority control of both chambers, draft the annual funding bills that are ultimately approved by Congress and sent to the president’s desk for his signature to become law. Lisa Mascaro, AP Congressional Correspondent
Category:
E-Commerce
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