At this juncture in the global pandemic, we have all directly or indirectly encountered the effects of Covid-19 induced supply chain problems, whether they be in the form of shortages of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, infant formula or other critical everyday items. However, one unusual supply chain issue that consumers have been mostly insulated from and unaware of is the ongoing nationwide shortage of glass food and beverage containers such as bottles and jars. The lack of glass has multi-faceted reasons including factories and manufacturers halting or slowing down glass production, making it extremely difficult to meet the demands that are currently being placed. To further compound matters, much of the manufacturing of glass containers is located overseas with a lack of shipping containers and labor at ports resulting in shipment delays and higher costs for manufacturers. For the vendors in our markets, this glass shortage is problematic on two fronts — firstly, they need the glassware in order to safely package and transport their products, and, secondly, the spike in the price of glass can impact their bottom line and result in higher end prices for shoppers. To sidestep these issues, our vendors have had to get creative in meeting their glassware needs, whether it be seeking out alternative manufacturers or finding cheaper sources. Many who did not already have them in place have also introduced what are referred to as container “takeback” programs. A takeback program is one where a manufacturer or merchant will accept your empty, intact and rinsed containers in order to repurpose them in some way, and, in return, they will often offer customers a discount on their purchase of a new item. To find out if your favorite market vendors will accept your empties, simply look for the sign at their tent or ask them if they have some sort of program in place. Takebacks can be especially helpful to vendors in light of current global resource shortages which show no signs of coming to an end any time soon. These efforts are also beneficial to the environment, as vendors can be relied on to creatively repurpose empty containers instead of tossing them into the trash or sending them to a recycling facility. Unfortunately, due to its high breakability and heavy weight, there is a lack of recycling infrastructure for glass in the United States. This means that a significant portion of glass that has been sorted for recycling instead ends up getting sent to a landfill or incinerator. Furthermore, vendors will often reuse containers in ways that require less energy expenditure and carbon emissions than the glass recycling process itself entails. As a mission-driven Certifed B Corporation, Down to Earth Markets supports and encourages environmentally-conscientious, “greener” shopping habits and initiatives such as takebacks. We love to see shoppers delight in the locally produced and sustainably sourced bounty of our markets, while scooping it into their reusable bags and baskets. We also work with municipalities who run food scrap recycling programs to install drop-off depots in our markets which help divert valuable, organic matter from the waste-stream and into composting facilities. Overall, we are proud to support the local food economy while fostering a greener, more sustainable and resilient system for everyone.