Summary:
HoldOn offers a range of compostable, plant-based bags designed as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bags. These bags are made from durable, non-toxic materials like PBAT, PLA, and cornstarch. I have found they are as sturdy as name brand bags and effective in everyday usage. HoldOn’s products have undergone extensive testing and are certified home compostable.
Introduction
I was fortunate enough to try out the HoldOn line of garbage and storage biodegradable bags before the company launch. HoldOn bags are an all-new line of trash, kitchen, and storage bags made from compostable, plant-based and nontoxic materials that are heavy-duty and eco-friendly. HoldOn biodegradable and compostable bags are a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bags that won’t break down in land fills for thousands of years.
What are HoldOn bags made of?
HoldOn biodegradable bags (some write Hold On bags) are made from plant-based, non-toxic, completely compostable materials that are durable and strong like plastic but decompose in weeks, not centuries.
- PBAT-Polybutylene adipate terephthalate, known as PBAT breaks down quickly without emitting methane gas or toxic residue. Additionally, PBAT uses less crude oil and fossil fuel than traditional plastics during production.
- PLA-Polylactic acid, also known as PLA, is a plant-based material is made from the sugars in corn starch, cassava or sugarcane. PLA requires 65% less energy than traditional plastics in production and emits 68% less greenhouse gases as it decomposes.
- Cornstarch-Cornstarch is a common household substance that bonds the elements in our material to produce a flexible, durable final product. This organic material breaks down quickly, without emitting toxic gases.
- Responsible Packaging-HoldOn bags use all responsibly-sourced, FSC certified boxes to package our products and don’t use unnecessary paper packaging – and never plastic.
Hold On bags discount code
CLICK the link below to be taken to the HoldOn Products Page and get a FREE box of sandwich bags with discount code CLEANINGLADY!
What’s the big deal about plastic?
Unfortunately, plastic pollution and waste has become a huge problem for us and the environment. Plastic also requires large amounts of fossil fuels to create in production. Plastic breaks down very slowly, maybe taking 500 to 1000 years. During decomposition, plastic emits harmful toxic gasses which contribute to climate change. When plastic breaks down, it dissolves into microplastics – small shards of plastic – that are ingested by animals and harm wildlife and us. A third of the world’s fish contain microplastics, which travels up the food chain to other animals and even humans. It is estimated that we are eating a credit card’s worth of plastic each week! Yikes!
About the company
HoldOn is a company committed to sustainability. It uses only renewable resources in the production of its bags. It is a certified B Corporation, which means it meets high standards of social and environmental performance. It is also a member of the Sustainable Brands movement, which is a global community of businesses working to create a more sustainable future.
HoldOn believes that everyone has a role to play in creating a more sustainable future. It is committed to doing its part by using renewable resources and making its products as sustainable as possible. It is also committed to raising awareness of the importance of sustainability and encouraging other businesses to make more sustainable choices.
HoldOn is proud to be a part of the movement to create a more sustainable future.
HoldOn Products
HoldOn compostable bags sell four different products. You can bundle these into sets for a better price. For an even less expensive alternative, you can subscribe to the website and get 15% off. Their prices are comparable to other bags on the market.
- Tall Kitchen Trash Bag
- One-Time: $25.75
- Subscription: $21.99
- Small Space Trash Bag
- One-Time: $13.00
- Subscription: $10.99
- Gallon Zip Seal Bag
- One-Time: $10.60
- Subscription: $8.99
- Sandwich Zip Seal Bag
- One-Time: $15.25
- Subscription: $12.99
- Trash Essential Set: $34.99
- Includes 1 pack of Tall Kitchen and 1 pack of Small Space
- Stash & Storage Set: $22.99
- Includes 1 pack Gallon Zip Seal and 1 pack Sandwich Zip Seal
- Household Staples Set: $49.99
- Includes 1 pack of Tall Kitchen, 1 pack of Small Space, 1 pack Gallon Zip Seal and 1 pack Sandwich Zip Seal
CLICK the link below to be taken to the HoldOn Products Page and get a FREE box of sandwich bags with discount code CLEANINGLADY!
Do they work?
The short answer is yes and no.
I was very impressed with the bags that I tried. The trash bags are very sturdy. They are stronger than any other biodegradable bags I’ve tried and could give Glad and other name brands a run for their money. The tie strap is heavy duty. And I don’t feel guilty for throwing them in the bin as they will decompose in weeks in a landfill.
The sandwich bags and freezer bags are also strong and the ziplock is sufficient to hold them closed.
I especially like the smaller waste bags for small trash. I have put one in my compost container on the counter and can just tie the bag up and throw it in the compost when full. I’ll let you know how long they actually take to decompose.
I love the color and the writing on the bags as well. Who said you can’t make a statement with your garbage bags!
What are the cons?
While these bags are strong and good for your home and the environment, they are slow to compost in backyard compost bin. Backyard compost do not get as hot as municipal landfills which generate a great amount of heat to degrade the materials. Below is a picture of the bags after six months in my compost:
The blue material are the bags. So they do biodegrade, but more slowly. Now I still recommend them and really feel better about myself and my contribution to saving the planet using them, especially the ones I throw in the trash that end up in the landfill. Overall it is much less plastic that is reaching out landfills, oceans and rivers.
How to use HoldOn bags
Simply replace your ordinary bags with HoldOn bags!
Trash: Open bag and line empty trash bin with bag. Toss your trash in the bag. Once full, tie the top and lift out of bin. Dispose of as usual. Bag will break down when exposed to heat, pressure, and air in a matter of weeks.
Sandwich and gallon: Food-safe and nontoxic HoldOn bags are perfect to replace household plastic
bags. Use in food preparation and food storage. Tote snacks on the go, and keep toiletries tidy while traveling by tossing them in a HoldOn bag before packing.
To discard, simply throw away as normal or compost at home by removing non-food material and
placing in your home compost bin. Bag will break down when exposed to heat, pressure, and air in a matter of weeks.
Difference Between Compostable vs. Biodegradable Bags
HoldOn bags are 100% home compostable – but that doesn’t mean you need to compost to use them. They use materials that are TUV-certified to the highest standards of compostability – meaning that they break down in weeks, not years, after you toss ‘em. HoldOn bags are BPI and TUV Austria certified.
“TUV Austria is the most intensive certifying body for compostable goods. HoldOn bags are TUV Certified home compostable. This means they have passed the most stringent tests for at home composting and have been proven to break down effectively in a home compost in a timely manner.”
BPI Certification signals that our products can be effectively composted in a commercial composting facility. This rigorous testing ensures that HoldOn bags biodegrade without leaving behind synthetic residue.
In a nutshell, HoldOn bags have been rigorously tested and can be composted right in your backyard or an industrial facility.” –HoldOnBags.com
For non-composters, simply use HoldOn bags like normal. Fill HoldOn trash bags with your garbage, then tie and toss! Once they end in a landfill and are exposed to heat, air, and pressure, they’ll decompose without emitting toxic gases – and won’t stick around for centuries like plastic bags.
For sandwich and storage bags, use – and toss – as normal bags.
How to compost eco-friendly your bags
Fill your HoldOn bags with compostable material only – food scraps, newspaper, cardboard, etc. – and toss into your compost pile or bin. Treat as normal compost waste, and in a few weeks the bag will break down.
HoldOn bags make throwing away bags guilt-free and eco-friendly. These are the bags that I, and the planet, have been waiting for. For more information visit HoldOnbags.com.
To truly go ecofriendly in your house, pair Reusable Paper Towels and Eco-friendly Cleaning Products with your cleaning products!
About The Cleaning Lady
I’m a professional house cleaner with 20 years of experience cleaning houses under my belt, and I’ve learned a lot about cleaning, organizing and how people react to these tasks. I’ve worked with hoarders, people will mental disorders and the young and old. What I’ve learned is everyone has different levels of “clean” and most people hate to clean. I give you cleaning and organization tips that are easy to use and don’t take all your time. And I am a fan of gadgets that will help you clean. My motto is “Clean smarter, not harder!”