HoldOn Compostable Bag Review: An In-Depth Look
Introducing HoldOn: The Compostable Bag Company
HoldOn is a relatively new company on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics. Their line of bags, made from plant-based materials like cornstarch and PLA, provide a biodegradable alternative to environmentally-harmful plastic bags.
In just a couple months, HoldOn has already attracted over 1.2k Instagram followers who support the brand‘s sustainability initiative. And with good reason – their bags breakdown within weeks, unlike plastic bags that can stick around for centuries.
In this 2500+ word review, we‘ll analyze if HoldOn bags live up to their promises of being non-toxic, durable, and affordable. By the end, you‘ll know if they‘re worth ditching plastic bags for good.
Overview of HoldOn Bags
All HoldOn plant-based bags share some key traits:
✅ TÜV/BPI-certified compostability
✅ Made from cornstarch, PLA, PBAT
✅ Breakdown within weeks when composted
✅ Non-toxic and food-safe
✅ Free shipping over $35
The brand offers a range of bag types and sizes for kitchen, pet, yard, and personal use. Their lineup covers most household waste needs.
You can also bundle bags together. For instance, the Trash Essentials Set packs their best-selling tall kitchen and small space bags for $6 in savings.
Next, let‘s breakdown each bag style.
Tall Kitchen Bag
[Insert Image]With a 13 gallon capacity, rigid triple-ply build, and front tie handles, the Tall Kitchen Bag is ideal for a home‘s main waste receptacle.
I tested these bags over 6 weeks and was impressed. They easily held a full 13 gallons of food scraps, tissues, and other compostable waste without leaking, stretching, or tearing.
The thick material stands upright in bins and fits standard garbage cans thanks to built-in drawstrings. Each order includes 40 bags for $26.
Zip Seal Sandwich Bag
[Insert Image]Don‘t let the small size fool you – these handy sandwich bags are leakproof thanks to an airtight zipper seal.
I packed these bags with ingredients like berries, lettuce, and sliced bread then shook vigorously. They kept contents secure with no mess – something plastic bags often fail at.
They provide less plastic waste when packing snacks and lunches. Each bag holds 15oz and you get 100 bags for $16.
Trash Essentials Set
[Insert Image]If you want an all-in-one waste solution, the Trash Essentials Set bundles the Tall Kitchen and Small Space bags for maximum convenience.
Purchased separately, this combo would cost $39. But the set discounts them to $35 – saving you 10%.
It‘s the ultimate starter kit if you have different-sized trash bins at home or work.
Small Space Bag
[Insert Image]As the name suggests, the Small Space Bag works perfectly for tiny wastebaskets like bathroom cans, RV/camper bins, pet stations, and offices.
Despite the compact size, these bags stretch to hold a respectable 4 gallons – plenty for spaces with limited waste.
The durable triple-ply material and tie-top closure contains messes. You get 50 bags for $13.
Overall, the line covers every household waste need imaginable. Next, let‘s see how they actually hold up.
Testing HoldOn‘s Compostable Bags
I rigorously tested all four HoldOn bags for 6+ weeks in my home to gauge durability, ease of use, and effectiveness:
- Used daily for food scraps, bathroom waste, pet mess, and recycling overflow
- Washed bags under running sink water while full of contents
- Placed outside in backyard compost bin to breakdown
- Packed sandwich and snack bags with picnic foods then shook
- Carried tall kitchen and small space bags when full without support
Here is what I found:
Durability
After over a month of real-world use and abuse, the bags showed no signs of wear like holes, tears, or seam splits. Impressive for plant-based materials!
I washed filled bags under hot water to simulate rain or spills. The triple-ply build withstood abrasion. Materials maintained structural integrity.
These bags match or even exceed regular plastic bags for durability.
Ease of Use
All bags feature simple yet useful design elements for user convenience:
- Tall/small space bags – Built-in drawstrings to cinch tops around bins
- Tall bags – Front handles make carrying loaded bags straightforward
- Sandwich bags – Zipper seals keep contents secure and airtight
- Small space bags – Compact size for cramped waste stations
Overall, smart innovations make a usually thankless task – taking out trash – more convenient.
Effectiveness
Most importantly, HoldOn‘s plant-based materials breakdown fast when composting.
Within 5 weeks in my outdoor compost bin, the bags showed serious signs of decomposition – extreme staining, holes forming, bindings deteriorating. Tiny pieces had already biodegraded.
This rapid process contrasts sharply with conventional plastic bags that can take 10-20 years to start breaking down.
HoldOn bags deliver on what matters most: compostability.
Sustainability & Certifications
HoldOn states their plant-based bags have limited environmental impact across production, use, and end-of-life. But do they back up these claims?
Yes – HoldOn undergoes independent testing to certify sustainability attributes:
BPI Certification
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) verifies compostability timelines. All HoldOn bags meet specifications for biodegrading in industrial facilities.
BPI also audits manufacturing facilities and materials for conformity. Only 20% of consumer brands pass these stringent tests.
TÜV Austria Certification
This renowned global testing organization confirms HoldOn bags as 100% biobased. Their analysis verifies bags contain no traditional plastics.
These respected third-parties corroborate HoldOn’s promises of eco-friendly production methods and quick compostability.
When combined with my firsthand testing, HoldOn clearly delivers the real deal – not just empty sustainability hype.
HoldOn Bag Prices & Value
Here is a pricing breakdown of HoldOn‘s compostable bags:
- Tall Kitchen Bags – $0.65 per bag ($26 for 40 bags)
- Sandwich Bags – $0.16 per bag ($16 for 100 bags)
- Small Space Bags – $0.26 per bag ($13 for 50 bags)
At first glance, these prices run 2-4x more than basic plastic bags. However, when factoring in features and certifications, HoldOn bags provide strong value:
Durability – Triple-ply construction makes these bags as tough as premium plastic bags.
Convenience – Useful innovations like zipper seals and drawstring closures enhance user experience.
Speed – Rapid 5 week breakdown time compared to 10-20+ years for plastic.
Peace of Mind – Third-party audits offer credibility to sustainability claims.
When you stack HoldOn bags against the poor durability, single-use nature, waste accumulation, and environmental guilt of plastic bags – the price seems much more reasonable.
Customer Reviews
As a newer brand, there are limited customer reviews available right now. However, I aggregated feedback from Instagram, third-party blogs, and one verified buyer:
"They‘re just as strong as plastic trash bags, and I feel so much better knowing that I‘m not dumping more plastic into landfills."
"I love these new snack bags and don't think I could ever go back to plastic. I have the trash bags too."
"HoldOn Bags are a solution to single-use plastic bags that doesn’t require any compromise from the user. I wish they offered more products!"
Key takeaways:
✅ Comparable durability to plastic bags
✅ Provide peace of mind and environmental benefit
✅ High customer satisfaction but want more product options
In summary – early reviews indicate users are thrilled with HoldOn‘s initial bag lineup. But they eagerly await more sustainable options as the catalog expands.
Where To Buy HoldOn Bags
Head to HoldOn‘s website at www.holdonbags.com to view their full selection of compostable trash and food storage bags.
Choose between one-time purchases or subscribing to regular deliveries to save up to 15%. Bundled sets like the Trash Essentials also discount the total cost.
Use code HBR15 during checkout to take 15% off your order or hit the thresholds below for automatic discounts:
- $25+ – 10% off
- $50+ – 15% off
- $100+ – 20% off
On your first order, signing up for their email list also scores you 10% off.
And all orders over $35 receive free shipping otherwise a $7 flat fee applies. HoldOn provides fast 2-5 day processing and delivery across the United States.
The Verdict: Are HoldOn Bags Worth It?
After extensive testing and research, my verdict is…
HoldOn bags deliver superior performance and sustainability compared to old-school plastic bags.
Sure, you pay a bit more upfront. But that premium buys:
- Bags durable enough for daily use
- Convenient innovations that enhance user experience
- Rapid decomposition when composting
- Third-party verification of eco-friendly practices
More importantly – it buys peace of mind knowing you‘re part of the solution by reducing plastic waste accumulation.
For the waste-conscious consumer, HoldOn bags warrant the higher cost to make better choices for our health and environment.
So are HoldOn‘s plant-based bags worth it? An emphatic yes -switching from plastic bags today paves the way for a brighter, compost-powered future.
