Ditching Plastic? My Honest Review of HoldOn Compostable Bags
Hey there conscious consumer! If you‘re like me, you‘ve been hearing more and more about the plastic pollution crisis lately. Did you know over 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year? Or that the average American family takes home almost 1,500 plastic shopping bags a year? It‘s a staggering amount of waste that ends up languishing in landfills and polluting our oceans for centuries.
I don‘t know about you, but that plastic guilt was really weighing on me. I started looking for eco-friendly alternatives and stumbled upon HoldOn compostable bags. They‘re made from all-natural plant materials and designed to completely break down in home and industrial compost in just a matter of weeks.
Sounds almost too good to be true, right? I thought so too, which is why I decided to put HoldOn bags to the test. I used them exclusively in my home for a month, composted some myself, and even interviewed sustainability experts to get the full scoop.
So if you‘re considering ditching plastic for compostable bags, read on for my honest HoldOn review and learn how these bags perform, how they stack up to other brands, and whether they‘re really worth the hype.
What‘s the Deal with Plastic Bags?
Before we dive into compostable bags, let‘s take a quick step back to understand the problem with plastic ones. Here are some frightening plastic bag facts:
- Worldwide, a trillion plastic bags are used and discarded every year[^1]
- Only 1% of plastic bags are returned for recycling[^2]
- It takes 1,000 years for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill[^3]
- 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic bags annually[^4]
- Plastic bags are among the top 5 items found in coastal cleanups[^5]
The root of the issue is that plastic bags are made from fossil fuels and designed to last forever. When they do break down, they just turn into smaller and smaller microplastics that end up in our soil, water, food supply, and even our bloodstreams. Yuck.
Many cities and states have started implementing plastic bag bans or taxes after calculating that they spend $4 billion a year disposing of plastic bags.[^6] But in most places, plastic is still the default.
What Are Holdon Bags Made From?
HoldOn bags offer a more sustainable solution thanks to their innovative compostable materials. The bags are derived from corn starch, PLA, and PBAT—three renewable, plant-based resources.
Here‘s a quick breakdown of the key ingredients:
| Ingredient | What is it? | How it‘s eco-friendly |
|---|---|---|
| Corn starch | Starch extracted from corn kernels | Renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic |
| PLA (Polylactic acid) | Bioplastic made from fermented plant starch | Compostable, made from renewable resources like corn and sugarcane |
| PBAT (Polybutylene adipate terephthalate) | Biodegradable polymer used in flexible packaging | Breaks down in compost, fossil-fuel-free |
When blended together, these bio-based polymers mimic the durability and flexibility of conventional plastic bags. But their molecular structure allows them to be consumed and broken down by microbes in compost in about 10-12 weeks. Pretty amazing, huh?
Now, this doesn‘t mean HoldOn bags will start to degrade if you have them in your house for a few months. They‘re shelf-stable and can last for over a year when stored properly. But once you do toss them in a compost bin, nature does its work and turns them back into nutrient-rich soil.
My Experience with HoldOn Compostable Bags
Alright, let‘s get into how these bags actually performed in my home! I tested a variety of HoldOn products, including:
- 13-gallon tall kitchen bags
- 4-gallon small trash bags
- Zippered sandwich bags
First impressions? The HoldOn bags look, feel, and function almost exactly like traditional plastic ones. I probably wouldn‘t be able to tell them apart in a blind test. The material has that same smooth texture and flexibility.
The tall kitchen bags were my favorite. I have a big family and we generate a lot of food waste, so I was skeptical if a compostable bag could handle the volume without breaking. But the HoldOn bags have a thick, triple-ply construction that‘s virtually leak- and tear-proof.
I also liked that the bags have convenient drawstring handles, making them easy to cinch, lift, and carry out when full. Plus, they block any nasty smells inside. After tying them up, I couldn‘t detect any odors at all!
As for the sandwich baggies, they also worked great. The dual zipper seal is secure for storing snacks or tossing food scraps in your bag on the go. I used them as doggie poop bags too (not simultaneously of course) and they never failed.
The only minor downside is the bags can get staticky and cling to your hands. But that‘s a small price to pay for not polluting the planet, IMO.
From a performance standpoint, I really can‘t rave about HoldOn bags enough. They check all the boxes in terms of strength, odor control, and functionality. The fact that they‘re fully compostable is just the biodegradable cherry on top!
How to Compost HoldOn Bags
Okay, so the bags work great, but what about the other big selling point—their compostability? To put it to the test, I buried an assortment of used HoldOn bags in my backyard compost bin.
Spoiler alert: They basically disappeared before my eyes! After just 6 weeks, I dug through the compost and only found a few tattered remnants left behind. The heat, moisture, and hungry microbes had reduced the bags to shreds that crumbled in my hands.
I reached out to Dr. Anjali Goswami, a waste management researcher, to confirm if what I observed was normal. "Your home composting test demonstrates these bags are the real deal," she told me. "In ideal compost conditions with the right balance of aeration and microbes, HoldOn bags can disappear in as little as 8-12 weeks."
If you want to compost HoldOn bags at home too, Dr. Goswami shared some tips:
- Cut the bags into smaller pieces before adding to your bin
- Bury bags at least 6-10 inches deep in the center of your pile
- Maintain a 50/50 ratio of "green" and "brown" compost materials
- Keep your compost moist and turn it every couple weeks to distribute oxygen
No backyard compost? No problem. Toss your HoldOn bags in your curbside green waste bin if your city offers compost collection. The bags are also certified for commercial and industrial composting facilities. Just be sure to remove any non-compostable bits like produce stickers or twist ties first.
How HoldOn Compares to Other Compostable Bags
Of course, HoldOn isn‘t the only compostable bag brand out there. To see how they measure up, I researched some of their top competitors:
| Brand | Materials | Sizes Available | Average Price Per Bag | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioBag | Blend of PLA and PBAT | 3-gallon, 13-gallon | $0.56 small, $1.12 large | BPI, OK Compost Home |
| Repurpose | PLA | Sandwich bags only | $0.19 | BPI |
| UNNI | Corn and cassava starch | 2.6-gallon, 8-gallon, 13-gallon | $0.20-$0.30 | None |
As you can see, HoldOn offers some of the most variety in terms of sizes and a very competitive price point. But one major differentiator is their transparent labeling and certifications.
Many other so-called "biodegradable" or "compostable" bags make unsubstantiated claims or use vague language about their materials. HoldOn clearly lists their plant-based ingredients and holds BPI and TUV Austria certifications, meaning they meet strict scientific standards for compostability.
Repurpose and BioBag are similarly certified, but don‘t have as many size options. I also found their bags a bit flimsier overall compared to HoldOn‘s extra-sturdy construction. UNNI technically has the cheapest prices, but their lack of certifications raises some red flags.
At the end of the day, I felt confident HoldOn was the best choice for my needs and values. From the quality and variety to the transparent sustainability, they really stood out from the compostable bag pack.
The Bottom Line on HoldOn Bags
We‘re at a crucial tipping point when it comes to plastic pollution. Our planet simply cannot sustain the amount of single-use plastic we consume and toss daily. While using less overall is ideal, compostable alternatives like HoldOn bags are a huge step in the right direction.
In case it‘s not obvious, I‘m a big fan of these bags! Not only can you feel good about using a product that won‘t sit in a landfill for generations, but you don‘t have to sacrifice any of the functionality of regular plastic bags.
HoldOn bags are incredibly durable, waterproof, odor-blocking, and easy to use. When you‘re done with them, just toss them in your compost bin and let nature run its course. No microplastics, no toxins, no guilt.
At about the same price per bag as Glad or Hefty, there‘s really no reason not to make the switch. HoldOn even offers discounts for first-time buyers and repeat deliveries to help you save even more green (both kinds).
If you‘re ready to break up with plastic bags, I can‘t recommend HoldOn enough. For convenience, quality, and environmental impact, they truly can‘t be beat. Order a pack and join me in composting your way to a zero waste future—your planet will thank you!
[^1]: "Planet or Plastic?" National Geographic.[^2]: "Plastic Recycling Facts." Plastic Oceans International.
[^3]: "Waste and Recycling Facts." Rubicon.
[^4]: "Plastic Bag Environmental Impact." Green Citizen.
[^5]: "10 Single-Use Plastics You Can Quit Today." WWF.
[^6]: "Plastic Bag Consumption Facts." Center for Biological Diversity.
