HoldOn

Packaging

Products come in plain cardboard boxes made from 100% FSC-certified paperboard, with no plastic film, foam, or filler. The boxes and inserts are fully recyclable and sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Material Sustainability

All HoldOn products are made from a combination of plant-based and compostable polymers, specifically PLA (polylactic acid) derived from corn sugar, PBAT (a biodegradable co-polyester), and cornstarch. This means the bags contain no conventional petro-plastics like polyethylene. By using renewable inputs (plant starch and PLA) and a biodegradable polymer, HoldOn avoids the worst offender materials (e.g. 100% virgin plastic) and substantially lowers the long-term environmental impact of its products.

Energy & Footprint

HoldOn does not publish any data on its energy consumption, manufacturing emissions, or overall carbon footprint. There is no evidence that the company uses renewable energy in production or has implemented carbon-neutral operations (e.g. offsets or carbon credits), nor does it provide a life-cycle assessment of its products. The brand’s focus is on plastic waste reduction, but in terms of climate impact and transparency, it shows limited action.

Waste Management

The brand’s core contribution to waste reduction is that its products prevent plastic waste: a HoldOn bag, after use, can be composted to become soil rather than lingering as trash for centuries. This inherently addresses post-consumer waste, as the bags “break down in a matter of weeks” under composting conditions and do not leave behind persistent microplastics. 

Business Model

HoldOn’s business model reflects a “slow consumption” ethos more than a high-turnover one. The company offers a limited line of everyday staples (trash bags, food storage bags, and a pet waste bag) and isn’t constantly rolling out new product types or gimmicky variations. This focus on core products suggests an emphasis on quality and sustainability over trend-chasing. 

The brand explicitly states that its bags are free of BPA, phthalates, PFOA/PFAS, and other harmful chemicals. This is important because some plastics and even certain “biodegradable” products can contain toxic plasticizers or heavy metals, but HoldOn’s certifications help verify their safety. In fact, to earn BPI and TÜV compostability certifications, the bags had to pass tests ensuring no eco-toxic effects and no hazardous residues when they break down. The ingredients used (PLA, PBAT, starch) are generally recognized as safe: PLA is food-contact safe and often used in packaging, and PBAT is designed to biodegrade without generating harmful compounds. The HoldOn website and independent reviews emphasize that the bags do not leach any dangerous substances; there’s “no chemical smell” to the bags and they are food-safe for storing edibles. From a transparency standpoint, HoldOn does list its primary bag components publicly.

Fair Labor

Labor practices and sourcing transparency appear to be a weak spot for HoldOn. The company provides no public information about where its products are manufactured or the labor conditions involved. There is no mention of factory locations, worker wages, or compliance with fair labor standards on the website or in available materials. This lack of disclosure is typical of many small consumer brands, but it prevents us from confirming whether HoldOn’s supply chain upholds ethical labor practices.

However, HoldOn does hold Certified B Corporation status, which includes a verified assessment of labor standards. This auditing process helps bolster their fair labor score.

Animal Welfare

HoldOn’s products are 100% plant-based and vegan, involving no animal-derived ingredients or animal testing. 

Community Engagement

HoldOn engages with the community primarily through education and advocacy, but there is little evidence of direct charitable impact or partnerships. On its website, the brand runs an “Impact” section with guides about composting, plastic pollution, and instructions for organizing community clean-up events. This content suggests that HoldOn is trying to empower customers and the public to take action on environmental issues. For example, they provide step-by-step tips for hosting a local trash cleanup and even recommend using HoldOn bags for collecting garbage in those efforts. However, beyond education, we do not see a formal program where HoldOn donates a portion of sales to environmental causes, nor any long-term partnerships with nonprofits.