The Problem with Plastic at Gatherings

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Let’s be real: when you’re hosting a party or family event, single-use products make life easier. They save time, reduce cleanup, and keep the focus on what matters—quality time with loved ones. But here’s the thing: every plastic plate, cup, and straw used during those moments doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it ends up in a landfill, in our oceans, or worse, burned, releasing toxic chemicals into the air.At one particular gathering, I looked at the overflowing trash bags filled with plastic and thought, “There has to be a better way.” That was the moment I knew I wanted to create something different—something that didn’t sacrifice convenience but also didn’t harm the planet.

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The Problem with Plastic at Gatherings

In my family, hosting is our love language. Whether it’s Sunday dinners, birthday celebrations, or impromptu cookouts, we know how to gather. But as someone who’s always been passionate about sustainability, seeing the waste these events produced left me frustrated. Every time I saw trash bags full of disposable items, I couldn’t help but think about their journey—the hundreds of years it would take for those plastics to decompose, if they ever did.

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Traveling to over 35 countries has only deepened my resolve to fight against plastic waste. I’ve seen rice fields smothered with discarded plastics, beaches littered with debris, and roadsides where trash is burned, polluting the air and poisoning communities. These experiences reminded me that the plastic waste we generate at home doesn’t just stay local—it has a global impact.Even in Baltimore, a city full of innovative programs and people committed to sustainability, waste from single-use plastics remains a challenge. While composting programs are growing, the infrastructure isn’t yet widespread, leaving many products labeled “compostable” without a clear path to decomposition.

How Dirtbag Goods Was Born

I realized the solution wasn’t to stop hosting or enjoying family gatherings—it was to rethink the products we use to make them easier. What if single-use products could be just as convenient but didn’t harm the planet?With Dirtbag Goods, I wanted to create something that fit seamlessly into those moments we love so much. Our products are practical, affordable, and truly home-compostable, breaking down in just 90 days. Starting with straws, we’re building a line of single-use products designed for the realities of everyday life while making sustainability simple.

Why Family Matters to Our Mission

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At Dirtbag Goods, everything we create is designed with real-life moments in mind—those shared meals, big celebrations, and everyday joys. Because sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s about preserving the planet for the people we care about most.