FAQ
Do the bag dimensions include the adhesive flap?
Our sizes are measured when the bag is flat and the final size (9x12 or 12x15) does not include the 2" flap. These bags do not have a gusset, but they are softer then plastic and they do have some stretch to them. Our mailers can expand to 4.5-5".
Do you send out samples?
Typically we offer sample packs on our website but because we are sold out we do not have the samples in stock at the moment and we do not plan to stock sample packs anytime soon. We sell our bundles in low MOQs of 100 bags so this is one way to test the bags with your products before committing to a larger order.
What is the shelf life of the bags/mailers?
To ensure maximum shelf life, the bags/mailers should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place. If stored correctly, they will be strong enough to send parcels around the world for at least 10-11 months. If they are kept in a closed box, in a cool and dark warehouse (for example), they will not start to degrade for at least a year. It is only when they are exposed to the elements that they will start to break down. When they do start to degrade, they don’t leach anything on to their contents, they just lose some strength and become brittle.
Is the material covering the adhesive strip also compostable?
Unfortunately, the small piece covering the sticky adhesive is not compostable at this time. If we were to use a compostable material to cover the adhesive it would dissolve into the adhesive and compromise the entire bag. If you are mailing the bags out, you will be removing this piece before your customer receives the bag so the final bag will be biodegradable and certified compostable. We are still working with our manufactures to come up with a better alternative in the future, but currently, there's not another option for the adhesive cover. Please recycle the strip cover.
Is your ink eco-friendly?
Yes! We use an alcohol based, non-toxic eco-friendly ink on our bags/mailers.
Should there be a smell to the bags?
If you notice a sweet smell that is completely normal, it kind of reminds us of the smell of popcorn...remember, these are made from corn.
Can we get them customized with our company logo?
The MOQs (minimum order quantity) for customized Happy Plant Mailers/Bags is very high in order to avoid wastage in the production process and quantities usually start at 50,000-60,000 pieces for most sizes. If you would like to order custom mailers/bags at that quantity at can hit those MOQs, please visit our Customization Page Here.
These bags can however be easily customized by adding your company sticker to the bags. We do not include our own branding the bags and leave the front blank on purpose, so they are very easy to make your own. The bags do have a LEARN MORE blurb at the bottom which includes our website in small print, so your customers can visit our site if they have questions about how to compost them.
Where can I find compostable stickers so I can customize these bags without the high minimums?
Check out: https://stickerit.co/us/biodegradable-paper-stickers/ for custom printed stickers with your company logo
How do they compare with traditional plastic in strength and durability?
We have found that our Happy Plant bags/mailers perform just as good (if not better) than conventional plastic. They do not break at the bottom when put under heavy weight (like plastic bags do), and are equally waterproof. They are also durable and tear-resistant by stretching to distribute the weight over the whole bag, rather than in just one section. All of this and they are not harming our environment.
What is the timeline for the composting?
Our third party studies have shown that our bags break down within 90 days in a commercial composting environment, and in 180 days in a backyard composting environment. It also leaves behind none of damaging residue of conventional plastics.
What happens if they end up in the landfill?
If you do not have a home composting area or a commercial composting facility near you and you do not home compost, the next best place for these bags are the landfill. They cannot and should not be put in recycling.
Even though landfills are not the ideal environment because they lack water & oxygen (which helps the breakdown process), they will still break down (with no waste and little methane production) it just takes longer, around 5-10 years rather than the 90 days that it would breakdown in commercial composting. In contrast, traditional plastic bags and mailers can take 1000 years (EEK!) to break down, and release toxic methane gas into the atmosphere.
What makes something certified compostable?
Home composting rates have been increasing and have been gaining in popularity over the past 5 years as we are all bombarded by images of plastics ruining our planet and polluting our oceans. Now is the time we can all work together to make a difference and you can start small, right in your own backyard.
Home composting is ideal for vegetarian food scraps (egg shells, coffee grounds, fruit, veggies), yard waste (sticks, leaves, dead flowers, lawn clippings) and some paper products like newspapers and paper towels.
Certified Compostable materials must meet the following four criteria:
- Biodegradability – Determined by measuring the amount of CO2 produced over a certain time period by the biodegrading plastic.
- Disintegration – Measured by sieving the material to determine the biodegraded size and that less than 10% remains on a 2mm screen within a certain number of days.
- Eco-Toxicity – Measured by testing the concentrations of heavy metals to ensure that they are below the limits set by the standards and by testing plant growth by mixing the compost with soil in different concentrations and comparing plant growth in test and controlled compost samples.
- Worm-Toxicity
What is the difference between "biodegradable" and "compostable"?
People often get biodegradable and compostable mixed up but they do not mean the same thing. A biodegradable product may be broken down by microorganisms but this does not necessarily mean that the product can be converted into good quality compost and then reused.
Biodegradability and compostability rely heavily on the environment where the product is being broken down. As each environment (compost, soil, water, etc …) has different microorganisms and temperatures present, the speed of the biodegradation process will vary from one area to another.
For example, bioplastics which are biodegradable in an industrial composting plant (the most aggressive atmosphere) are not always biodegradable in water or soil, or even in a home compost bin (which will have lower temps).
Bio-degradable plastics can be either made from bio-plastics or from traditional petrochemicals engineered to break down more quickly than normal plastics. The problem with these type of "biodegradable" plastics is as they break down the can release microplastic particles and the additives required to accelerate the degradation process in to your soil which can be toxic to the environment and to plants.
It is important to note that unlike compostable products – there is no requirement for products labelled "biodegradable" to meet any eco-toxicity or break-down timeframe requirements.
Do you accept returns?
Because of the nature of the products and them being sensitive to outside elements to protecting their integrity and quality we are unable to accept returns. If you are unhappy for any reason, please contact us and we will do our best to make it right.
Can I cancel an order that was placed the same day?
If you need to cancel an order please email us (hello@thehappybagco.com) immediately and we will try our best to accommodate but because our orders are sent over to our separate shipping partner and then immediately fulfilled we would be unable to cancel the order if it has already begun getting packed.
We do charge a cancelation processing fee of $10 for domestic and $15 for international orders that are successfully cancelled. This is a cost that is passed down to us from our shipping partner.
How long are current US shipping times taking?
Please note that all US couriers: FedEx, UPS and USPS are experiencing very lengthy delays. We are processing, packing and shipping all orders within two business days and even so, it is taking those couriers sometimes up to 2 weeks to be delivered to the final destination within the US. This is completely out of our control at the moment.
My tracking number is not working, what's going on?
In some cases UPS/FEDEX and USPS are not scanning labels when they pick up the packages or at each stop like they should be doing. When this happens your tracking will show that the label has been created but that it's not moving. This does not mean that your package is lost, it just means that it could be delayed due to the backup of excess packages and increase in online shipping. In most cases, the package does show up within the 1-2 week period. If you have concerns, please email us at: hello@thehappybagco.com and we will look into your order but this is something that is out of our control and even us calling the courier does not help.
How long does international shipping take?
Couriers in the US and World are severely backed up due to Covid. International shipping times can greatly vary from 8 days all the way up to 4-6 weeks in some cases, so please give yourself enough time to receive the goods. This is something out of our control as it largely depending on each countries countries customs policies and how long it will take for your country to clear the package.
Returned International Orders
We ship internationally with USPS but once it arrives at your country, the package would be turned over to your local Government ran mail service (in most cases). If the package cannot be delivered and ends up being returned to sender (us) we cannot be liable for the shipping fees and these will not be refunded. Orders must be picked up at your local govt. post office by using the tracking number we provide. All returned orders are subject to a $12 restocking fee as well.
For all other questions that we have not answered, please email us here.