Replacing the use of single-use gels, energy powder sachets, plastic wrappers and plastic zip bags with reusable DirtBags that are home-compostable.
Making bulk energy gels so that we can refill our DirtBags and silicone soft flasks which would save on more plastic packaging going in to the landfill.
Removing single-use packaging from individual fuel sources like energy gels, energy powders, energy bars, crisp packets, etc from trail and ultra-marathon event checkpoints and move to bulk offerings so that there is less single-use waste.
Every year, millions of single-use energy gel packets, powder sachets, and plastic zip bags are torn open on trails and mountains, only to end up in landfill or littered in nature.
A gel packet is used for seconds. It's designed to last centuries. The irony is painful especially for those of us who care deeply about the trails we run through.
The waste adds up fast: a single 100km race generates hundreds of packets that the runners have used during the race. Multiply that by thousands of runners, thousands of events globally, every year. We're talking about millions of pieces of single-use plastic created from fossil fuels, used once, and abandoned.
The hypocrisy: Trail runners love nature. Yet our fueling systems are some of the worst offenders for single-use plastic pollution.
Our Solution
DirtBags are ultralight, reusable, home-compostable zip bags designed for trail runners, cyclists, fastpackers, and endurance athletes.
How they work:
- Buy nutrition in bulk (gels, powders, or make your own fuel at home)
- Decant into small DirtBags with precise portion control (know exactly how many carbs you're getting)
- Use large DirtBags for full-day energy powder, snacks, or essential gear (first aid, socks, phone, toilet roll)
- After your adventure: wash, air dry, reuse again and again
- When they're finally done: compost them at home and they return to the earth in less than 12 months
The specs:
- Small DirtBag: 14 × 6cm, (lighter than a gel packet)
- Large DirtBag: 16 × 18cm, weighs 5g
- Made from PLA + PBAT bioplastics
- Double zip-sealed for durability (if one fails, still usable)
- Food-grade certified
- TÜV Austria Home Compostable certified
Why It Matters
The Climate Benefit:
- A single-use gel packet or plastic ziploc: 156–451g CO₂e per lifecycle
- A DirtBag: 21–57g CO₂e per lifecycle
- Even on first use: DirtBags cut emissions by up to 60%
- Used 5–10 times: 99%+ lower emissions than disposable packets
The Waste Reduction:
- One DirtBag replaces dozens of disposable packets
- Cuts plastic in landfill
- Protects the trails we love
The Money Saved:
- Buy nutrition in bulk (significantly cheaper)
- One pack of DirtBags costs the same as a few energy gels but has the potential to replace hundreds of packets
- Reduces pack weight (better for those interested in ultralight)
Where We Are Now
Status: 🚀 Active
✅ Completed:
- Prototype testing and refinement
- TÜV Home Compostable certification achieved
- Kickstarter campaign ran October–November 2025
- Manufacturing partnerships secured
🔄 In Progress:
- First production run (6 weeks)
- Shipping to backers worldwide (12–16 weeks from campaign end)
- Building partnerships with nutrition brands for bulk options
- Outreach to race directors about zero-waste aid stations
📋 Next Steps:
- Deliver DirtBags to all Kickstarter backers
- Launch retail availability
- Work with brands to create dedicated bulk gel/powder lines
- Pilot zero-waste aid stations at 2–3 races in 2026
How You Can Help
Right Now:
- Pre-order support DirtBags on Kickstarter
- Share the message on your socials: bulk fuel + reusable bags = zero waste
Tell your story:
- Share photos of DirtBags in action on your runs
- Tag #ForTheTrail and #DirtBags
- Show others how to transition to reusable fuel and carry their gear more sustainably
Influence your community:
- Ask your local running club about switching to bulk fuel
- Talk to race directors about zero-waste aid stations
- Recommend DirtBags to fellow runners
Support the bigger movement:
- Join our community and discuss sustainable fueling strategies
- Help us identify which nutrition brands offer bulk options
- Share ideas for making DirtBags even better
Partner with us:
- Nutrition brands: ready to offer bulk gels and powders?
- Retailers: want to stock DirtBags?
- Contact us
Current Metrics & Impact
| Metric | Current |
|---|---|
| DirtBags Produced | [X units] |
| Single-Use Packets Prevented | [X packets] |
| CO₂e Saved | [X kg] |
| Plastic Waste Diverted | [X kg] |
| Backers/Community Members | [X] |
(Updated quarterly)
Challenges We're Facing
Manufacturing Scale: Ramping up production to meet demand while maintaining quality and compostability standards.
Brand Partnerships: Convincing nutrition companies that bulk products are economically viable. We're actively in conversations with 3 major brands.
Distribution: Getting DirtBags into retail channels and normalizing bulk fuel at races takes time and partnerships.
Behavior Change: Shifting runners from the convenience of single-use packets requires education and accessible alternatives at races.
We're being transparent: This isn't a quick fix. But it's absolutely necessary and achievable.
Resources & Links
Join the Conversation:
- DirtBags Forum Discussion - feedback, ideas, updates
- Subscribe to our newsletter
Learn More:
- Climate Impact Breakdown - detailed emissions analysis
- How to Use DirtBags - guide and tips
- Bulk Nutrition Brands Directory - where to buy bulk fuel
- Find energy gels in bulk at FindTrail.co
Media & Stories:
- Coming soon
The Bigger Vision
DirtBags are the first step. But the real goal is systemic change.
We're working toward a future where:
- Athletes buy fuel in bulk as the norm
- Reusable DirtBags and silicone soft flasks replace single-use packets and plastic zip bags
- Aid stations serve zero waste and single-use packaging in any form
- Brands stop producing single-use packaging
- Reduction comes first, reuse always, recycling as a last resort
This is just the beginning.
Community Discussion
Have questions? Want to share your DirtBags story? Join the conversation in our Circle Discussion Thread where we discuss real-world use, durability, hacks, and the bigger movement toward sustainable fueling.
Last Updated: 15th October 2025
DirtBags is part of For The Trail — a plant-forward environmental movement for trail running where we celebrate nature.