Abstract: A unitary one-piece holder for removably retaining and spreading open a trash bag. The holder includes a pair of retainer halves, each of which has a respective internal face, first adjoining edge that adjoin one another and second remote edge. The halves are joined together along the respective adjoining edges thereof by at least one hinge. The halves are pivotable about the hinge in a first closed direction and in a second open direction. In the first direction, the remote edges and the internal faces are moved toward one another for closing the device with a "snap-action" and clamping at least a portion of the bag therebetween, so that the bag is at least partially spread open. In the second direction, the remote edges and the internal faces are moved away from one another for opening the device and unclamping and releasing the trash bag from therebetween.