In a significant stride towards sustainable packaging, KIND Snacks has launched a pilot program introducing fully recyclable paper wrappers for its popular Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt bars. This initiative, running from May 1 through October 1, 2025, is available exclusively at select Whole Foods Market stores across Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Texas, southern California, Louisiana, Arizona, and Nevada .
The new wrappers are crafted from pulpable paper and have received pre-qualification from the How2Recycle program, ensuring they are suitable for curbside recycling. Developed in collaboration with packaging partner Printpack, these wrappers aim to replace traditional plastic packaging, aligning with KIND's commitment to designing all packaging for recyclability by 2030 .
This pilot builds upon KIND's initial 2023 eCommerce trial of paper-based wrappers, which provided valuable consumer feedback and performance data. Insights from that trial informed the development of the current wrappers, focusing on maintaining product freshness, shelf life, and durability during transit .
Sandra Lewis, Principal Packaging Advisor at Whole Foods Market, praised the initiative, stating, "Through their innovative development of this recyclable paper wrapper, they're fundamentally reimagining how snack foods can be packaged." KIND's Chief Marketing Officer, Osher Hoberman, emphasized the brand's responsiveness to consumer values, noting that the new wrapper is a direct result of customer feedback seeking environmentally friendly packaging options .
This move by KIND Snacks represents a notable advancement in sustainable packaging within the snack industry, offering consumers an eco-friendly alternative without compromising product quality.