rethinking packaging

 

Let’s be transparent. We’re on a mission to create a kinder and healthier world… and while we have a lot to be proud of, we know there’s always a bigger challenge to meet. Especially when it comes to our packaging.

That’s why we’re on a journey to make sure our snacks are as sustainable as they are delicious. As a signatory of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, we are working to make all our plastic packaging for KIND branded products 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable, while reducing our usage of single-use plastic overall.

We’re making several advancements against these commitments:

Paper-based Wrapper - In 2023, we launched KIND’s first ever Paper Wrapper Test, featuring our all-new paper-based wrapper, in the marketplace. Made from 78% paper, this wrapper is one of the many ways we’re working with our suppliers to explore new materials and test plastic alternatives that continue to meet our high standards for safety and quality. We know we have a long way to go, and this exploratory pilot will help us determine the best way forward when it comes to our packaging.

We’re excited to bring you on this journey with us. This is just the beginning.

Plastic reductions - Our goal is to reduce our virgin plastic usage overall. By the end of 2020 we were able to use 17% less plastic for three of our key product lines in the U.S. While we are proud of this progress, we know we can go further and have plans in place to expand these reductions. We will continue to identify and cut back on virgin plastic usage and unnecessary packaging across our entire product portfolio.

Alternative packaging formats - To achieve recyclability, compostable and/or reusability across all our plastic packaging it will take a great deal of effort, investment, and innovation. We are invested in exploring alternative materials, like the paper-based wrapper, and will continue to ramp up these critical research investments over the next several years.

We also participate in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, the leading voice on sustainable packaging, through which we hope to champion new packaging solutions in partnership with the broader food industry.

For our paper cartons, these materials are recyclable in many of the communities in which we operate. Where possible, we rely on paper cartons that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.