14 Sustainable Zero Waste Protein Powders (Plastic-Free & Vegan)

This post and the photos within it may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a commission at no extra charge to you.

---

Are you looking for sustainable, zero waste protein powder products?

When transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle, I was looking for plastic-free & eco-friendly alternatives for a lot of things, including vegan & sustainable protein powder. 

I remember it was a hustle to find most of these options; that is why I decided to create a list and share with you the 14 eco-friendly protein powder products from around the globe.

All of the protein powder products are 100% vegan & sustainable, and I’ve tried most of them, so below, you can find my favorite ones.

Let’s jump right into the list!

14 Zero Waste & Sustainable Protein Powder Products:

1. Form Nutrition

Shipping: the US | the UK & Europe
Price: $39 or £9-£29
Protein source: Organic pea protein, brown rice, hemp powder. 15 – 30g protein per serving
Size: 520g or 12 pouches x 40g
Discounts: You can subscribe to get a 20% discount

Form Nutrition is offering a wide range of plant-based and eco-friendly protein powder products.

Their protein powder pouches are 100% plastic-free – the packaging is made up of plant-based bio-film bonded to the paper.  

To dispose of their compostable packaging, you should place it in your kitchen food bin.

You can compost it in your home compost, or send it to an industrial compost facility, via the food waste stream. 

In an industrial composting unit, it is supposed to break down within 90 days.

You can choose between:

• Performance Protein – A combination of organic pea protein, brown rice, and hemp powders. 30g protein per portion. 4 different flavors (Banoffee, Chocolate peanut, Tiramisu, Vanilla)
• Superblend Protein – Plant-based vegan protein with greens and superfoods. 20g of plant protein per serving. 3 different flavors (Chocolate Salted Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla)
• Pure Blend Protein – Organic pea protein, brown rice, and algae. 15g of protein per serving. Neutral taste, unflavored. Ideal for savory dishes.

I’ve tried all of their flavors, and my favorite ones are – Toffee, Vanilla, and Tiramisu! YUM. 

Pros:

• They are B Certified Corporation
• A member of the Form Feeding Fund at Bansang Hospital in The Gambia.
• The protein is packed with all sorts of goods – digestive enzymes, BCAA, superfoods, etc
• They sell sample sizes (for VERY affordable prices)
• 100% plastic-free delivery
• Worldwide shipping

Cons:

• Pricey (however, totally worth it)

2. Vitally Vegan

Shipping: the UK | European & International shipping available
Price: £29.95 – £39.95
Protein source: Pea protein isolate, white hemp protein. 20g – 23g of protein per serving
Size: Refill paper bags – 600g (20 servings) 
Discounts: Get £10 off your first purchase with the code ZEROWASTE

Vitally Vegan is a UK-based company that offers vegan plastic-free protein powders and meal replacements.

Vitally Vegan’s packaging is glass, and they send refills, in 100% brown paper, with paper compostable labels.

This product is packed with plant-based protein, and superfoods like flaxseeds, sea greens, maca, acai, and matcha.

The protein is enriched with Vitamin B12, and it is available in 6 different flavors.

I’ve tried all of them, and they all taste amazing! Because I’m a chocolate lover, my top three would be – Chocolate Orange, Chocolate Coconut, and Salted Caramel.

The protein powder gets very smooth, even when you mix it just with water. It doesn’t have the super artificial and overly sweet taste, like many other protein powders.

Additionally, it is one of the best protein powders that mix well with oatmeal; it can transform bland oats into a delicious, dessert-like, high-protein meal!

You can also use it to create various high-protein desserts. Check two of my favorite protein-packed recipes I’ve made with the Salted Caramel flavor:

Vitally Vegan also sells Meal Replacement, which I’ve tried. Everything came 100% plastic-free and the flavors were excellent – I got the Vanilla Coconut, Blueberry Acai, and Chocolate Brownie (favorite one).

When I was ordering, I didn’t see my country on their list, so I contacted them, and they added it after that. If you want to order, but you don’t see your country, you can try to do the same.

Pros:

• 10% of their net profit goes to various charities
• Amazing flavors, and no artificial sweeteners
• They send their protein powder in a cardboard box, 100% plastic-free
• Vitally Vegan won 3rd place at the Vegfest for Favourite Protein Powder in the UK!

Cons:

• International shipping is expensive & limited

3. BULK Powders

Shipping: the UK | Europe
Prices: £9 – £49
Protein source: Various options – soy, pea, hemp, brown rice, protein blends, etc. 23g – 27g of protein per serving
Sizes: From 500g to 2.5 kg
Discounts: 35% off your first order with BULK

BULK is a UK-based company that was founded in 2006. They have a wide range of vegan & plastic-free protein powders.

Recently, they changed their packaging to compostable ones, with the exception of the 5kg pouches (too heavy for the materials).

The pouches are made from:

• Natureflex
• Bio compostable film
• FSC-certified paper

The pouches aren’t officially certified for home composting yet, but all the individual layers are suitable for home composting.

Since it may take a while to decompose, it’s a good idea to cut it up into small pieces, which should speed things up.

I’ve tried a couple of their plastic-free protein powders, including:

• Pea Protein Isolate – Unflavored & Banana flavor
• Soya Protein Isolate – White Chocolate Coconut & Peanut Butter

The unflavored one is my least favorite, but it is a good option if you don’t like too sweet protein powders, or if you want to use it in savory recipes.

Pros:

• Various sizes, and flavors
• Some of them are very affordable
• Flavorless options

Cons:

• Their 5kg protein powder pouches are still in plastic packaging
• The compostable packaging is not officially certified (still)

4. No Cow Protein

Shipping: The US
Price: from $39
Protein source: Pea & brown rice. 22g of protein per serving
Sizes: 903g

No Cow is the world’s first protein powder in a recyclable canister made with aluminum. 

Aluminum is a much better option than plastic since it is an infinitely recyclable material and takes up to 95 less energy to recycle than to produce new aluminum.

No Cow protein is certified gluten-free, GMO-free, soy-free, carrageenan-free, refined sugar-free, and kosher.

You can choose between two rich, timeless options – Chocolate or Vanilla. They use pure, all-natural ingredients to create those flavors.

At their core, No Cow is committed to improving and finding the most sustainable practices and materials to minimize its environmental footprint. 

Pros: 

• All-natural
• Sweetened with stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol
• It comes with an aluminum scoop

5. Planet Protein

Shipping: the US | International shipping available
Price: $50 – $61
Protein source: Organic blend of pea, pumpkin seeds, and hemp. 24g of protein per serving
Sizes: 1.6 Lbs (725g) and 2 Lbs (907g)
Discounts: 15% OFF with their monthly subscription

Planet Protein is an eco-friendly company, based in the USA that has its own zero waste recycling program! 

Planet Protein tackles the waste problem differently by trying to recycle all of its bags.

They encourage their customers by giving them “rewards” to send back the empty protein bags.

Then, the company forwards the bags to specialty recyclers. 

They have two flavors – Chocolate Magic and Vanilla Magic.

I haven’t tried this one, since the company is based in the US (and I’m currently in Europe), but it seems like a great product.

Pros:

• The protein powder is heavy metal tested
•  Internal zero waste recycling program

Cons:

• Pricey

6. Rheal Superfoods

Shipping: the UK | Europe
Price: One-time purchase – £29. Monthly subscription for – £21.75
Protein source: Organic pea, hemp, and pumpkin seed. 18g of plant protein per serving
Sizes: 500g (15 servings)
Discounts: Get £10 off your first order

Rheal is selling 100% vegan superfoods, and two options for sustainable protein powders.

You can choose between their Green Plant Protein or Cacao Plant Protein.

Rheal doesn’t use any artificial sweeteners – no stevia, and no natural flavorings.

They also sell mushroom blends, and other superfoods & immunity powders.

Pros:

• Planting one tree with every order  
• 15% off their products if you get their subscription and free UK shipping
• Plastic-free cardboard packaging
• You can reuse the tube

Cons:

• A bit pricey
• Depending on the way the tube is created, it might be hard to recycle, since inside the tube is an aluminum food-grade foil (usually separating mixed materials is a tricky task)

7. Motion Nutrition

Shipping: the UK | Worldwide delivery available
Price: £24.99
Protein source: Peanut flour, yellow pea, raw pumpkin seed & hemp seed. 19g of protein per serving
Sizes: 400g (14 servings)
Discounts: 10% discount on monthly subscriptions

Motion Nutrition uses sustainable packaging that consists of an aluminum box that can be filled with eco-refill pouches.

Motion Nutrition is not a fully vegan company, but they have an option for a vegan & plastic-free protein powder.

They also sell sports and sleep supplements.

Pros:

• Carbon-neutral delivery
• Plastic-free packaging

Cons:

• The protein comes in single-use individual sachets
• Pricey for the amount of protein you are getting

8. MYO Plant Nutrition

Shipping: the UK
Price: £10
Protein source: Pea, rice, and hemp protein. 25g of protein and only 2g fat per serving
Sizes: 500g

MYO (Meet Your Objectives) is a UK-based company offering plant-based superfoods and protein powders.

Their protein is ideal for building muscle and is low in carbs, making it suitable for anyone on a keto diet.

A box of 500g of plant protein is just £10, making it a very affordable and sustainable option.

MYO comes in two delicious flavors: Vanilla and Chocolate.

It does look like a recently opened company, so there wasn’t too much information on their packaging materials or where they source their ingredients. However, I’ve contacted them, so I’ll update you as soon as I get a reply.

Pros: 

• Affordable plant-based protein powder

Cons: 

• Lack of information on their packaging & sourcing of ingredients

9. nupro 

Shipping: the UK | Germany | European delivery available
Price: €8 – €22
Protein source: Pea & sunflower protein. 20g of protein per serving
Sizes: 200g & 600g 
Discounts: 10% OFF your purchase, by using the code ALMOSTZERO10

the nu company is based in Germany but has most of its products available in the UK & Europe. Their sustainable protein powder, called numove, has 3 different flavors: Berry, Cocoa Cinnamon & Vanilla.

I’ve tried all of their flavors, and I really liked them. Since the sweetness comes from non-refined organic coconut blossom nectar, the protein powder isn’t overly sweet and doesn’t feel artificial.

Also, after consuming the shake I NEVER feel bloated which is a huge plus for me.

The plastic-free protein powder comes in a small box. Inside, you will find thin home compostable cellulose foil:

While it suspiciously looks like plastic, it isn’t! You can throw it in your compost if you have one. If not, putting it with your veggies scraps should be fine.

In your home compost, it should decompose after approximately 6 months.

the nu company also has a new range of protein bars, called nu move. I’ve tried the bars, and they are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, incredibly delicious, 100% natural, and provide 12g of plant-based protein!

Plus, their packaging is also compostable:

Find more about the nu company & its products in my review.

Pros:

• 1 product = 1 tree
• Plastic-free packaging
• Super affordable
• European & UK shipping

Cons:

• Instead of selling the protein powder in a bigger size, they send three individual small boxes (each x200g).

10. Vivo Life 

Shipping: the UK | the US | Europe | Germany
Price: From $33.99 or £23.79
Protein source: Bio fermented yellow pea, cold-pressed hemp + quinoa. 20-25g of protein per serving
Sizes: Between 504g to 1kg
Discounts: 15% off with their monthly subscription & Vivo Life discount codes for the US, the UK & Europe

Vivo Life is selling sustainable plant-based products and (almost) zero waste protein powder. 

They have three protein powder options, including:

1. PERFORM
2. WHOLE
3. RITUAL

The last one is more affordable if you are on a tighter budget. 

I’ve tried their Maca Caramel and Vanilla Perform, and I enjoyed the flavors a lot (the Maca Caramel a bit more). 

What I really like is that Vivo Life uses 100% raw plant-based ingredients and fermented protein for optimal digestion.

If you had trouble with other protein powders and you experienced bloating, and digestion issues, you won’t experience any of that with Vivo Life.

Pros: 

• One tree planted per order 
• Carbon neutral
• Vegan & organic products
• Fermented protein
• Home compostable packaging
• Delicious & zero waste protein powders
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons: 

• Their new protein (Whole & Ritual) is still not in compostable packaging

11. Go Good

Shipping: Australia | New Zealand | Worldwide
Price: from $39
Protein source: Pea protein isolate. 24g of plant protein per serving
Sizes: 1 kg (33 servings) and 2 kg (66 servings)

Go Good isn’t 100% plant-based, but they sell vegan protein powders, too.

The ingredients are very simple, and the packaging is 100% plastic-free. 

They also ship the product in a paper box, without unnecessary packaging.

Pros:

• Plastic-free packaging
• You can reuse the package afterward 
• You can find a map that shows from where they course all the ingredients for their products.

Cons:

• Pricey

12. Bare Blends

Shipping: Australia | the US | Worldwide
Price: $37 – $69
Protein source: Organic golden pea & sprouted brown rice protein, or Australian fava bean protein
Sizes: Different options – 300g, 750g, 900g 1 kg, 3kg
Discounts: $10 OFF your first purchase (above $40)

Bare Blends have a couple of options for 100% natural vegan protein powders. Their powders are made in Australia with only the best high-quality ingredients and organic whole foods.

A serving provides 20-25g of plant protein, ideal for building lean muscle or weight loss. 

The protein is sweetened with monk fruit extract, which offers anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, and anti-allergic effects.

Bare Blends has the following flavors: 

• Cacao & Cinnamon
• Vanilla & Coconut
• Strawberries & Cream
• Unflavoured & Unsweetened

Pros: 

• Home-compostable packaging.
• Contains all nine essential amino acids needed for growth and repair. 
• Certified organic – free of pesticides, heavy metals, and other chemicals.

13. Zero Waste Bulk Foods

Shipping: the UK | Ireland | International
Price: £5 – £20
Protein source: Pea protein, brown rice protein, pumpkin seed protein. 21g of protein per serving
Sizes: 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg

Zero Waste Bulk Foods is a zero waste bulk store located in the UK.

They sell zero waste protein powder in plastic-free bags. 

The store uses certified home compostable plant-based bags and recyclable or compostable kraft brown paper bags.

The protein powder is made with pea protein isolate & brown rice protein, and it is a chocolate flavor. 

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Sustainable & plastic-free packaging 

Cons:

• Doesn’t ship everywhere
• If you don’t have a compost, the packaging won’t degrade

14. The Source Bulk Foods

Shipping/Location: They have stores in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Singapore
Price: from $3 (per 100g)
Protein source: Pea, hemp, or brown rice
Sizes: 250g, 500g, 750g, 1kg

The Source Bulk Foods is trying to avoid unnecessary packaging, so they sell their products plastic-free. In their shop, you can find: 

• organic pea protein isolate zero waste protein powder (24.8g of plant-protein per serving)
• organic hemp protein (14g of plant protein per serving)
• organic sprouted brown rice protein (25.5g of plant protein per serving)

The products are delivered in compostable unbleached Eco paper bags.

The bags are lined with a 100% plant-based film (PLA) that’s made from natural starch derived from plants (like corn and sugar cane).

You can order online, or visit one of their shops. If you go to their shops, it’s best if you bring your own jar/container.

Pros:

• Affordable

Cons:

• They are flavorless, so you need to get used to their natural taste

Protein powder from local bulk stores

If you have bulk stores in your city, go there and check if they sell protein powder in bulk! 

For example, my local bulk store sells hemp protein powder.

Most times, bulk protein powders are with neutral flavors, so the taste won’t be as delicious as the protein powders with flavors. 

But if you mix it in your smoothies, oatmeal, or other recipes, then it shouldn’t be a problem. 

FAQ:

What about scoops?

Most of these companies don’t include any scoop. Some are selling separately, so you can purchase a scoop, made from sustainable materials such as bamboo or coconut.

You can always use a regular spoon that you have at home, or a scoop from previous protein powder you ordered.

Biodegradable plastic vs. compostable plastic – what is the difference?

The main difference between compostable and biodegradable is that compostable products need different and specific settings to break down.

Composting typically takes place in aerobic environments (requires oxygen), while biodegradation may take place in anaerobic environments (doesn’t require oxygen).

Compostable ISN’T a synonym for biodegradable, and there are different types of biodegradable plastics.

Are “compostable” and “biodegradable” plastics greenwashing? 

Sometimes, companies are trying to greenwash us, because they want to make sales, and not because they care about the environment.

The companies from this list seem to care; it looks like they are trying to do better and avoid environmentally damaging practices.

Find more about greenwashing and how to spot it (+ avoid it) here.

Are these companies perfect?

Of course not. Nobody is perfect, from an environmental point of view.

The point is that they are trying to improve & become more eco-friendly with their practices and packaging.

The only thing I can notice is that most companies don’t have additional information about their packaging, such as:

• How exactly to dispose of it
• How much time it need to break down
• Proof or third-party tests

Sum up

As you can see, there is plenty of choices for sustainable, vegan & plastic-free protein powder! 

To dispose of the packaging correctly, you can consider the following:

• Compost it (Find 7 step-by-step guides on how to compost at home)
• Send it to a waste management/industrial compost facility
• Try to reuse or upcycle it!

Let me know if you have any questions, and what you think about these eco-friendly & plastic-free protein powders. 🙂