16 Sustainable Zero Waste Protein Powders (Plastic-Free)

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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 many things, including vegan & sustainable protein powder. 

I remember it was a hustle to find plastic-free options. That is why I decided to create a list with 16 sustainable & zero waste protein powder products from around the globe.

All products are vegan with compostable packaging or/and eco-friendly practices. I’ve tried most of them, so below, you can find my favorite ones!

Let’s jump right into the list.

16 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 offers a wide range of plant-based and sustainable protein powder products.

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

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

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 affordable prices)
• 100% plastic-free delivery
• Worldwide shipping

Cons:

• Pricey (however, totally worth it)

2. Complement Protein Powder

Shipping: the US
Prices: $25 – $50
Protein source: Almond, chia, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, yellow pea protein (all from organic sources). 14 g of plant protein per serving
Sizes: 11.9 oz (336 g) or 23.8 oz (675 g)

Tired of protein powders with suspicious ingredients and artificial sweeteners? Then Complement is the one for you. They offer two options – neutral, or chocolate (which, they promise, doesn’t taste like chalk).

The chocolate protein is sweetened with monk fruit and doesn’t include any funky ingredients. Their packaging is 100% compostable and made from plant fibers (bio-resins and wood cellulose).

All you need to do is cut it into smaller pieces (to make the composting quicker and easier) and put it into your backyard compost. It should break down in 12 months.

Pros: 

• Organic ingredients
• Third-party tested for heavy metals
• Lightly sweetened with organic fruit extract
• 100-day money-back guarantee if unhappy with anything

Cons: 

• Pricier 

3. 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 sells sustainable plant-based products and plastic-free protein powder. They have three protein powder products – PERFORM, WHOLE, and RITUAL.

RITUAL is more affordable if you are on a tighter budget. I’ve tried their Maca Caramel & Vanilla Perform and enjoyed the flavors a lot (the Maca Caramel a bit more). 

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

If you had trouble with other protein powders and experienced bloating, and digestion issues, you wouldn’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

4. Bare Blends

Shipping: the US | Australia | 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

Bare Blends is an Australian-based company, that has a couple of 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 – The one I’ve tried & loved it!
• Strawberries & Cream
• Unflavoured & Unsweetened

Pros: 

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

5. Planet Protein

Shipping: the US | International shipping
Price: $50 – $61
Protein source: Organic blend of peas, 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 US with its own zero waste recycling program. Planet Protein tackles the waste problem differently by trying to recycle all of its bags.

They encourage customers by giving them “rewards” to return the empty protein bags. Then, the company forwards the bags to specialty recyclers. They have two flavors – Chocolate Magic and Vanilla Magic.

Pros:

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

Cons:

• Pricey

6. Fitppl 

Shipping: Canada & the US
Prices: $30 – $50 
Protein source: organic brown rice protein, organic yellow pea protein, organic hemp protein 
Sizes: 20-serving bag (560g) or 10-single-serving packets
Discounts: Subscribe & save 15%

fitppl is a sustainable & plant-based company selling protein and superfood powders. Their mission is to eliminate plastic in all of their products.

Their protein powders contain spirulina, phytonutrient fruits, and adaptogens, helping you to maintain optimal health and vitality.

The products are without soy, gums, sugar, or stevia and are certified gluten-free. The three options they offer are:

• Vanilla & Goji – 18g of protein per serving
• Cocoa & Blueberry – 18g of protein per serving
• Optimal plant protein – 26g of protein per serving

Pros:

• Certified B Corp
• Each purchase supports their cleanup activities
• Sweetened with monk fruit
• Biodegradable scoop

Cons: 

• The pouches they use are still made of plastic

7. Earthli Protein Powder 

Shipping: Canada
Prices: $6.99 / $29.99 / $57.99
Protein source: Hemp
Sizes: Sample (47 g), 454 g or 940 g

Earthli is a Canadian-owned company growing sustainable pesticide-free hemp. They offer three simple sustainable protein powder options.

You can choose between a flavorless protein powder which is 100% hemp protein powder, or you can pick one of the two flavors they have: green apple and chocolate. The packaging is an eco-friendly pouch, made with compostable materials.

Pros: 

• Lightly sweetened with monk fruit
• Keto friendly option

8. 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

BULK is a UK-based company that has a wide range of vegan & plastic-free protein powders.

Recently, they changed their packaging to compostable ones, except for 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 compostable, but all the individual layers are suitable for home composting.

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

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

• Pea Protein Isolate – Unflavored & Banana flavor
• Vegan Protein Powder – Chocolate Peanut Butter & Strawberry

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

Pros:

• Various sizes and flavors
• Affordable options
• Flavorless options

Cons:

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

9. 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:

• Just one option/flavor

10. Rex Nutrition

Shipping: the UK
Prices: £26
Protein source: peas, brown rice and pumpkin seeds
Sizes: 600g 

Rex Nutrition provides all 9 essential amino acids from peas, brown rice, and pumpkin seeds, plus essential vitamin B12 and no artificial flavors. 

A serving gives you 21g of protein and supports your fitness goals while being low in sugar and packed with digestive enzymes and probiotics.

Choose between five tasty flavors – cacao & caramel, vanilla, wild berry, banana, and double chocolate. If you want a simple flavorless one, you can get their unflavored option which is perfect for adding to bakes and already sweet enough smoothies. 

Pros: 

• Added vitamin B12, digestive enzymes & friendly bacteria
• Mixes well without a grainy feel
• Not overly sweet

Cons: 

• Contains Sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener (unlike other brands, which use Stevia – a more natural option)

11. Sealions Protein Powder

Shipping: the UK
Prices: £10
Protein source: Pea & rice
Sizes: 500g

Sealion’s vegan protein blend combines pea protein isolate and rice protein and delivers 18g of plant-based protein per serving. Currently, they only have one flavor – Vanilla.

The protein is low in fat and low in sugar and is designed to support the growth of lean muscle mass. There is a sign that the packaging is compostable, and at first, I couldn’t find too much information about it. 

On their FAQ page, they say – the protein powder comes in compostable packaging which consists of Kraft Paper and PLA (Polylactic Acid) material, or 100% recyclable packaging.

You can use their Subscribe & Save service, to receive the protein at a discounted price monthly. 

Pros: 

• Affordable

Cons: 

• Contains Sucralose, an artificial sweetener
• Currently just one flavor (Vanilla)

12. Zero Waste Bulk Foods

Shipping: the UK  
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 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 there are a few flavors to choose from. 

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Sustainable & plastic-free packaging 

Cons:

• It doesn’t ship everywhere

13. 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 where they course all the ingredients for their products.

Cons:

• Pricey

14. Vitus Protein Powder 

Shipping: Australia
Prices: $49
Protein source: Sprouted and fermented pea protein, brown rice protein
Sizes: 500g

Vitus is a neutral-tasting protein that provides over 20g of complete protein, essential amino acids, and key nutrients like iron, manganese, and zinc per serving. 

Its ingredients are 94% from organic sources and the protein comes in a 100% home compostable pouch that fully breaks down in 26 weeks.

Because Vitus protein powder contains sprouted and fermented ingredients, it boosts gut health. The digestive enzymes aid full protein breakdown for optimal absorption by the body.

Pros: 

• Unsweetened and unflavored making it ideal for savory recipes
• Promotes gut health

Cons: 

• Pricier

15. The Source Bulk Foods

Shipping/Location: Australia
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) 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

16. Faithful to Nature

Shipping: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini
Prices: R76 – R179 ($4 – $10)
Protein source: pea protein
Sizes: 250g or 650g

Faithful to Nature contains just pure plant-based protein, and it is in a 100% plastic-free eco-friendly bag made with non-GMO plant-based materials.

It contains 18 different amino acids (including all 11 essential amino acids), and you can get 80% pure plant-based protein which is perfect for fueling your workouts! 

Pea protein can help boost your stamina and repair your muscles, and it’s naturally gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and made from dehulled split yellow peas. 

Pros:

• Supports muscle recovery after exercise 
• No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or additives 
• Naturally gluten-free 
• Contains 18 different amino acids (including all 11 essential amino acids)
• Their certified bio-based bags are made with non-GMO plant based-materials

Cons: 

• On its own, the taste isn’t the best (but if you mix in smoothies, it’s much better)
• Limited delivery options

Protein powder from local bulk stores

If you have bulk stores in your city, check if they sell protein powder in bulk. For example, my local bulk store sells hemp protein powder.

Bulk protein powders usually have neutral flavors, so the taste won’t be as delicious as those 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 a scoop. Some sell separately; you can purchase one from sustainable materials like bamboo or coconut. You can always use a regular spoon or a scoop from previous protein powders you ordered.

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

Each needs specific settings and conditions to break down.

For example, composting typically occurs in aerobic environments (requires oxygen), while biodegradation may occur 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 simply greenwashing? 

Oftentimes, companies try to greenwash us because they want to make sales and not because they care about the environment.

While it’s hard to be certain, the companies from this list seem to care and to try to 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 downside I can notice is that most of the companies above don’t have additional information about their packaging, such as:

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

Summary

As you can see, there are 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. 🙂