11 Plastic Free Vegan Protein Powders

A sustainable and healthy lifestyle is everyone’s priority and a lot of people keep taking protein supplements to take care of their health and well-being. As people become more aware and concerned about health and safety, consuming products that have no toxic effects is mostly preferred.

Why are Plant-based Protein Powders more Environmentally Friendly?

People are looking for plastic-free and nature-based alternatives for a lot of consumables which also include protein powders and supplements.

Environmentally friendly protein powders are made of plants as these have a much lower carbon footprint compared to beef and other animal proteins. Some of the most sustainable protein powder sources are: peas, rice, quinoa, seeds, nuts, beans, lentils etc.

The plastic-based packaging also contributes to a lot of waste causing environmental hazards as the global protein supplements market gains popularity, particularly among millennials who are interested in building their health through a balanced diet. A lot of manufacturers are coming up with various zero-waste and eco-friendly protein powder supplements with innovative formulations and sustainable packaging.

What About that Pesky Plastic Spoon in Most Protein Powders?

The majority of the products we listed below have consciously removed the plastic spoon in an effort to save resources and minimise waste. If they included one, they made the consciuos decision and sourced spoons that are compostable.

Are Plant-based Protein Powders Safe?

It has come to our attention that a 2018 study (click to read the full white paper) conducted by the US independent organization Clean Label Project had tested 134 products for 130 types of toxins and found that many protein powders, including plant-based ones, contained heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury), bisphenol-A (BPA, which is used to make plastic), pesticides, or other contaminants with links to cancer and other health conditions. Some of the toxins were present in significant quantities. One protein powder, as an example, contained 25 times the allowed limit of BPA. We couldn’t find the list of the screened companies, however, we would like to reiterate how important it is not to choose the cheapest protein powders available on the market, and instead buy from reputable manufacturers.

Zero Waste Vegan Protein Powder Brands: Our Review

We will give a brief idea about such plastic-free vegan protein products that help to keep you on top of your health and at the same time have a lighter footprint on the planet. This list is based by geographic location of the provider, starting with North America, then Europe, then Asia-Pacific.

This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps us continue the hard work we put in researching products and solutions.

1. Form Nutrition Performance Protein – USA / UK

This UK based company offers a variety of plastic-free and eco-friendly protein powders. The product is made of plant-based ingredients like organic pea protein, brown rice, and other plant extracts that are rich in protein content. They are also a certified B Corp for meeting the highest standards of social and environmental impact. 

Protein Source: Organic Pea Protein Isolate, Brown Rice Protein, Pumpkin Seed Protein.

Protein per Serving: 30g

Flavours: The flavor of the protein power also comes from natural organic components like chocolate peanut, vanilla, and tiramisu.

Size: 520g

Packaging: The pouches are also uniquely prepared with a plant-based bio-film bonded to the paper which makes them biodegradable and conveniently disposable through food waste processing or in your home compost. They’ve removed the plastic scoops as it was requested by many customers and they’ve added instructions to enable the use of tablespoons, as it is part of their move towards a goal of complete plastic free packaging and minimal waste.

Check the latest price on:

• Amazon USA
• Form Nutrition – direct website

2. No Cow Protein Powder – USA

No Cow protein powder is a certified vegan and cruelty-free protein product made in the USA which is free from gluten, soy, carrageenan, and refined sugar, thereby causing no harm to health. It uses purely natural ingredients to create sweetness and flavors like coconut or vanilla. No cow is very much focused on maintaining the sustainable practices of using methods and materials that reduce the overall carbon footprint. 

Protein Source: not specified

Protein per Serving: 22g

Flavours: Coconut or Vanilla.

Size: 31.84 ounce

Packaging: No cow is the first protein powder available in a fully recyclable aluminum container which is an eco-friendly initiative to reduce plastic waste.

Check the latest price on:

• Amazon USA

3. Four Sigmatic Plant-based Protein Powder with Superfoods – USA

The brand Four Sigmatic comes from a term used in statistics, called four sigmas, i.e. four standard deviations above the average. In this case it relates to four standard deviations above average food, i.e. foods that are the most nutrient dense, most studied on the planet. Only 100 foods fall into this category and those are the foods you’ll find in their products. Some of these food are very common like coffee, green tea, cacao, hemp, and coconut. However, some of them aren’t: Reishi, Cordyceps, Ashwagandha. This product is made of pure plant protein, 1,000mg functional mushrooms, 500mg adaptogens, and no gums or hidden fillers. It is sucralose-free, refined sugar-free, and even stevia-free and it is instead sweetened with the natural flavors of organic coconut palm sugar, organic yacon juice powder pink Himalayan salt, and organic monk fruit.

Protein Source: organic hemp protein powder, organic American pea protein, organic chia, organic pumpkin protein, and organic coconut protein.

Protein per Serving: 18g

Flavours: Vanilla, Creamy Cacao, Peanut Butter, Cafe’ Mocha, and Unflavoured

Size: 21.16 oz / 1.32 lb / 600g

Packaging: recyclable cardboard and aluminium containers, however the lid is still plastic.

Check the latest price on:

• Amazon USA
• Four Sigmatic website

Related: How to Repair Running Shoes

4. Planet Protein – USA

It is a USA-based company that deeply cares about the people, and the planet so they hold themselves to the highest standards of quality. The company produces protein powder using a USDA Organic certified blend of pea, brown rice, pumpkin seeds, and hemp. The powder is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free, peanut-free. 

Protein Source: pea protein, brown rice protein, pumpkin seeds protein, and hemp protein.

Protein per Serving: 22g

Flavours: Vanilla or chocolate.

Size: 1.6 or 1.9 lbs

Packaging: The company has been dealing with the plastic pollution problem by introducing a zero-waste protein recycling program to close the loop their wrappers and bags while rewarding customers for doing their part. It encourages customers to send back the empty protein bags which are recycled later by specified recyclers, enabling them to earn points for their future purchases.

5. Rheal Superfoods Plant Protein – UK

This company sells 100% certified organic (by Organic Farmers & Growers, UK OFG), vegan and gluten-free food products including protein supplements made in the UK. The protein powder has naturally sourced ingredients like organic pea, hemp, and pumpkin seeds which are rich in protein content. It doesn’t use any artificial sweetening agents or flavors.

Protein Source: organic pea protein, hemp protein, and pumpkin seeds protein

Protein per Serving: over 20g

Flavours: Clean Greens, Balance Tonic, Berry Beauty, Coco Dream, Magic Matcha

Size: 150g

Packaging: Cardboard containers that can be reused.

Update: it seems that this product has been discontinued.

6. Vitally Vegan – UK

It is a UK-based company renowned for manufacturing plastic-free vegan products and supplements. The protein powder is enriched with vitamin B12 obtained from plant-based flaxseeds, sea greens, matcha, etc.  The protein powder has no artificial sweeteners and blends well with water and oatmeal.Vitally Vegan has won 3rd place for favorite protein powder in the UK.

Flavours: It is available in natural flavors like chocolate coconut, orange, and caramel.

Packaging: The company provides the product in glass bottles and later sends refills packed in recyclable paper and cardboard boxes to avoid plastic pollution.

Update: it seems this company doesn’t exist any longer.

Related: 16 Plastic Free Vitamins and Plastic Free Supplements

7. The Nu Company Numove Nar – Germany / UK

The Nu Company is a German food start-up that has its distribution network in the UK and Europe. The company introduced a protein bar named numove, which contains 100% natural and plant-based protein. The natural sweetness is obtained from organic coconut blossom nectar. The powder is enriched with plant-based protein obtained from peas and sunflowers. The price is also less compared to other vegan products in the same category. 3% of their revenue is devolved to planting trees in Madagascar and Nepal through the Eden Reforestation Project.

Protein Sources: pea protein and sunflower seeds protein

Protein per Serving: 49g

Flavours: the bars available in three different flavors namely, Berry, Vanilla, and Cocoa Cinnamon.

Size: bar

Packaging: all products are plastic-free and packed in thin home compostable cellulose foil, delivered in cardboard boxes.

Update: the company seems to have discontinued this product range, however they sell other amazing bars & snacks, all in plastic-free packaging.

Browse The Nu Company

DISCOUNT: 20% OFF with Code SWEETLOVE20 on the whole Nucao product range from 07.05. to 18.05.2023.

8. Vivo Life Perform Performance Plant Protein – UK

This company manufactures and sells sustainable plant-based and almost zero-waste protein powder. It is available in different flavors which are naturally sourced. The specialties of this product are that it contains 100% plant-based components and fermented protein for better digestion. The protein powder provides high protein content per serving, obtained from bio-fermented yellow peas and cold-pressed hemp as natural ingredients.

Protein Source: yellow pea protein, cold-pressed hemp protein

Protein per Serving: 25g

Flavours: Gingerbread, Madagascan Vanilla, Strawberry & Vanilla, Salted Maca Caramel, Raw Cacao, Banana & Cinnamon, Acai & Blueberry

Size: Small (514-535g) or Large (910-998g)

Packaging: The company has removed the pesky plastic scoops previuosly used in each bag and is introducing 100% home compostable packaging across their entire product range. The pouches are made entirely from plants and will compost in your food waste or even your back garden.

Check the latest price on:

• VIVO LIFE
• Amazon UK

 9. Bulk- UK

Bulk started back in 2006 and it has now become one of the largest and fastest-growing nutrition brands in the world. They have created a multi-protein vegan blend to increasing your protein intake as part of a healthy, plant-based balanced lifestyle. Each 30g serving contains at least 23g protein, less than 0.6g sugar, 2.1g fat and less than 132 calories.

They combine five premium plant proteins including pea protein, brown rice protein, pumpkin protein, flaxseed powder and quinoa flour. The powders also contain a blend of five digestive enzymes (protease, amylase, lipase, lactase and cellulase) to help you break down the protein. Their products are manufactured in the UK in their in-house facilities.

Protein Source: pea protein, brown rice protein, pumpkin protein, flaxseed powder and quinoa flour.

Protein per Serving: at least 23g

Flavours: Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Peanut. The unflavoured option allows you to mix it up and make it your own flavour.

Size: 1kg or 2.5kg

Packaging: they have removed all single-use packaging from their product range transitioning over 90% of their packaging materials to sustainable alternatives.

Check out the latest price on:

• Bulk UK website
• Amazon UK

 10. GoGood – Australia / New Zealand / Worlwide

GoGood is a New Zealand based award winning company for their clean and pure protein powders. Their plastic free plant protein range is made with pure European Golden Peas, grown in Northern France, and processed and blended to the highest standards in Belgium. To ensure the supply of a high quality and safe product, they use rigorous testing regimes, and chemical-free, GMO-free processing with nothing artificial.

To be closer to their growing customer base in Asia, they set up a distribution warehouse in Hong Kong from where they ship globally.

Protein Source: European Golden pea protein.

Protein per Serving: 22 / 23 g

Flavours: Organic chocolate, organic coffee & organic vanilla.

Size: 500g or 1kg

Packaging: Go Good canisters are completely plastic free as they are made from 90% recycled cardboard and aluminum. These are two of the easiest materials to recycle and with some of the longest reusable lifespans. They also use ergonomic shipping boxes which allowed to remove the need for packing fill and sellotape completely reducing the environmental impact during transportation.

Check the latest price and receive an automatic 15% DISCOUNT at checkout:

• GoGood Australia / New Zealand
• GoGood Worldwide

 11. Bare Blends – Australia

Bare Blends is an Australian company that sells protein powders made with high-quality natural ingredients. The plant-based protein in the products serves the purpose of weight loss and lean muscles.  It uses natural sweetening agents like monk fruit extract which has anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, and antioxidant effects. The protein powder is certified as free of pesticides, chemicals, and metallic components and contains essential amino acids.

Protein Source:  golden pea and sprouted brown rice protein.

Protein per Serving: 19.8g

Flavours: The powder is available in a variety of natural flavors like cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, coconut, and strawberry.

Size: 750g

Packaging: The plastic-free compostable packaging demonstrates the company’s eco-friendly initiative.

Check the latest price on:

• Amazon Australia

Alternative: Buy Zero Waste Protein Powders in Bulk Stores

Another way how to make use of your plant based protein powders without generating much waste is to check with your local zero waste bulk store if they stock them. Bulk foods stores have a variety of lose items including pasta, rice, nuts, seeds, super foods and protein powders. You can bring along your mason jar or any container you have at home and have a true circular, zero waste shopping experience. The only inconvenience with this system is to have to carry your own containers and not having an automatic subscription where the products are delivered to your home on a regular basis.

Conclusion

It has been observed that there are several choices available for sustainable & vegan plastic-free protein powder that also uses eco-friendly packaging. The companies mentioned in the discussion are trying to make products avoiding ingredients and materials that are damaging to the environment. They are also trying to reduce their carbon footprint by becoming more eco-friendly with their products, practices, and packaging. They might not be completely zero-waste protein powders, but the are very close compared to the average products on the market!

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The majority of consumers say the most difficult area where to reduce plastic is the grocery shopping. Read more articles related to “plastic-free groceries.”

Browse the I’m Plastic Free directory to discover plastic pollution solutions.

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