Back to Putting Scoops in Bags
At NZProtein, we’re always looking for ways to reduce waste and make our products more sustainable. Earlier this year, we trialled a scoop-less system — removing plastic scoops from our 1 kg bags of protein powder. The idea was simple: cut down on single-use plastic. Customers who still wanted a scoop could add one at checkout, free of charge.
While the intention was good, the reality proved a little more complicated.
Why We Tried Going Scoop-Less
Every small step toward reducing plastic helps. Many customers already have spare scoops at home, and we thought this change could help cut down on unnecessary waste. We received a lot of positive feedback from those who appreciated the sustainability effort — and we still believe it was a worthwhile experiment.
What We Found
Despite our best efforts to communicate the change, it caused confusion for many customers. Some expected a scoop inside the bag, others didn’t notice the scoop-less note at checkout, and a few even thought they’d received an incomplete order.
For our warehouse team, it also created extra complexity in packing and customer service follow-ups.
In short, while the idea was environmentally friendly, the overall experience wasn’t as smooth or convenient as we’d hoped.
Back to the Basics — Scoops Are Back!
After reviewing feedback and operational impacts, we’ve decided to return to including a scoop inside every 1 kg bag. This ensures convenience and consistency — no more guesswork about serving sizes or searching for a spare scoop.
We’ll continue to look for other ways to minimise packaging waste and improve sustainability without compromising the customer experience.
If you still prefer to reuse an old scoop, we encourage you to do so! The extra scoop can be set aside for another product, shared, or recycled where facilities allow.
Thank You for Your Feedback
We genuinely appreciate everyone who shared their thoughts during the scoop-less trial. Your feedback helps us strike the right balance between sustainability, simplicity, and customer satisfaction.