Our Regenerative Journey — # LoseTheScoop : How Mikuna Is Redefining Plant Protein for People, Planet & Clean Packaging

At Mikuna, sustainability isn’t a marketing angle — it’s our foundation. From Ecuadorian regenerative agriculture to the materials we choose for our packaging, we believe that every decision should nourish both people and the planet. Our #LoseTheScoop initiative is part of that commitment, reducing plastic waste and pushing our industry forward.

But today, sustainability is about more than recycling — it’s increasingly about avoiding microplastics and PFAS, which are rapidly becoming some of the most concerning environmental and health threats of our time. That’s why our packaging evolution goes beyond aesthetics: it is rooted in science, responsibility, and long-term ecological vision.

🌱 From the Andes to Your Table: A Regenerative Origin Story

I grew up on the coast of Ecuador surrounded by mangrove forests — living, breathing ecosystems that showed me exactly how human choices impact nature. As a fifth-generation farmer, I saw firsthand how extractive agriculture and deforestation erode soil, communities, and biodiversity.

Years later, reconnecting with Indigenous Andean farmers cultivating Chocho (Lupinus mutabilis) sparked the vision for Mikuna. These farmers use regenerative techniques — natural nitrogen fixation, minimal inputs, soil-building practices — to grow one of the most sustainable protein crops on the planet.

Legumes like lupins have been shown to significantly increase soil fertility, reduce nitrogen requirements, and improve long-term ecosystem resilience. (Valpro Path)

♻️ #LoseTheScoop: Designed for a Cleaner Planet

When we launched Mikuna, one of our biggest sources of packaging waste was single-use plastic scoops. Most people already have measuring spoons at home — yet the supplement industry continues producing billions of plastic scoops every year.

So we made a change:

• We eliminated plastic scoops entirely.

• We upgraded to pouches made from 55% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material.

• We increased serving capacity by 30% per pouch, reducing shipping frequency and packaging per gram of protein.

This transition reduces waste, carbon footprint, and long-term microplastic pollution — a major concern for today’s consumers.

⚠️ Why Microplastics & PFAS Are a Serious Concern — And Why Packaging Matters

Modern research is sounding the alarm on microplastics and PFAS (“forever chemicals”). As a clean-label brand built on regenerative values, we think consumers deserve transparency about these issues.

Microplastics: Found in Water, Soil, Air — and Food Packaging

Studies now show that microplastics are found in:

• Bottled water, tap water, and soil

• Food packaging (especially rigid plastics)

• The air we breathe

• Human blood and lung tissue

Daily plastic exposure can shed microplastic particles into food — especially when packaging is rigid, highly processed, or heated. Microplastics have been associated with oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and potential endocrine disruption. (WHO, 2023)

By moving away from rigid plastic canisters and unnecessary scoops, Mikuna reduces the amount of long-lived plastic that enters waste streams and, ultimately, the environment.

PFAS: The Hidden Chemicals in Many “Compostable” or “Grease-Proof” Packages

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used in:

• Food-safe coatings

• Heat-resistant liners

• Grease-proof packaging

• Many compostable “eco” materials

They accumulate in soil, water, and the human body — and do not break down (hence “forever chemicals”). PFAS exposure has been linked to immune suppression, hormone disruption, and long-term chronic disease risk. (EPA, 2024)

Our packaging contains no intentionally added PFAS, aligning with our clean-food mission and regenerative values.

🌍 Regenerative Agriculture + Clean Packaging = Real Sustainability

True sustainability has to address both ends of the supply chain:

Upstream:

Chocho is grown regeneratively, supporting soil biodiversity and reducing synthetic fertilizer dependence through natural nitrogen fixation. Its production has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional soy or dairy protein. 

Downstream:

By ditching plastic scoops, increasing PCR content, and avoiding PFAS-lined materials, Mikuna reduces waste and long-term microplastic contamination.

This two-sided approach allows us to protect ecosystems from seed to shelf.