Growing up in Delhi, Nikhil Kumar saw plastic waste everywhere — on streets, in parks, and even in the rivers that once ran clear. But he wasn’t just a silent observer; deep down, he knew something had to change.
As a young entrepreneur, Nikhil explored various ventures , he dabbled in coffee, and tried his hand at clothing — but nothing felt quite right. “I’ve always been driven to create something that’s uniquely mine,” he shares.
That drive, coupled with an increasing awareness of the plastic waste crisis, became his motivation. “I felt compelled to seek a solution,” he says.
In 2021, Nikhil co-founded Greenevon Bio Bottles to create a product that mimicked the look and affordability of plastic but was biodegradable and environmentally friendly. His goal was clear — a lightweight and sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bottles.
Nikhil explored various alternatives, including copper, bamboo, and wood, but they were expensive and heavy. He sought a solution that was both affordable and practical for manufacturers. This led him to explore plant-based materials.
Refining the idea, however, wasn’t easy. It took nearly two and a half years of relentless trial and error to perfect the bottle. The biggest hurdle was making the material transparent under varying temperatures and conditions.
The bottles are made from polycarbonate and starch derived from sugarcane, making them biodegradable. They decompose in nature within six months or 180 days.
“You can tap the bottle, and it will sound like plastic; you can touch it, you can feel it — it looks identical. The only difference is that it’s biodegradable, plant-based, and environmentally friendly,” says Nikhil.
These bottles are stable up to 55°C, completely free of polycarbonate leaks, and versatile enough to hold liquids, semi-liquids, dairy, pharmaceuticals, and solid food items.
Yet, the challenge remains — while plastic bottles are cheap, Nikhil’s biodegradable bottles currently cost eight times more. “Anything produced in smaller quantities tends to be slightly more expensive. We are striving to make our product more affordable,” he says.
Greenevon Bio Bottles has officially launched its new product in the Indian market, now branded as Plantstiks.
Reflecting on his journey, Nikhil says, “My motivation was to create something eco-conscious, and I left the rest to fate.”