Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath raises concerns over small water bottles adding to plastic waste burden

Nithin Kamath, Founder and CEO of Zerodha, the largest stock brokerage firm in India, raised his concerns about the small size of plastic bottles adding to the burden of plastic waste.

“While it is hard to completely get rid of plastic water bottles from our lives, I don't get why they are getting smaller. They're adding to the already massive plastic problem.”

While it is hard to completely get rid of plastic water bottles from our lives, I don't get why they are getting smaller. They're adding to the already massive plastic problem.
The 200ml bottles at hotels & airports are ridiculous because customers have the ability to spend. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/IDqem5S3bC

— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) June 2, 2023

In a series of tweets ahead of the World Environment Day, which will be observed on June 5 worldwide, Kamath particularly highlighted the prevalence of 200ml bottles found in hotels and at airports, which lead to unnecessary increase in plastic waste.

He pointed out that instead of using a single bottle customers are forced to use multiple smaller bottles, which exacerbates the plastic pollution issue. Kamath also questioned the economics behind this trend, stating that the cost for manufacturers remains almost the same, suggesting that sachetization must be driving increased sales and subsequently contributing to the plastic waste problem.

Kamath further expressed his worry adding that, “Maybe there should be some restrictions from the Govt on this? Otherwise, we might continue the trend of 1lt to 500ml to 200ml and 100ml or a single-sip plastic bottle in the future.” He also emphasised that when consumers purchase plastic water bottles, they are primarily paying for the plastic itself, rather than the water.

Kamath's tweet gained significant attention on social media, quickly going viral with 315.6k views, 2474 likes and 288 Retweets. Users chimed in with their own perspectives on the matter, offering potential solutions and sharing their experiences. One user suggested a return to glass bottles whenever feasible, saying, “If we are not able to manage waste disposal properly, I think it is time to go back to glass bottles wherever we conveniently can.”

If we are not able to manage the waste disposal properly, I think it is time to go back to glass bottles wherever we conveniently can.

— Abhinav Kumar (@singhabhinav) June 2, 2023

Another user highlighted the issue of water quality, particularly in India saying, “Also Often in India the water in plastic bottles turns toxic as they get exposed to high temperatures during transportation or even display at hotels etc.”

Also Often in India the water in plastic bottle turns toxic as they get exposed to high temperatures during transportation or even display at hotels etc.

— Sunil Kumar Pachar (@SunilPachar) June 2, 2023

Yet another user emphasised the need for government intervention. “Unless it's mandated by the government to ban single-use plastic bottles with a capacity of 1 liter and below, we are going to end up with huge mountains of plastics,” read the comment.

Unless it's mandated by govt to ban single use of plastic with 1 ltr and below we are going to end up huge mountains of plastics.

— Pranav Butani (@pranavbutani) June 2, 2023

Interestingly, the theme of this year's World Environment Day is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’. Every year a different theme is selected to highlight various problems around climate change and environment protection.