Sustainable Paper Prescription Tubes Gain Industry Use
Pharmacy operators can cut plastic waste by up to 71% by adopting paper-based tubes that fit existing automation systems.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Healthcare
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Pittsburgh-based Parcel Health has gained national recognition for its sustainable packaging solution, the Tully Tube, which replaces traditional plastic pill bottles. The product, which launched in 2024, is currently utilized by 71 pharmacies, health systems, and veterinary practices across the U.S.
Why it matters
As healthcare operators face increasing pressure to improve environmental sustainability, the Tully Tube offers a way to reduce plastic waste by up to 71% without requiring changes to existing pharmacy automation infrastructure.
Parcel Health has sold over 1 million units of its recyclable paper-based Tully Tube since its 2024 launch, achieving a 40% to 71% reduction in plastic use compared to traditional bottles. The product is currently deployed across 71 pharmacy, hospital, and veterinary locations.
The players
Parcel Health
A Pittsburgh-based startup that develops sustainable, paper-based packaging alternatives for the pharmacy and medical supply industry.
Melinda Su-En Lee
Co-founder of Parcel Health who helped establish the company's operational presence in Pittsburgh.
Mallory Barrett
Co-founder of Parcel Health who helped establish the company's operational presence in Pittsburgh.
The details
The Tully Tube utilizes a recyclable paper body designed to effectively block light and moisture, ensuring medication integrity while maintaining compatibility with standard pharmacy filling equipment. Operators can transition to this system by integrating the tubes with current automation workflows, while maintaining child-resistant or easy-open cap options for patients.
Timeline
2020: Parcel Health was founded.
2021: The company moved to Pittsburgh through the AlphaLab Health accelerator.
2024: Parcel Health launched the Tully Tube product line.
2026: The Tully Tube appeared on TIME's Best Inventions list.
Market Landscape
The recognition of the Tully Tube on TIME's Best Inventions list highlights a maturing market for sustainable pharmacy packaging. It signals a departure from purely experimental designs toward solutions that integrate with established pharmacy automation.
Pharmacy and veterinary operators should evaluate whether their current plastic packaging volumes offer a cost-effective opportunity to transition to fiber-based alternatives. Assess compatibility with your existing automation systems to determine if such a switch would necessitate hardware modifications.
The takeaway
Sustainable packaging is no longer just a marketing differentiator but an operational tool for reducing institutional waste. Operators should monitor their plastic waste metrics to determine if the 40% to 71% reduction threshold aligns with their corporate sustainability targets.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts in medical supply operations, visit Healthcare.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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