Charlottesville, Va.-based UVA Health is swapping traditional plastic pill bottles for recyclable containers called Tully Tubes to reduce waste and cut carbon admissions, according to an April 22 news release.
The bottles, developed by Parcel Health, are made from 100% recyclable materials with a compostable paper core. They are also child-resistant and moisture-resistant.
UVA Specialty Pharmacy and UVA Health Pharmacy Ivy Road will begin using them this week, with all UVA Health pharmacy locations expected to follow in the coming months.
UVA Health bought more than 600,000 plastic pill bottles in 2024. The paper containers cost about the same, according to the system, but generate about 30% less carbon — the equivalent of avoiding more than 24,000 miles driven in a gas-powered vehicle.
“Making the switch to paper bottles is part of our ongoing effort to provide excellent care and service to our patients while reducing waste and disposing of unused medications in a responsible way,” Danielle Griggs, PharmD, UVA Health’s chief pharmacy officer, said in the release. “This includes our drug take-back receptacles at eight of our pharmacies along with using recyclable supplies for our home delivery operations.”
