Summary:
Melinda Su-En Lee co-founded Parcel Health to combat plastic waste in medication packaging.
The Tully Tube reduces plastic use by 53% compared to traditional bottles.
Parcel Health has displaced over 150,000 plastic bottles since August 30.
The startup's innovative design promotes self-care and reduces the stigma associated with medication.
Aiming to displace one million plastic bottles by summer 2025.
Tackling Plastic Waste in Healthcare
During her time in pharmacy school, Melinda Su-En Lee noticed the overwhelming number of plastic pill bottles she handled daily. This experience ignited her passion for sustainability, particularly when she considered the growing landfills in her home country of Malaysia, which has become a leading destination for plastic waste from the U.S. Many of these pill bottles are too small for recycling machines, contributing significantly to environmental pollution.
The Birth of Parcel Health
In 2020, Melinda co-founded Parcel Health with product designer Mallory Barrett. Their mission: to create sustainable medication packaging. Their latest innovation, the Tully Tube, reduces plastic use by 53% compared to traditional bottles. This product features a detachable paper base, allowing consumers to either compost or recycle it while the plastic neck and lid can also be recycled.
Since launching Tully Tube, Parcel Health has broken sales records and displaced over 150,000 plastic bottles since August 30.
Support from the Pittsburgh Community
Originally founded in Michigan, Parcel Health joined an incubator program in Pittsburgh in 2021, which provided them with essential investment and networking opportunities. Melinda noted the collaborative spirit of the Pittsburgh startup community as a significant factor in their growth.
Reducing Plastics — and Stigma
Parcel Health’s first product, the Phill Box, was a plastic-free alternative but lacked compatibility with pharmacy automation systems. This led to the development of the Tully Tube, which incorporates some recyclable plastic while maintaining a sustainable focus. The product's design is intended to make medication feel less intimidating, promoting a sense of self-care.
Expanding Reach and Patient Satisfaction
Parcel Health has partnered with 41 pharmacies across the U.S. and Canada, up from just eight states two years ago. Their innovative packaging has generated interest among patients, many of whom were previously unaware of eco-friendly options.
Despite some challenges, including size limitations for larger pills and slightly higher costs, Parcel Health aims to displace one million plastic bottles by summer 2025. They remain committed to incremental improvements in reducing plastic in healthcare products.
First Published: December 14, 2024 Updated: December 14, 2024
Comments