Paper-based prescription bottle can help heal both patients and the planet

Thanks to its affordability and ease of production, plastic has pretty much made its way into every aspect of modern life. That’s not just limited to consumer electronics, furniture, or tableware, but even medicine and supplements all use this material. According to a 2019 study, there will have been over 9 million plastic pill bottles in the market by now, and many of these end up in landfills rather than recycled properly.

The trend these days in packaging is to substitute plastic with more sustainable materials, whether it’s recycled plastic or paper. That’s a bit harder to do in the medical field, which has stricter requirements than simply replacing plastic. Fortunately, it seems that the wait is finally over and the industry’s first sustainable prescription pill bottle made with 100% recyclable paper.

Designer: Parcel Health

Like with every bit of plastic, those iconic orange pill bottles look harmless, even though their contents may or may not be. While some have their prescriptions refilled using the same bottle, most others simply throw away theirs once they’re done. That’s especially true for supplements and pills that don’t get refilled but still come in plastic bottles.

Tully Tubes are trying to prove that there is no reason for this status quo to remain. Made from 100% sustainably sourced paper, the cylindrical bottles are certified by the US FDA, among other agencies, for use in food and medicine packaging. That said, not all of the bottle is made of paper. The child-resistant cap is still made from plastic, but at least uses post-consumer recycled plastic to offset the environmental impact.

Of course, you can’t just have a paper bottle and call it a day, and this design takes a few more steps to make it appropriate for this particular use. It is, for example, resistant to water, humidity, and heat, thanks to a three-layer construction. It is covered with a food-safe and compostable coating to protect it from water and the elements as well. And when it’s time to throw it away, a proprietary pull tab lets you separate the paper and plastic parts so you can safely compost the bottle itself while the cap gets sent to a recycling plant.

While such a revolutionary sustainable pill bottle complies with pharmaceutical requirements, it also opens up opportunities that regular plastic bottles don’t offer. Because they are disposable and recyclable, it is easier to invest in customizing the appearance of the bottles, like printing designs and characters to further engage customers, something companies might not be willing to do with plastic bottles because of their cost.

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