Part & Parcel
the official blog of Parcel Health
Circular Solution: How Paper Packaging Keeps Plastic Out of the Waste Stream
A “circular solution” refers to a system in which products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible, through recycling, reuse, and composting—rather than the take-make-waste model of most packaging today. Paper-based packaging fits beautifully into this vision, especially when it’s made from responsibly-sourced materials, can be curbside-recyclable, and even composts at end-of-life.
The Silent Protector
When you think of what protects your medicine, your mind might immediately go to the pharmacist, the physician, or the complex regulatory systems in place. But one of the most crucial—and often overlooked—guardians of your health is the container which holds your medicine when it is delivered or picked up. Packaging isn't just about holding pills. It's about preserving efficacy, ensuring safety, preventing contamination, and maintaining trust.
Historically, plastic has dominated this role. But just like the unlikely superhero that ends up saving the day, a quieter, more sustainable, and surprisingly effective contender is stepping forward: paper.
💡 Innovation isn’t always what you add. Sometimes, it’s what you choose not to.
💡 Innovation isn’t always what you add. Sometimes, it’s what you choose not to. Over the past four years, I’ve seen many promising smart packaging with sensors, trackers, and biomaterials that sound futuristic—but cost a fortune and rarely scale.
At Parcel Health, we’ve taken a different path.
We’ve resisted the temptation to layer on fancy electronics or chase new materials. Not because we aren’t capable—but because the people we serve, from community pharmacies to large health systems, need affordable, lightweight, and accessible packaging today.
Our technology isn’t flashy. It’s quietly radical.
We use commercially scaled materials and we’ve engineered a proprietary way to assemble them so they are:
• Child-resistant
• Water-resistant
• Sustainable
• And now, temperature-resilient and force-resilient for mail-order medications
This isn’t the kind of innovation that sends celebrities to the moon. But it’s the kind that keeps patients safe and pharmacies running efficiently.
How Parcel Coat™ Is Redefining Pharmaceutical Packaging
Pharmaceutical packaging has become more than just a choice of container — it has emerged as an inflection point for an organization to make a statement. Because of this shift, traditional materials like plastic and aluminum are facing growing scrutiny for their environmental and economic costs. Meanwhile, paper is getting a second look.
It’s a new era for paper. In large part, the launch of Parcel Coat™, Parcel Health’s proprietary paper layering tech stack, has fueled this renewed excitement about paper.
Please Help Celebrate Our Partner of the Month for May: Harborside Pharmacy and Wellness
We are proud to partner with pharmacies that go above and beyond in delivering compassionate, community-centered care. That’s why we’re excited to recognize Harborside Pharmacy & Wellness as our Partner of the Month for May 2025!
Where Personalized Care Meets Trusted Expertise
Located in the heart of Fort Pierce, Florida, Harborside Pharmacy & Wellness is redefining what a modern, patient-first pharmacy experience looks like. Founded by a dedicated husband-and-wife team of pharmacists, Harborside Pharmacy is rooted in a shared belief that healthcare should be compassionate, accessible, and deeply personal.
As a family-owned business, Harborside brings warmth, trust, and a true sense of community to every interaction. Whether patients walk through the door for a prescription refill, wellness guidance, or simply to ask a health-related question, the Harborside team makes it clear: You are not just a number—you are family.
Paving the Path to Sustainability: How Paper Packaging Helps Divert Tons of Plastic Waste
Have you noticed the whiplash discussion in the public square? One day sustainability seems to be at the forefront and in every headline. The next? Louder voices emerge to reaffirm status quo practices. And yet, above all the din, one truth seems to remain constant: As a global collective, we have come to agree that plastic waste is not a crisis worth tolerating. That we can, and will, do better.
As this belief continues to grow, so has the idea that now is a moment for action. The public sector is not willing to ignore its customers. And customers are not willing to sit by and wait for any public sector regulation to make a difference. Once again, packaging has found itself at the center of the conversation.
Cooler by Design: The Safety Benefits of Paper-Based Prescription Packaging
As environmental innovation reshapes the packaging industry, paper is no longer just eco-friendly—it’s temperature-smart. With emerging research and real-world examples pointing to its superior thermal performance, paper-based prescription packaging may be cooler by design in more ways than one.
Parcel Health Celebrated by Pittsburgh Business Times 2025 “Startups to Watch” Event, at Workscape
Pittsburgh Business Times hosted its 2025 Startups to Watch event at Workscape on May 7, 2025
Designing for Circularity and Elegance: Rethinking Materials in Pharmaceutical Packaging
What is a circular economy? As climate challenges escalate and consumer expectations evolve, the linear “take-make-dispose” model of production has become increasingly unpopular, with 81% of Americans supporting legislation to curb it. At Parcel Health, we believe the future is circular—and that healthcare packaging can lead the way. A circular economy is not just about recycling more—it’s about rethinking everything: how products are made, used, and returned to the earth or economy.
A key step, as we advance toward this goal, could be to redefine the emotional and functional experience of packaging. In healthcare, trust, safety, and dignity matter. That’s why pharmaceutical elegance is emerging as a vital layer of innovation, particularly in solutions like paper pill bottles.
This blog explores how the circular economy can transform packaging; the distinct roles of materials like paper, aluminum, tin, and plastic; and why aesthetically refined, compostable solutions are key to driving systemic change.
April’s Partner of the Month: Hello Cake & Introducing “The Daily Chew”
At Parcel Health, we believe in celebrating partnerships that don't just meet the moment—but help define the future of health and wellness. That’s why we are thrilled to recognize Hello Cake as our Partner of the Month for April!
This innovative brand is well known for its fearless approach to sexual wellness—infused with wit, aesthetic charm, and a dedication to making care feel accessible and empowering. But this month, Hello Cake made waves in a whole new category with the launch of their exciting new product: The Daily Chew.
Leading the Charge: Parcel Health's Voice at the Chemicals of Concern Summit
Chemicals of Concern Summit, April 22-23, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina, an invitation-only event, brought together stakeholders across the entire material and packaging ecosystem, including government officials, NGOs, scientists, alternatives-to-plastics producers, and upstream, midstream, and downstream industry participants, to collaborate on Guidelines for Chemicals of Concern for Plastic Alternatives and Non-Plastic Substitutes ahead of Global Plastic Pollution Treaty INC 5.2 negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland on August 5 -14th.
Day One, April 22, was a technical day targeted for packaging value chain representatives, NGOs, and scientists. Day Two, April 23, was an open session that will also include U.S. policymakers, regulatory agencies, and the media.
The summit aimed to produce an output to inform U.S. policymakers and regulatory agencies, Global Treaty negotiators, and international chemical conventions, including the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions.
The mission of this program is to identify health-driven & business viable approaches to chemical regulation for alternatives and non-plastics substitutes.
We invite you to review the Full Event Program.
From Landfill to Lifecycle: Solving the Pharmaceutical Plastic Waste Crisis
Healthcare’s plastic-centric packaging system is becoming increasingly unsustainable. Could paper pill packaging like Parcel Health Tully Tubes be part of the solution?
A Love Letter to the Earth from Parcel Health: Earth Day 2025
Our work isn’t just about paper bottles. It’s about redefining what it means to care. It’s about showing that healthcare can be both effective and responsible. That protecting people’s health includes protecting the planet that sustains them.
Reduce Waste, Build Trust: Sustainable Strategies for Enhancing Patient Perception
Reduce Waste, Build Trust Earth Day Webinar April 22, 2025
Paper Packaging’s Timeless Appeal: Bringing Back the Charm of Classic Pharmacy Design
In an age where sleek, digital-forward brands dominate, there’s something undeniably nostalgic and reassuring about the charm of classic pharmacy design. Among its most enduring elements is the humble paper pharmacy bag. Often overlooked, these bags symbolize more than just a container for medication—they represent a deeper connection to customer care, environmental consciousness, and the roots of community pharmacy. In today’s evolving pharmaceutical landscape, paper packaging is making a quiet but powerful comeback—and pharmacists are embracing it with open arms.
March Partner of the Month, Health Park Pharmacy
We are proud to announce Health Park Pharmacy as Parcel Health’s Partner of the Month for March!
Located within Isabella Citizens for Health, Inc., a comprehensive health center in the heart of City of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Health Park Pharmacy exemplifies the values we hold dear: protecting people and preserving our planet.
What is Parcel Coat™
Pharmacies, virtual care providers and telehealth / digital health companies, increasingly ship medications directly to patients for convenience and accessibility. With this trend has emerged growing concerns from pharmacies, patients, and regulators around shipment safety and temperature stability.
To address these concerns, Parcel Health has pioneered a proprietary coating and layering mechanism — Parcel Coat — to provide water-resistance, sustainability, and short-term insulation to our packaging solutions.
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of packaging materials efficacy—meaning how well can packaging materials maintain the integrity of medications—and the follow-on issues of both plastic and paper packaging.
Leveraging Science for Better Telehealth Packaging
The rapid evolution of telehealth has transformed the healthcare landscape, making medical consultations more accessible and convenient. However, this shift also brings challenges, particularly in ensuring the integrity of medications delivered directly to patients. Prescription packaging plays a pivotal role in preserving medication efficacy, safety, and compliance in the telehealth era.
The Elegance of Sustainability
How Eco-friendly Packaging Elevates Patient Experience: In today’s healthcare landscape, sustainability is no longer an afterthought—it’s a necessity. The packaging of pharmaceutical products plays a critical role in the patient experience, ensuring both safety and convenience while addressing the pressing need for environmentally responsible solutions. One of the most promising innovations in this space is the shift toward paper-based prescription pill bottles, a solution that merges functionality with sustainability.
As healthcare organizations and pharmaceutical companies embrace eco-friendly alternatives, paper-based packaging stands out as an elegant, patient-centric solution. Not only does it reduce environmental impact, but it also enhances the patient experience by promoting safety, ease of use, and brand trust. Let’s explore how this simple yet profound innovation is reshaping the pharmaceutical industry.
February Partner of the Month: The Wellness Company
This month, we are thrilled to spotlight our esteemed partner, The Wellness Company (TWC), whose commitment to preventative health and patient-centric care aligns seamlessly with our mission. Our partnership with TWC is rooted in a shared dedication to empowering individuals on their wellness journeys. By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to support TWC’s accessible, patient-focused healthcare solutions that prioritize prevention and holistic well-being.