Why are More Veterinarians Switching to Sustainable Prescription Packaging?
The growing shift among veterinary professionals toward eco-friendly alternatives is changing the landscape of prescription delivery in animal care.
Sustainability Comes to the Veterinary Counter
For decades, the default choice for dispensing pet medications has been the standard orange plastic vial—ubiquitous, inexpensive, and easily stocked. But a new wave of veterinary professionals is questioning the status quo, driven by a growing awareness of environmental impacts, client expectations, and a desire to lead in sustainability. Today, veterinarians are exploring sustainable packaging alternatives that are not only planet-friendly but also align with the evolving values of their clientele.
Pet Owners are interested in sustainable ways to protect their pets and preserve the planet
This shift was spotlighted at recent gatherings such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention, where topics like climate impact, plastic waste, and eco-conscious care delivery took center stage. The AVMA—representing more than 100,000 U.S. veterinarians—has become a leading voice in guiding clinics toward environmentally responsible practices.
As the climate conversation increasingly shapes consumer behavior, veterinary practices are taking note: packaging matters. And in the world of pet prescriptions, it’s becoming a potent differentiator.
Rethinking Pill Bottles: The Environmental Toll of Veterinary Packaging
Conventional veterinary prescription vials are primarily composed of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—petroleum-derived plastics known for their strength but also for their recycling challenges. Despite being technically recyclable, these small containers often go unrecovered due to factors like their size, coloration, and the lack of clear disposal guidance for consumers.
Estimates from plastic manufacturing companies, such as Amcor, suggest that the U.S. pet industry alone generates nearly 300 million pounds packaging waste annually. While much attention is directed at food packaging, prescription containers represent a less visible but significant portion of this environmental burden. The complexities of recycling such vials—including their small size and compliance to local recycling guidelines—further reduce the likelihood of successful material recovery.
Veterinarians are beginning to reassess the sustainability of their packaging choices in response to both ethical considerations and evolving client expectations. A growing body of research, including a recent qualitative study on veterinary professionals’ perspectives, indicates a clear shift: environmental stewardship is becoming a core concern in clinical decision-making. Veterinarians interviewed in the study emphasized the need to minimize environmental harm not only through clinical practices but also in pharmacy operations, including sustainable medication dispensing methods (Grant et al., 2023).
Key factors driving this shift include:
Ethical Alignment: Many veterinary professionals now interpret the principle of "do no harm" to encompass environmental impacts, striving to align their practices with values of planetary health.
Client Demand: Younger pet owners—particularly Millennials and Gen Z—are more likely to favor and support environmentally responsible businesses. According to Amcor’s data, 67% of pet owners aged 25–44 are willing to pay a premium for eco-conscious packaging.
Professional Leadership: Organizations like the AVMA are increasingly spotlighting sustainability through conference panels, continuing education, and clinical guidelines that promote low-waste and carbon-conscious practices.
Market Differentiation: Eco-friendly packaging offers a competitive edge. Clinics adopting sustainable solutions often incorporate them into marketing strategies, using social media, in-clinic signage, and direct communication to strengthen their brand values.
Ultimately, the convergence of environmental ethics, professional leadership, and consumer expectations is compelling the veterinary industry to adopt greener, more responsible approaches to packaging—starting with the humble pill bottle.
What Makes Packaging Sustainable?
Veterinary clinics exploring more sustainable prescription packaging generally evaluate options along the following axes:
• Materials
Biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable materials like paperboard, glassine, or recycled plastics (PCR) replace virgin plastic. Packaging made with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified materials offers traceability and third-party validation.
• Carbon Footprint
Life-cycle assessments (LCAs) help clinics understand the carbon emissions associated with various packaging choices, including manufacturing, shipping, and disposal.
• Functionality
Sustainable packaging must still meet industry requirements, including moisture resistance, child-proofing, and dose labeling. Options like paper-based rigid containers can be adapted with internal liners to maintain compliance.
• End-of-Life Management
A sustainable option isn’t just about materials—it’s also about where the packaging ends up. Some clinics partner with take-back programs, or encourage clients to return containers for safe recycling or refill.
Options for Better Pill Bottles for the Planet
Veterinary practices have a growing menu of options when it comes to upgrading their prescription packaging. Here are several that are gaining traction:
1. The World’s First Paper-Based Pill Bottle, Parcel Health’s Tully Tube
Made from compostable paper fibers, these containers leverage Parcel Coat™ to maintain a sturdier profile than traditional plastic, food safety and most important, USP Compliance, which includes humidity resistance. Parcel Health’s core values, bringing back pharmaceutical elegance, is on full display as well, with both a natural aesthetic appeal coupled with their adorable “Pet Print” design that appeals to both eco-conscious veterinarians and pet owners.
2. PCR Plastic Vials
By using post-consumer recycled content, these containers reduce the demand for virgin plastic. Some suppliers offer vials made with up to 100% PCR material, paired with recyclable caps. These vials continue to face an uphill battle to actually reach recycling centers instead of landfills..
3. Glass or Metal Tins
While heavier and more costly, these options can be reused or returned, particularly for compounded medications or long-term prescriptions.
4. Compostable Bioplastics
Derived from corn or sugarcane, bioplastic vials and pouches are designed to break down in industrial compost settings, although they require strict handling and storage protocols, along with restrictive guidelines for commercial composting.
5. Refill Systems
Some progressive clinics are piloting refill programs, allowing clients to bring back their containers for reuse, coupled with digital tracking to ensure safety and compliance.
How Clinics Are Making the Switch
Transitioning to sustainable packaging can feel daunting, but many veterinary clinics are finding making the switch quite manageable. Here’s how they’re doing it:
• Start with High-Volume Items
Focusing on the most commonly dispensed prescriptions—like heartworm preventatives or antibiotics—can yield the biggest early impact.
• Be Flexible
At Parcel Health, we offer small-batch minimums, ready to ship, from the Parcel Health Shop, to help clinics evaluate feasibility and performance. Our “Pet Print” design has become a popular choice for veterinarians, office managers and packaging buyers who continue to buy cases at a time, according to inventory needs.
• Train Staff
Receptionists, techs, and pharmacy staff need clear instructions on handling, labeling, and communicating about the new packaging.
• Educate Clients
Simple signage and one-on-one conversations go a long way in helping pet owners understand and support the change. At Parcel Health, we can even design patient-centered support materials to help build enthusiasm about the switch to our paper-based pill bottles, like Parcel Prompts.
• Measure and Report
Tracking the number of plastic containers eliminated, or reductions in packaging waste, can be a powerful motivator for staff and clients alike. Impact calculators like ours are quite popular.
Case Study: A Small Clinic Makes a Big Change
In January, the Robinson Clinic began ordering “Pet Print” design Tully Tubes. Their enthusiastic adoption of our paper prescription pill bottles demonstrated their dedication to reducing plastic waste while providing the best care for their furry patients.
Robinson Animal Hospital’s decision to incorporate Tully Tube into their practice aligns with our mission to create eco-friendly pharmacy solutions. Our Tully Tubes are made from compostable paper, offering an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional plastic pill bottles. They are not just better for the planet, but also easier to dispose of responsibly—no more plastic vial clutter or waste.
Dr. Carsten Henkel, VMD, the founder of Robinson Animal Hospital, expressed his excitement about this transition, saying:
“We love the concept of paper prescription pill bottles, reducing plastic and getting to recycle them. We love the pet print, too. We just got them last week and look forward to ordering more.”
We appreciate Dr. Henkel and his team’s commitment to making veterinary medicine more sustainable. Their enthusiasm for our “Pet Print” Tully Tubes is inspiring, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them.
Challenges and Considerations
While the movement is growing, transitioning to sustainable prescription packaging does present real challenges:
• Cost
Eco-packaging options can be more expensive upfront, although bulk ordering and client loyalty can help offset the difference. Parcel Health Tully Tubes, especially at scale, offer price parity to most plastic vial options, however, making the transition to our eco-friendly packaging much easier.
• Storage and Durability
Customers often worry about whether a paper-based pill bottle could be sturdy enough for their pharmacy. Turns out, Tully Tubes withstand greater force and protect medications better than traditional vials, making our paper based pill bottles a safer option..
• Regulation
Ensuring compliance with FDA guidelines, child-safety standards, and USP drug packaging codes is non-negotiable.
• Supply Chain
Not all sustainable packaging suppliers are equipped to scale quickly, and demand is rising rapidly across industries.
Still, most of these obstacles can be addressed through phased rollouts, stakeholder education, and close collaboration with suppliers.
At Parcel Health, we take pride in our manufacturing partners' ability to work with us to scale and grow with each new partner we serve.
Looking Ahead: Policy, Practice, and Planet
As sustainability becomes more deeply embedded in veterinary practice management, expect to see more standardized guidelines.
The AVMA is expected to expand its sustainability resources, offering continuing education credits for clinics pursuing green certifications. And new startups are entering the space with innovative refill models, digital tracking, and biodegradable formulations.
More importantly, veterinarians themselves are becoming advocates. As stewards of animal health, they’re uniquely positioned to speak to the interconnectedness of ecosystems, and to lead by example.
Tully Tube: a Prescription to Protect Pets and Preserve the Planet
Veterinarians have always been at the front lines of care—for pets, their people, and increasingly, the planet. As pressure mounts to reduce plastic waste and align clinical practices with sustainability goals, prescription packaging is emerging as a powerful lever and differentiator.
From AVMA forums to the exam room counter, the message is clear: sustainable packaging isn’t a luxury. It’s a professional imperative, a client expectation, and a planetary necessity.
The future of pet care isn’t just about healthier animals. It’s about healthier systems. And that future is already being dispensed, one eco-friendly paper-based Tully Tube at a time.
Sources:
AVMA https://www.avma.org/about
Today’s Veterinary Practice https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/practice-management/a-practical-approach-to-sustainability-in-the-veterinary-clinic/
“Perspectives of vets on plastics in veterinary medicine,” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36690594/
“Amcor 2024 Sustainability Report,” https://downloads.ctfassets.net/f7tuyt85vtoa/1m1UOKoXwJPK8Gh2uaJJSO/3ab6b4c2c3ee6e3c3da5877e52b94ac0/Amcor_Sustainability_Report_2024_AW_12-11-2024__3_.pdf