UVA Health aims to reduce carbon footprint with paper pill bottles

At UVA Health, the iconic orange plastic pill bottle is getting a makeover. Some prescriptions are now being filled in a new, recyclable paper bottle. Made with 100% recyclable materials and a compostable paper core, the bottles, called Tully Tubes, debuted at some UVA Health pharmacies in April. They will eventually be available in all UVA Health pharmacy locations. The bottles are still child- and moisture-resistant.

“Traditional plastic vials can be difficult to recycle, but sustainable alternatives that maintain safety, quality and usability have been limited,” said (https://newsroom.uvahealth.com/2025/04/22/uva-health-pharmacy-paper-pill-bottles/) Carrie Kovacik, PharmD, manager of UVA Health’s ambulatory pharmacy supply chain. “These paper-based bottles offer a step forward in reducing our introduction of single-use plastics into our community.”

The paper bottles cost about the same to produce as traditional plastic bottles while generating about 30% less carbon. The reduction of UVA Health’s carbon footprint by switching entirely to paper bottles would be the equivalent of not driving more than 24,000 miles in a gas-powered vehicle.