Meet Parcel Health: Redefining Pharma Packaging for Sustainability - Founders Melinda Su-En Lee and Mallory Barrett
02/18/25 • 44 min
In episode 225 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Melinda Lee and Mallory Barrett, founders of Parcel Health, on creating pharmaceutical packaging solutions that protect people and preserve the planet.
Each Parcel Health package is crafted with compostable paper and protected with Parcel CoatTM, ensuring that medications remain safe while the packaging remains 100% recyclable and even food-safe.
Parcel Health’s mission is clear: to create pharmaceutical packaging solutions that protect people and preserve the planet.
Parcel Health is redefining the future of pharmaceutical packaging. Every product the company designs, patents, and manufactures seamlessly integrates safety, user experience, and sustainability.
The company acknowledges its role in every patient’s healthcare journey and strives to set new standards for the industry.
By combining industry expertise with an unwavering commitment to sustainability, Parcel Health creates pharmaceutical parcels that prioritize both patient safety and environmental responsibility.
Medication packaging should not come at the expense of the environment. Parcel Health is leading the charge in sustainable innovation with products that enhance safety while eliminating plastic waste.
The Founding Story
The company’s journey began with two individuals from opposite sides of the world, united by a shared passion for sustainability and healthcare innovation.
Melinda’s Journey
Growing up in Malaysia, Melinda Lee witnessed the devastating impact of plastic waste firsthand. Determined to make a difference, she pursued a degree in pharmacology at Stony Brook University, later working as a research assistant at Harvard University.
In 2017, Melinda entered the University of Michigan’s doctoral pharmacy program, where she was confronted with the environmental costs of patient care: millions of plastic pill bottles discarded into landfills and incinerators worldwide.
Recognizing that local healthcare waste had global consequences, she became determined to create a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic vials.
Mallory’s Journey
Meanwhile, Mallory Barrett, a student at North Carolina State University, was already rethinking pharmaceutical packaging.
In 2017, she won the prestigious Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge, developing a reusable pharmaceutical packaging concept called Rex.
Her victory in this global competition showcased her talent for sustainable innovation.
After graduation, Mallory gained hands-on experience in paper packaging manufacturing, quickly recognizing that the industry was resistant to change. Frustrated by the stagnation, she sought an opportunity to push the boundaries of sustainable packaging.
A Game-Changing Partnership
In October 2019, Mallory received a LinkedIn message that would change everything. It was from Melinda, who was searching for a like-minded innovator to tackle the plastic pill bottle crisis.
The timing was perfect. United by a common mission, Melinda and Mallory laid the foundation for Parcel Health, determined to fill medicine cabinets with sustainable parcels instead of plastic.
Parcel Health Today
Since its inception, Parcel Health has redefined pharmaceutical packaging, earning multiple awards and recognition, including an accolade from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Innovative Product Line
- Phill Box®: The first 100% compostable, paper-based medication container designed for pharmacies and patients seeking an eco-friendly alternative.
- Tully TubeTM: The world’s first paper pill bottle that is child-resistant, water-resistant, and insulating. Featuring Parcel CoatTM technology, Tully Tube maintains stable internal temperatures while ensuring durability and safety.
By prioritizing safety, convenience, and environmental impact, Parcel Health has created an entirely new standard for pharmaceutical packaging.
Award-Winning Innovation
Parcel Health has received numerous accolades, including:
- First-place in Siegle Impact Track
- Michigan Investment Challenge Winner
- OneMagnify Best in Business Award
- Top 10 Pittsburgh Startups Recognition
In episode 225 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Melinda Lee and Mallory Barrett, founders of Parcel Health, on creating pharmaceutical packaging solutions that protect people and preserve the planet.
Each Parcel Health package is crafted with compostable paper and protected with Parcel CoatTM, ensuring that medications remain safe while the packaging remains 100% recyclable and even food-safe.
Parcel Health’s mission is clear: to create pharmaceutical packaging solutions that protect people and preserve the planet.
Parcel Health is redefining the future of pharmaceutical packaging. Every product the company designs, patents, and manufactures seamlessly integrates safety, user experience, and sustainability.
The company acknowledges its role in every patient’s healthcare journey and strives to set new standards for the industry.
By combining industry expertise with an unwavering commitment to sustainability, Parcel Health creates pharmaceutical parcels that prioritize both patient safety and environmental responsibility.
Medication packaging should not come at the expense of the environment. Parcel Health is leading the charge in sustainable innovation with products that enhance safety while eliminating plastic waste.
The Founding Story
The company’s journey began with two individuals from opposite sides of the world, united by a shared passion for sustainability and healthcare innovation.
Melinda’s Journey
Growing up in Malaysia, Melinda Lee witnessed the devastating impact of plastic waste firsthand. Determined to make a difference, she pursued a degree in pharmacology at Stony Brook University, later working as a research assistant at Harvard University.
In 2017, Melinda entered the University of Michigan’s doctoral pharmacy program, where she was confronted with the environmental costs of patient care: millions of plastic pill bottles discarded into landfills and incinerators worldwide.
Recognizing that local healthcare waste had global consequences, she became determined to create a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic vials.
Mallory’s Journey
Meanwhile, Mallory Barrett, a student at North Carolina State University, was already rethinking pharmaceutical packaging.
In 2017, she won the prestigious Cradle to Cradle Product Design Challenge, developing a reusable pharmaceutical packaging concept called Rex.
Her victory in this global competition showcased her talent for sustainable innovation.
After graduation, Mallory gained hands-on experience in paper packaging manufacturing, quickly recognizing that the industry was resistant to change. Frustrated by the stagnation, she sought an opportunity to push the boundaries of sustainable packaging.
A Game-Changing Partnership
In October 2019, Mallory received a LinkedIn message that would change everything. It was from Melinda, who was searching for a like-minded innovator to tackle the plastic pill bottle crisis.
The timing was perfect. United by a common mission, Melinda and Mallory laid the foundation for Parcel Health, determined to fill medicine cabinets with sustainable parcels instead of plastic.
Parcel Health Today
Since its inception, Parcel Health has redefined pharmaceutical packaging, earning multiple awards and recognition, including an accolade from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Innovative Product Line
- Phill Box®: The first 100% compostable, paper-based medication container designed for pharmacies and patients seeking an eco-friendly alternative.
- Tully TubeTM: The world’s first paper pill bottle that is child-resistant, water-resistant, and insulating. Featuring Parcel CoatTM technology, Tully Tube maintains stable internal temperatures while ensuring durability and safety.
By prioritizing safety, convenience, and environmental impact, Parcel Health has created an entirely new standard for pharmaceutical packaging.
Award-Winning Innovation
Parcel Health has received numerous accolades, including:
- First-place in Siegle Impact Track
- Michigan Investment Challenge Winner
- OneMagnify Best in Business Award
- Top 10 Pittsburgh Startups Recognition
Previous Episode
Dr. Jeannie Annan PhD - Chief Research and Innovation Officer at International Rescue Committee and Co-founder of The Airbel Impact Lab
Dr. Jeannie Annan is the Senior Vice President and Chief Research and Innovation Officer at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations. The IRC responds to the worst humanitarian crises, helping people whose lives have been shattered by conflict, disaster, and persecution to survive, recover, and rebuild their futures. Operating in over 40 countries and in 28 U.S. cities, the IRC combines lifesaving support with long-term development strategies, impacting millions of lives each year.
Dr. Annan co-founded the Airbel Impact Lab, which serves as the IRC’s research and innovation arm. The Lab brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers, designers, behavioral scientists, and analysts who work hand-in-hand with frontline staff, technical experts, and partners to create high-impact, scalable solutions.
Airbel focuses on a range of critical areas, including health, education, gender equity, livelihoods, and climate resilience, and operates in more than 30 crisis-affected countries around the globe. As a core part of the IRC, Airbel’s innovative work is seamlessly integrated with the organization’s humanitarian operations, ensuring that research and new solutions directly address the needs of those on the frontlines of crises.
Dr. Annan’s own research has broken new ground in designing and testing interventions to address economic, behavioral, and mental health challenges, with a particular focus on preventing violence and supporting women and children affected by conflict and displacement. Her career began with on-the-ground leadership in education and psychosocial programming in Kosovo, northern Uganda, and South Sudan, providing her with deep insights into the realities of humanitarian work.
In addition to her leadership at the IRC, Dr. Annan is an Associate at the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts at the University of Chicago and a research affiliate at Innovations for Poverty Action. Her academic achievements include a PhD in Counseling Psychology and prestigious fellowships at Yale, NYU, and Harvard, where she has advanced her focus on forced displacement and violence prevention.
Today, we’ll explore how the IRC and Airbel Impact Lab are reshaping humanitarian response through research and innovation, Jeannie’s groundbreaking work in designing scalable interventions, and the critical importance of applying evidence-based solutions in crisis settings. This conversation will inspire and challenge you to think about how innovation can drive meaningful change in even the most complex environments.
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Next Episode
Transforming Healthcare Data: Aaron Neiderhiser, CEO and Co-Founder, of Tuva Health
In episode 226 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Aaron Neiderhiser, CEO and Co-Founder, of Tuva Health, on transforming healthcare data with an innovative open-source model.
By providing healthcare organizations with a robust and cost-effective solution, Tuva Health enables researchers, analysts, and engineers to streamline their data processes and extract critical insights with ease.
Tuva Health takes a novel approach to healthcare data with its Hybrid Data Platform, offering organizations the flexibility to build and control their data infrastructure without starting from scratch.
By leveraging Tuva’s open-source data model and data pipelines, users can efficiently transform claims and clinical data directly within their own data warehouses.
About Aaron Neiderhiser
Aaron has dedicated his career to advancing healthcare data science and strategy. Before founding Tuva Health, he served as Senior Vice President of Technology at Health Catalyst, where he led the development of Touchstone, a data warehouse encompassing medical records and claims data from over 150 million patients across the United States.
This infrastructure powered benchmarking, machine learning, and real-world evidence generation, giving Aaron a deep appreciation for the complexities of transforming healthcare data into actionable insights.
His journey in healthcare data began with Colorado Medicaid, where he focused on actuarial and population health analysis. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s comprehensive data strategy, setting the foundation for his future innovations in the industry.
----------------------------------------
Spotlighting impact startups, brands, and founders.
We feature social impact startups, conscious brands, and visionary founders shaping the future of business. Join thousands—subscribe to our weekly newsletter for exclusive interviews, the latest funding rounds, digital tool reviews, and curated products fueling the impact economy.
To learn more, please visit causeartist.com
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