SOLO
Plastic party cups, plates and bowls made in the USA with US and globally sourced materials, by a Dart Container brand.
✓ American Manufacturing
Our assessment
Company details
Where SOLO products are made
SOLO’s product information page: “Made in the USA using globally sourced materials.”
Its party cup and paper plate pages read “Made in the USA with US & Global Materials.”
“SOLO is a beloved brand line within Dart Container Corporation.” Plant locations are not published on solocup.com.
What this emblem covers. SOLO states that its party cups, plates and bowls are made in the USA with US and globally sourced materials, and the emblem reflects that qualified claim. It does not cover the foodservice hot cups, cold cups and portion cups sold under the Solo name, whose origin we did not verify. SOLO does not publish which plants make its products.
The story
SOLO dates to 1936, when Leo Hulseman founded the SOLO Cup Company making paper cone cups.
In the 1970s the Hulseman family added plastic cups, originally in red, blue, yellow and peach, and the plastic SOLO Cup was patented in 1976. The red one became a fixture of American parties.
In 2012 SOLO Cup Company was purchased by Dart Container Corporation of Mason, Michigan, and SOLO continues as a brand line within Dart.
Why they matter
Disposable tableware is sold on price, and origin rarely makes the label. SOLO puts it on the label.
Its wording is also careful — made in the USA with US and global materials — which is the kind of qualified, checkable statement buyers should expect.
Shop SOLO products
SOLO cups and tableware, in the Buy American Campaign store.
SOLO questions
Are SOLO cups made in the USA?
SOLO says its party cups, plates and bowls are made in the USA using globally sourced materials.
Who owns SOLO?
Dart Container Corporation, which bought SOLO Cup Company in 2012.
When was SOLO founded?
In 1936, by Leo Hulseman.
Where are SOLO products made?
In the United States, according to SOLO. It does not publish which plants make which products.