Plastic Cups (50-Count, 16 oz)
50-count 16 oz polystyrene plastic cups. Solo is the most popular disposable cup brand in the US.
How scores are calculated
Materials (40%): How plastic-free the product is — raw materials, construction, and coatings.
Packaging (20%): Is the product packaged in plastic? Is it recyclable?
Transparency (20%): Does the brand disclose ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing?
Durability (20%): How long does it last? Longer-lasting products reduce plastic waste over time.
This is a rating of this specific product only — not the company. Other products from this brand may score differently.
Last updated: April 6, 2026
Food packaging is one of the most direct routes of plastic chemical exposure. BPA, BPS, phthalates, and PFAS migrate from packaging into food — especially with heat, acidity, or fat content.
Why We Rated It This Way
Solo cups are made from polystyrene — a plastic that leaches styrene (a probable human carcinogen) into beverages, especially hot drinks. Reusable cups or paper cups are safer alternatives.
Chemical & Health Analysis
Each chemical of concern is broken down below — what it is, where it comes from in this product, what it does to the body, and who is most at risk.
styrene
Polystyrene leaching styrene into beverages
Probable human carcinogen
All health claims are based on published, peer-reviewed research from the NIH, WHO, IARC, and peer-reviewed journals. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
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