Building a Sustainability Strategy for Solo Cup

Abstract

Solo Cup is a $1.6 billion international company that produces single-use, disposable, packaging options for the modern consumer. In 2009, Solo Cup created a Sustainability Department to enhance sustainability while supporting the company’s short- and long-term business objectives. Prior to the establishment of the department, sustainability initiatives were independently identified and pursued across the firm. In the fall of 2010, a Master’s Project group from the University of Michigan initiated a project with Solo Cup in order to develop short and long-term strategic sustainability goals for the organization. While Solo Cup strongly supports departmental ownership and pursuit of sustainability initiatives, the project sought to ensure these initiatives support the firm’s overall business objectives, have a demonstrable positive economic impact, and support the firm’s broader sustainability agenda. Furthermore, the project aims to integrate sustainability into the firm’s culture at both the organizational and individual levels. The student-led team worked extensively with both internal and external stakeholders to build a viable strategy for the company. The team considered both the short and long term priorities of the company in order to ensure the recommended sustainability strategy and goals would be appropriate for the company's business objectives, while allowing for quantifiable, measurable progress.