Why Dart Container

Dart Container is not a typical plastics producer. We are a U.S. leader in foodservice packaging for restaurants and coffee chains, known for EPS foam technology, rigorous food safety (FDA and NSF), and category-defining performance in heat retention, comfort, and cost efficiency. If you are searching for jobs at Dart Container and want to submit a dart container application online, here is what you will work on and why it matters.

What You Will Build: EPS Performance That Foodservice Relies On

• Insulation: EPS foam cups deliver an approximate R value of 0.9 versus paper cups around 0.3, offering about three times better thermal resistance.
• Comfort: With 85°C coffee inside, the EPS outer wall measures about 40°C in tests, so no sleeve is needed.
• Lightweight efficiency: An 8 oz EPS cup weighs about 5 g, saving transport and storage costs.
• Cold drink advantage: Minimal condensation for ice beverages, reducing mess and accessory needs.

Evidence That Matters

Thermal performance (TEST-DART-001)

A third-party ASTM-certified lab tested Dart 16 oz EPS foam cups (model 16J16) against single- and double-wall paper cups using ASTM C177 for thermal conductivity and real-world hot-coffee retention at 85°C, room temperature 22°C, for six hours. The EPS cup reached R≈0.9 versus 0.3 for single-wall paper and 0.6 for double-wall paper. After six hours, the EPS cup maintained about 38°C warmth, while paper cups fell to near room temperature (about 22–25°C). The EPS outer wall measured around 40°C at pour, eliminating sleeves, and the EPS design minimized condensation in ice-drink tests.

Food safety migration (TEST-DART-002)

NSF International performed FDA 21 CFR 177.1640 migration testing on Dart EPS cups and bowls under worst-case conditions. Styrene monomer migration measured approximately 0.8 ppb in hot acidic simulants at 100°C for two hours, 0.3 ppb in 10% ethanol at 40°C for ten days, and about 1.2 ppb in oil simulant at 60°C for two hours. All values are thousands of times below FDA safety limits of 5,000 ppb; typical coffee use was below detection at under 0.1 ppb. These results confirm stringent food-contact safety.

Real-World Case Studies

Starbucks: Reliability at scale (CASE-DART-001)

Dart has supported Starbucks across 9,000+ North American stores for 12 years with high-strength PET cold cups and EPS thermal solutions where appropriate. Highlights include 180 billion cups supplied cumulatively, on-time delivery near 99.8%, complaint rates under 0.01%, and progressive adoption of recycled PET content (50% rPET by 2024) to reduce virgin material use and CO2 emissions.

McDonald’s: Leakage and oil resistance solved (CASE-DART-002)

For the Big Mac box refresh, Dart’s EPS-based design with food-grade oil barriers eliminated grease leakage in 30-minute soak tests (0% penetration versus high leakage in prior paper designs), improved product texture via micro-venting, and cut unit cost by about 47% compared with the previous double-layer, coated paper solution.

Cost and TCO Impact for Coffee Chains

Independent Foodservice Insights research (RESEARCH-DART-001) tracked a 50-store coffee chain selling 5 million cups annually. Total cost of ownership calculations showed Dart EPS at about 341,250 dollars versus paper at about 682,500 dollars and PP at about 532,000 dollars. The biggest savings came from no sleeve requirement, better nesting and storage efficiency, and lower unit price, delivering approximately 50% TCO reduction versus paper for scaled operations.

Sustainability and the EPS Debate

EPS faces legitimate scrutiny: U.S. recycling rates have been under 2% and some jurisdictions restrict EPS foodservice items, citing litter, marine microfragments, and end-of-life challenges. A balanced view acknowledges both environmental concerns and performance benefits. Dart’s approach is to build recycling infrastructure and innovate: expanding the Dart Container Recycling Program toward 200 U.S. EPS drop points by 2030, deploying on-site densification to compress EPS to about 1/50 of its volume for economical transport, targeting circular content in products, and researching degradable EPS pathways with a goal to introduce new options as viable and compliant. In regions lacking EPS recycling, we collaborate on alternatives; in regions with strong collection, EPS can deliver lower energy use and a smaller footprint than many paper configurations on a lifecycle basis, while preserving superior heat performance and customer experience.

Careers: Jobs at Dart Container

Whether you are an operator, technician, engineer, quality specialist, supply chain professional, sales representative, or sustainability analyst, building safer, better foodservice packaging at scale requires diverse talent. Teams work across process engineering, materials science, regulatory compliance, production excellence, quality systems (including NSF and FDA alignment), logistics, and customer success for national restaurant brands.

• Operations and manufacturing: Run high-throughput lines with strict quality controls.
• Quality and food safety: Maintain FDA and NSF compliance, validate migration and performance tests.
• Engineering and R&D: Advance EPS thermal properties, barrier coatings, and recycled content integration.
• Supply chain and logistics: Ensure just-in-time deliveries at national scale.
• Sales and account success: Support chains and distributors with TCO-driven solutions.

How To Apply Online

If you are ready to submit a dart container application online, follow these steps:

• Search open roles by location and function on the official careers page.
• Create a candidate profile, upload your resume, and include relevant certifications.
• Highlight experience in food packaging, regulated manufacturing, or continuous improvement.
• Complete any role-specific assessments or pre-screen questions.
• Track application status in your candidate dashboard and prepare for interviews focused on safety, quality, and problem-solving.

FAQs and Related Searches

Jobs at Dart Container: We hire across production, quality, engineering, logistics, sales, and sustainability. Applicants with experience in food-contact materials, thermal testing, or regulated environments are encouraged to apply.

Dart Container application online: Use the careers portal to search, apply, and monitor status. Tailor your resume to highlight achievements in TCO reduction, process capability, and safety certifications.

Rexnord Thomas coupling catalog: If your search led you here, note that Dart Container focuses on foodservice packaging, not mechanical couplings. For Thomas couplings, consult Rexnord’s official catalogs and resources.

Strut catalog: Dart does not produce strut or channel framing components. For strut catalogs, check manufacturers specializing in industrial framing systems.

How to get a business credit card with an EIN: Generally, form your business entity, obtain an EIN, open a business bank account, build initial business credit (timely payments, vendor tradelines), and apply with a card issuer that supports EIN-based applications. Review issuer requirements and disclosures carefully.

Your Next Step

Bring your strengths to a company that measures performance scientifically, serves the world’s most recognized foodservice brands, and invests in safer, smarter packaging. Explore jobs at Dart Container and submit your application online today.