When Stanislaus State’s Class of 2022 gathers for Commencement ceremonies in May, graduates will be wearing sustainable caps and gowns produced entirely in the United States.
Called GreenWeaver, the sustainable regalia is made from 100-percent post-consumer plastic bottles and shipped in recycled cardboard boxes by the manufacturer, Oak Hall of Virginia.
“That is awesome,” said Destiny Suarez, president of the student-run Eco Warriors sustainability awareness group, upon hearing about the sustainable regalia. “Sustainability is so important to the future of our planet. I am so glad we are doing all we can to make Commencement sustainable.”
Stan State will hold four in-person ceremonies for the Class of 2022 on Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27. Students who plan to participate must register and purchase regalia online before 5 p.m. Friday, April 15.
Graduating students can visit Grad Fair at the University Bookstore April 5, 6 or 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for all their graduation needs. Many items including regalia, diploma frames, rings and announcements will be available for purchase.
"Sustainability is so important to the future of our planet. I am so glad we are doing all we can to make commencement sustainable.”
~Destiny Suarez, Eco Warriors President
According to the GreenWeaver regalia product description, an average of 23 plastic bottles goes into the construction of just one gown. In the recycling process, the bottles are broken down into flakes and processed into small pellets which are later melted and extruded into a continuous filament yarn. The yarn is then woven, dyed and finished into a fabric that is softer to the touch than traditional polyester, lightweight, wrinkle-resistant and recyclable.
The yoke of each gown is reinforced with a biodegradable fabric and tags have been replaced with soy ink printing inside the back yoke. After manufacturing, the gowns are packed and shipped in recycled cardboard boxes.
In addition to keeping plastic bottles out of landfills, the manufacturer says making fabric for GreenWeaver regalia reduces carbon dioxide gas emissions by 54.6 percent compared to the process used to make virgin polyester fabric.
Calling the regalia “a wonderful way to make Commencement more sustainable,” Stan State Sustainability Coordinator Wendy Olmstead said she sees it as a first step in offering students a range of sustainable options for their regalia in the future.
“I hope that we can build on this in the future by leasing gowns to reduce their manufacture and associated greenhouse gas emissions,” she said. “Or by creating a gown exchange where students can donate gowns and others can purchase them at low cost. That also brings a social justice lens to Commencement because it makes celebrating graduation more affordable for all.”