USU’s CANRI wants to make graduation more sustainable and affordable

LOGAN— Graduating students are probably tired of being asked, “What’s next?” At a time that is both exciting and overwhelming for many, one decision facing college graduates is about to get a little easier: what to do with those regalia after graduation.

For some, the graduation gowns go into a closet, perhaps to be picked out in a few years for a sibling or graduate school — although the latter often means purchasing new regalia specific to the degree and institution. In many cases, however, graduation gowns end up on the racks of your local thrift store, or worse, in the local landfill.

USU’s Community and Natural Resources Institute (CANRI) is taking a decidedly more sustainable approach to this year’s ceremonies – and helping students in need – by recycling graduation gowns after students wear them.

Most students attending graduation ceremonies need to purchase their cap and gown, which is often a one-time investment for an outfit they will only wear once. This year’s basic bundle for undergraduate graduates costs about $50 and includes a cap, tassel and gown made of acetate and polyester. It may not seem like much, but when you throw in a sash, a masterful hood, and a diploma frame, the outfit starts to feel like a big investment compared to the few hours you spent on it.

CANRI Director Jessica Schad said the idea came from a meeting with university leadership where the issue of students being able to complete their degrees was raised.

“We discussed how both economically and environmentally unsustainable (it is) to use jackets once before they end up in the landfill or the back of a closet, and that there would be multiple benefits to reusing them,” Schad said.

University leadership agreed, and CANRI launched a campaign after this year’s ceremonies to recycle gowns – not only to keep them out of the landfill, but to get them into the hands of students who may be struggling to get the to pay the costs of buying their own coats.

CANRI has set up postgraduate gown drop-off locations in Old Main (room 338) and the Taggart Student Center (room 316A), and each gown collected will be recycled and given to a graduate ahead of next year’s celebration.

However, Schad did not want to keep students in need waiting. She asked the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, where CANRI is housed, to help purchase 100 gowns for undergraduate and graduate students, and participants are expected to pay for this by returning their regalia for future use.

“We quickly ran out of a hundred dresses,” Schad said. “We asked students to ask for it if they felt limited in being able to purchase it themselves. I think there are many other students who would have appreciated not having had these costs. That is why we hope to expand this in the future.”

By collecting gowns and passing them on to future graduates, Schad says CANRI hopes to provide economic benefits to students while making the short-term use of regalia more environmentally sustainable.

Because mortar boards are more difficult to clean and something students decide to keep – along with their brush – CANRI is currently only collecting coats.

All graduates wishing to participate are encouraged to visit the gathering locations in Old Main or the TSC before the end of May. CANRI will also have dumpsters available at the College of Humanities & Social Sciences graduation celebration in the USU Fieldhouse building following the university’s graduation ceremony on May 2. The waste bins will also be placed southeast of the Spectrum that same day. Those with questions can contact [email protected].