The Spartan Spirit Store website boasts that each cap and gown is made from 23 to 27 complete bottles, are softer to touch compared to traditional polyester and are wrinkle resistant.

These styles have been the standard since 2016, said Molly Chrome, retail manager of the Spartan Spirit Shop in the MSU Union. While the Spartan Spirit Shop has been the official supplier of caps and gowns for over 25 years, the eco-friendly switch was made nine years ago, when they began working with the company Oak Hall Cap and Gown.

“One of the drivers for selecting them as a vendor was that they made some of their regalia out of recycled plastic,” Chrome said.

Both Oak Hall and MSU have shown systematic commitments to sustainability. MSU is ranked in the top 25 universities globally for sustainability by Times Higher Education, and hosts regular programs and projects with goals of recycling and reducing waste. Oak Hall provides the university with gowns in their DreamWeaver style, their first eco-friendly product, and states on their website that “college students are at the forefront of sustainable initiatives.” 

This alignment of values reassured master’s of student affairs administration graduate Kennedy Robinson when purchasing her second set of graduation regalia this spring. Initially, she was turned away by the “cheap” polyester, but when she learned it was made of recycled materials, she was impressed.

“Every little thing counts,” Robinson said. “This is definitely a step in the right direction.”

She added that this is “on-brand” for MSU, as she feels there’s a strong recycling culture. Robinson wasn't particularly shocked about the practice, but was surprised that she did not know about it sooner.

Master’s graduate of environmental design Alice Finlan said the use of eco-friendly gowns reflects her own values, but she also wishes it were better emphasized to students.

“Especially with degrees (like) ours, where we are so environmentally conscious,” Finlan said. “To know that something we’re required to purchase aligns with what we’re trying to do, it’s really nice.”

After their commencement ceremonies, many students do not have plans for their graduation attire. Some donate it to friends or family, while others let it sit in their closet as a keepsake or for a lack of purpose. 

“I think I'll keep mine,” finance senior Graham Vann Hull said. “I just plan to hold on to it for memories.” 

Chrome said students have choices. Gowns can be washed and reused, or repurposed into decoration or carpet. She said one of the less popular alternatives is to be returned to the Spartan Spirit Shop for recycling. 

“We don't get a lot of caps and gowns returned for repurpose,” Chrome said. “But we do offer this.”

Despite these options remaining eco-friendly, Robinson said the required costs make it hard for her to justify donating her gown after a single use. If there were an incentive to return them, students might be more inclined, Robinson said.

“If there was a credit to the Spirit Shop, I would donate it, because they’re expensive,” Robinson said. “Otherwise, that’s essentially free money going back to the university.”