Conn. College To Use 'Green' Graduation Gowns

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Graduating seniors at the University of New Haven will soon be tossing their mortarboards in the air - and their gowns in the recycling bin.

For the first time, this winter's graduates - who receive their degrees on Jan. 15 - are wearing robes that can be recycled.

The practice is becoming common at schools nationwide as an alternative to the petroleum-based polyester gowns that millions of students buy every year.

The University of New Haven's graduates' gowns will be made of an acetate material that decomposes in soil in one year. The zipper tapes and teeth are also made from recycled materials.

The manufacturer, Jostens, is giving $1 to causes supporting environmental sustainability for every student who goes online to redeem a code on the gowns' tags.

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