'Pop' and Circumstance: Rutgers-Camden's Class of 2010 Dons Regalia Made of Recycled Bottles

Those countless soda bottles that caffeinated students through finals have united to offer their own graduation gift to

On Monday, May 24, hundreds of soon-to-be graduates will celebrate their proudest Scarlet moment in ‘green’ graduation gowns. Herff Jones, the company who sells the eco-graduation gear, created the new and improved classic black gown with “Renew Fabric,” generated through post-consumer plastic bottles.  Based in Indianapolis, Herff Jones also practices paperless billing and ships all of its graduation regalia in recycled or recyclable products to minimize waste.

Not only is this a smart buy for the environment, Camden University Bookstore General Merchandiser Tina Aquilino says the recycled gowns even look better than the non-recycled options.

“They actually wrinkle less,” Aquilino offers. “I never thought they could do that with plastic bottles, but doing what you can for the environment, where you can is definitely a growing trend.”

Rutgers–Camden student environmentalist Stella Bonaparte of Collingswood will walk easier at the Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony, knowing her first day as a Rutgers–Camden alumna is more eco-friendly than expected.

“At first I was wary of the waste of purchasing a garment that would only be worn once, because when I buy clothes I try to find things that are going to last,” remarks the urban studies major. “I think this change to recycled fabric is really emblematic of the way Rutgers–Camden is looking at every aspect of the university and asking the question: ‘How can we make this sustainable?’” adds Bonaparte, who was selected to serve on the Campus’ Sustainability Cabinet.

Dontay Benson, a senior finance major, echoes the accolades for the green buy. "It's a plus. Our society is becoming more eco-friendly, so it's definitely a good move," says Benson, who serves as a text coordinator at the bookstore and will also walk at commencement in the recycled regalia.

Graduates earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rutgers–Camden will be wearing the Renew gowns during commencement ceremonies for the School of Business—Camden at 9 a.m. and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at 6 p.m., both will be held at the Susquehanna Bank Center on the Camden Waterfront.