Regent U. grads to don gowns from recycled bottles

VIRGINIA BEACH

Maggie Fernandez held her black Regent University graduation gown in the air and inspected it.

It looked normal. So Fernandez was surprised when she learned it had been made from 23 discarded plastic bottles.

"It's good for the environment," she said. "I did not know they could do that. I'm very happy with it."

Fernandez is one of about 780 Regent graduates who will receive their diplomas today while wearing "green" gowns.

The 2,400 graduates at Old Dominion University also will wear "green" graduation attire at their ceremony today. Grads first wore the recycled caps and gowns during last semester's graduation.

ODU spokeswoman Susan Malandrino said students like the idea of environmentally friendly pomp and circumstance. They have the option to rent or buy the gowns, the only ones the university offers. They were a couple dollars more than traditional polyester gowns, but officials haven't heard any complaints about the price difference.

Several companies make the earth-friendly graduation wear. The process for Salem-based Oak Hall Cap & Gown starts when labels and caps are removed from plastic bottles, according to marketing materials. The bottles are chopped into fragments called "flakes," which are melted and solidified into pellets called "chips." The chips are melted again and extruded into filament yarn, which is woven, dyed and finished.

Virginia Wesleyan College senior Nina Ruiz said the idea of wearing "green" graduation attire was suggested by the faculty. As Student Government Association president, she polled 150 of her peers about the option, and the majority of them said they'd be interested in the idea of the sustainable clothing. College spokeswoman Laynee H. Timlin said 255 graduates will don the "green" gowns May 14.

Ruiz said there is one caveat to the "green" gowns: they're thinner than the traditional polyester robes. She wanted to wear a bright dress but wasn't sure whether it would show through.

"I think it's great that it's green," said Ruiz, 22. "I'm all for recycling and saving."

Last month, Virginia Wesleyan was recognized for its "green" initiatives by The Princeton Review.

Regent University President Carlos Campo said campus officials didn't want to miss the opportunity for students to wear the environmentally friendly attire.

Students were excited about the prospect because "young Christians understand that we have to be good stewards of the environment," Campo said.

Also, the clothes would align with other "green" initiatives the school has been practicing, like using shuttles for students and less energy during peak times.

"It's been great for us," Campo said. "Our green initiatives have picked up steam. It's all a part of our overall strategy."

Jennifer Jiggetts, (757) 222-5150, jennifer.jiggetts@pilotonline.com