A Barry University student models what the 27 plastic bottles look like that were used to create the fabric in each graduation gown.(Click here for high-res image)
MIAMI, FL (April 18, 2015) - Commencement is about the start of something new for the hundreds of students who graduate each year from Barry University. This year, Barry’s class of more than 600 undergraduates will find a little something old in their new graduation regalia: the material used to make each graduation gown will be made using 27 recycled plastic bottles.
As the first university in Miami to begin using eco-friendly gowns, Barry looks to make this a new tradition. The gowns will have a new design and each eco-friendly gown reduces the amount of plastic in landfills. Currently, Americans use about 50 billion plastic water bottles each year but only 23 percent are recycled; which means 38 billion water bottles are wasted each year.
“Our university president, Sister Linda Bevilacqua, saw that manufacturers could use recycled materials to make graduation gowns and instantly thought that this would be perfectly in-line with Barry University’s mission,” said M. Eileen McDonough, EdD, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. “We are always looking for new ways to conserve and are proud to take on this new initiative during our 75th anniversary year. Each gown gives back to the environment and introduces another avenue for sustainability.”
This year, Barry University’s commencement will take place on May 7. There will be a total of 1,156 students graduating with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the university’s seven colleges and schools.