The latest trend in graduation gowns is green — that is, robes that are environmentally friendly. But there’s one problem with them …  Some of these “green” gowns biodegrade quickly, and they can only be worn once.

But that’s not stopping Lafayette College from going the environmental route.

The college has 650 gowns on order for graduation ceremonies this May. These are made from acetate fibers that come from wood — and they decompose completely within a year of being buried in soil.

At Lehigh University, going green for graduation means offering sturdy gabardine robes, which can be used for about seven years. When they gowns need cleaning, they’re sent to an environmentally friendly cleaner.

Yet another option, which the University of Pennsylvania is following,  is commencement gowns made from recycled plastic water bottles.

Is your school going green for graduation? Let us know in the comments section below.

Tags: environmental graduation gowns, Lafayette College, Lehigh University