Dubuque- The cap and gown traditionally becomes a keepsake after high school or college graduation. But those items often end up in the back of a closet or in the trash.
It’s a rite of passage for these Clarke College seniors; getting fitted for that coveted cap and gown. But what do you do with them once the commencement ceremony commences?
Senior Ryan Burras said, “I have no idea actually. I will put it in a closet I guess and let it sit there.”

But if Burras and his other 250 classmates decide to just throw them away, they don’t have to feel bad about it sitting in a landfill forever. These caps and gowns are made from fabric that will eventually decompose.

Clarke’s Mike Cyze said, “They are made out of wood. The caps and gowns are actually made out of a wood based material.”

The big question is what happens if it rains on graduation day. The company says this actually takes about one year to disintegrate.

Cyze said, “They are actually proven to decompose when put in soil within a year so they completely decompose if you were to dispose of them.”

Clarke administrators says it’s part of the College’s mission to do everything they can to be green and sustainable.
Burras said, “Anything you can do nowadays to help out the environment is awesome.”

And for students who want to hang onto their memory after graduation day- the material will hold up fine in a closet.