What to Do With Old Graduation Gowns: Recycling, Reuse & Donation Guide

Graduation gowns represent an important achievement, but what happens to them after commencement? Instead of leaving an old cap and gown in the back of a closet or throwing it away, graduates and schools have several options for giving used graduation regalia a second life.

Graduation gowns can often be reused, donated, repurposed, or sent to an appropriate textile recycling program, depending on their material and condition. The best option depends on what your gown is made from and whether it can still be worn.

Whether you’re a graduate wondering what to do with one gown or a school managing hundreds of used caps and gowns, this guide explains your options.

Can Graduation Gowns Be Recycled?

Yes, some graduation gowns can be recycled, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they belong in your household recycling bin.

Many graduation gowns are made with synthetic textiles such as polyester. Textile recycling is different from standard curbside recycling, and accepted materials vary between recycling programs.

Before recycling a graduation gown:

• Check the gown’s material or care label.
• Look for textile recycling programs in your community.
• Confirm that the program accepts the specific fabric.
• Remove non-textile components if the recycler requires it.
• Keep reusable gowns out of the waste stream whenever practical.

For a gown that’s still in good condition, reuse or donation may be a better first option than material recycling.

What Can You Do With an Old Graduation Gown?

There isn’t one correct way to dispose of old graduation regalia. Your best option depends on the condition of the gown and the resources available in your area.

1. Reuse Your Graduation Gown

Before recycling anything, consider whether the gown can simply be used again.

A well-maintained graduation gown may be useful for another ceremony when the style, color, size, and academic requirements are appropriate. Schools can also collect gowns after commencement and make qualifying regalia available to future graduates.

Reuse extends the useful life of a gown without requiring it to be processed into another material.

If you’re preparing for another ceremony and need degree-appropriate regalia, browse American Cap & Gown’s college and university graduation regalia.

2. Donate Your Graduation Gown

If you don’t expect to wear your gown again, consider donating it.

Depending on your community, potential options may include:

• Your school or university
• Campus sustainability programs
• Graduation gown lending programs
• Community organizations
• Local theater groups
• Students who need graduation attire

Some universities have established programs specifically to collect used graduation gowns and provide them to future students. A gown that no longer serves you could help another graduate participate in commencement while reducing the need to discard usable clothing.

Always contact an organization before donating to confirm that it currently accepts academic regalia.

3. Find a Textile Recycling Program

When a graduation gown is damaged, heavily worn, or otherwise unsuitable for reuse, textile recycling may be an option.

Search for local textile collection programs, clothing recyclers, municipal drop-off events, or other organizations that specifically accept the gown’s material.

Don’t automatically place an unwanted gown in a curbside recycling container. Local recycling rules differ, and textiles can require specialized processing.

4. Repurpose an Old Graduation Gown

A gown doesn’t necessarily have to remain a gown.

Depending on its material and your creativity, old graduation fabric can potentially be transformed into:

• Keepsake projects
• Memory quilts
• Costume materials
• Craft projects
• Decorative graduation displays

Repurposing can be particularly meaningful when you want to preserve part of your graduation attire without storing the entire gown.

5. Keep Your Graduation Gown as a Memento

Recycling isn’t the only responsible choice.

Graduation regalia represents years of work and an important milestone. If the gown has sentimental value, keeping it properly stored is completely reasonable.

Clean the gown according to its care instructions before storage, allow it to dry completely, and keep it somewhere protected from excessive moisture and direct sunlight.

You may also choose to keep smaller pieces of your regalia, such as your tassel or honor cords, while donating or recycling the gown itself.

Browse graduation accessories if you’re putting together your current commencement attire.

Can Schools Recycle Graduation Gowns?

Schools, colleges, and universities have an especially interesting opportunity because they deal with graduation regalia at scale.

Instead of approaching each gown individually, an institution can consider establishing a graduation gown collection, reuse, donation, or recycling program.

A basic program could involve:

1. Establishing collection points following commencement.
2. Asking graduates to voluntarily return unwanted regalia.
3. Sorting collected gowns by condition, size, style, and degree level.
4. Identifying gowns suitable for future reuse or donation.
5. Directing unusable textiles to an appropriate recycling program when available.
6. Keeping records to improve the program for future graduating classes.

Universities around the country have already experimented with graduation gown collection and reuse programs. These initiatives demonstrate that post-commencement gown collection can become part of a broader campus waste-reduction strategy.

For schools, the opportunity extends beyond sustainability. A reuse or lending program may also help make graduation attire more accessible to students who otherwise have difficulty obtaining required regalia.

Graduation Gown Reuse vs. Recycling: Which Is Better?

If a gown is still wearable and appropriate for another graduate, reuse is generally the most direct way to extend its useful life.

Think of the options as a simple hierarchy:

Reuse → Donate → Repurpose → Textile Recycling → Disposal

A clean, wearable gown still has value as graduation apparel. Recycling becomes more relevant when the garment can no longer serve its original purpose.

That distinction is important for schools building sustainability initiatives. A “graduation gown recycling program” doesn’t necessarily need to mean turning every gown into raw material. Collection programs can prioritize reuse first and material recycling where appropriate.

What About Graduation Caps, Tassels, Hoods & Honor Cords?

Graduation regalia includes more than gowns, and each component may require a different approach.

Graduation caps: Mortarboards can contain multiple materials, so check with a recycler before placing one in a textile collection.

Tassels: Many graduates keep their tassel as a small, easy-to-store memento of commencement.

Academic hoods: Hoods may be reusable when they remain in good condition and continue to match the applicable degree and academic requirements.

Honor cords and stoles: These are often closely tied to an individual’s achievements, organizations, or honors and are commonly kept as mementos. When appropriate, some may also be reusable or donatable.

Students preparing for commencement can explore graduation accessories, including caps, tassels, honor cords, hoods, and stoles.

How Schools Can Reduce Graduation Regalia Waste

Sustainable commencement planning can begin before graduation day.

Schools and graduation coordinators can consider:

• Choosing durable regalia where reuse is planned.
• Accurately estimating order quantities.
• Providing clear sizing guidance to reduce unnecessary exchanges.
• Establishing post-ceremony collection points.
• Communicating donation and reuse opportunities before commencement.
• Separating wearable regalia from materials destined for textile recycling.
• Maintaining an inventory of reusable gowns.
• Partnering with student organizations or sustainability departments.

The goal doesn’t have to be eliminating every piece of graduation-related waste. A practical program that keeps usable gowns in circulation can be a meaningful starting point.

Schools preparing for upcoming ceremonies can explore our featured graduation products and diploma covers when planning their graduation supplies.

Planning Graduation Regalia for Your School or Organization?

Graduation gown recycling and reuse begin with thoughtful planning. From selecting appropriate regalia to coordinating graduation supplies for an entire class, having the right products and guidance can make commencement preparation easier.

American Cap & Gown provides graduation caps, gowns, accessories, diploma covers, and academic regalia for schools, colleges, universities, organizations, and individual graduates.

Planning an upcoming graduation or have questions about your school’s regalia needs? Contact American Cap & Gown to discuss your graduation requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can you recycle graduation gowns?

Some graduation gowns can be recycled through textile recycling programs that accept their specific material. Do not assume a gown belongs in your household recycling bin. Check the garment’s material and your local textile recycling requirements first.

Where can I donate an old graduation gown?

Start by asking your school, college, or university whether it operates a gown collection, lending, reuse, or donation program. Community organizations and theater groups may also accept gowns, but always confirm their current donation policies before dropping anything off.

What should I do with my graduation cap and gown after graduation?

You can keep your cap and gown as a memento, reuse it when appropriate, donate wearable regalia, repurpose the material, or find a textile recycling program for items that can no longer be used.

Can graduation gowns be reused?

Yes. A graduation gown in good condition may be reusable when its size, color, style, and academic requirements are appropriate for another ceremony. Schools can also establish collection or lending programs that make suitable gowns available to future graduates.

Are graduation gowns made from recyclable material?

Graduation gown materials vary by manufacturer and product. Many are made with synthetic fabrics such as polyester, but whether a specific gown can be recycled depends on its construction and the textile recycling services available in your area. Check the garment label and recycler requirements before disposal.

Categorised in: Blog