Willsie Recycles Greengowns

Willsie Recycles Greengowns
Steven Killen, vice president of sales and marketing for Willsie Cap & Gown Company, reported that the company has taken eco-friendly a step further than the competition with its greengown recycling program.
“Our program is deeper than all of the other cap and gown programs out there because we allow students to return their gowns to us, which we then reuse or recycle,” he said. “There are other companies selling gowns made from recycled polyester out there now, but they don’t address the issue of students throwing their gowns away, or leaving them un-used in their closets. We encourage the students to return their gowns to us so that we can recycle that fabric again, or find another use for it.”
The company launched the greengown—and trademarked the name—in January 2009, making it the first graduation cap and gown to be made from 100 percent recycled PET plastic bottles. It is available in shades of black, blue, green and white.
The University of Minnesota was the first major University to adopt the greengown, and will be using it for their December 2009 graduation. “The University of Minnesota has always been a leader in innovation for graduation and graduation promotions,” Killen remarked.
“They have one of the most successful graduation affairs in the whole country, called ‘Grad Fest,’ which is well-marketed and well-attended. To have them select the greengown is very big deal for Willsie.”
He added that several other major universities “who are interested in initiatives for green graduation” have adopted the greengown.
During 2010, the company plans to expand its greengown sizing to accommodating kindergarten through graduate school students. According to Killen; “Kindergarten is our fastest growing market.
“That market has really opened up in recent years.”
Based in Omaha, Neb. Willsie is only cap and gown company nationwide still manufacturing its products in the United States, according to Killen. For further information, call (800) 234-4696.                                                        — A.T.