Eco-Friendly, Green Graduation Options for Preschools Through College

Graduations are always a milestone as well as a new beginning. Graduation ceremonies once were only held for the completion of high school and college. Now, every May and June, we sit through pre-school graduations to first grade, grade school graduations to middle school and middle school graduations to high school. Last year, I attended 9 graduations and only 2 of them were for students over the age of 13!!

This year the number will nearly double. While I won't go into the absurdity of this, I will admit I cringe at what all of these ceremonies are doing to the planet! From all the so-called disposable gowns, to the wasted paper invitations, to the millions and millions of paper ware and plastic silverware that are used one time and then dumped. I am not alone in this concern as many schools have started holding green (or at least greener) and/or more eco-friendly graduation ceremonies. We can only hope this continues as this generation must start understanding the correlation between their actions and their future.

Here is my list of the best choices for an eco-friendly green graduation ceremonies and celebrations:

PRESCHOOL / KINDERGARTEN
Most preschool and kindergarten graduations are small. The last four I attended had a small dessert and coffee (punch) type reception following the ceremony.

Announcements and Programs
My suggestion would be to let the class make their own announcements on recycled paper. Each child really only invites their parents and grandparents with an occasional aunt/uncle or Godparents to their graduations. I have received one made by the individual child as well as a few that were made on the computer which the child colored in and added our name as well as theirs. Only one was on recycled paper which I think would have been a given. It would have been a great way to instill eco-friendly thinking as well as worked right into a green lesson plan.

The other option would be to simply save all paper and let the children call or use e- announcements to invite their guest to the graduations All programs should obviously be produced on recycled paper.