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In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the average commencement ceremony, several U.S. colleges and universities are now providing their graduates with eco-friendly caps and gowns.

Salem, Va.-based Oak Hall Cap & Gown first introduced its GreenWeaver line of gowns and caps back in 2009--each gown is made in Virginia out of fabric spun from an average of 23 post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. The company initially tried using a mix of bamboo and polyester, but settled on recycled bottles, which are already used to make sweatshirts and other clothing.

"College students and campuses are at the forefront of environmental conscience and green habits," Oak Hall executive vice president Joseph D'Angelo said in a press release at the time. "When we started seeing such campus trends as biodegradable utensils, we felt developing an environmentally friendly gown was the right thing to do for students, colleges and universities and our planet."

At Florida International University's commencement last month, nearly 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students wore GreenWeaver gowns. "This is an innovative way to show our commitment to sustainability and make an impact given the size of our graduating classes," Provost Douglas Wartzok said in a statement.

And at this year's commencement at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., approximately 1,200 graduates wore GreenWeaver gowns, the programs were printed on recycled paper, and extra recycling bins were set up around campus for students and guests to use.

"Our students have been very active in efforts that promote sustainability and an environmentally sustainable university. … We are proud that our students are carrying their passion forward as they enter the next stages of their lives," University of the Pacific Provost Maria Pallavicini said in a statement.

USA Today's Wendy Koch reports that a total of more than 250 institutions ordered GreenWeaver caps and gowns this year, up from 60 in 2010, according to company vice president Donna Hodges--and several other companies, including Minneapolis-based Jostens and Omaha-based Willsie Cap and Gown, offer similar options. Jostens' Elements Collection is made using wood fiber sourced from renewable managed forests, and the greengown from Willsie is made from recycled PET plastic. "Sales are up 300 percent from a year ago, says [Willsie's] Steve Killen," Koch writes.

For related news and other information from Schools.com, see:

• Department of Education announces Green Ribbon Schools award

• Princeton Review, USGBC publish second annual guide to green colleges

• Green Building: Helping Career and Community

• Five paths to a career-focused college education