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Sustainability

Sustainable Graduation

Eco-friendly Photo Ideas

Interested in more eco-friendly alternatives for graduation photos? Well look no further: here are a few ideas to help get you started!

 

Bubbles

Though bubbles aren't exactly something you can toss in the air quite like confetti or flower petals, they can still add a cool, unique touch to your grad photos! There is a Pinterest board available for some awesome grad photos featuring bubbles you can check out for ideas.

Graduation photo of CSUSM student with bubbles in the background.

 

Hole-punched leaves or flower petals

These can be a great, inexpensive alternative to glitter! Not only do photos come out looking beautiful, but flowers and leaves come with the added bonus of being compostable once you are done with your photo op. Pinterest has a board for grad photo flower petal ideas that can be used as inspiration for leaves, as well! 

Hole-punched tree leaves in a container

 

Letter board, chalkboard, or picture frame

These can either be crafted, borrowed, thrifted, or purchased (to reuse, of course). Using any one of these can help put a more creative flair into your grad photos while omitting the need for plastic glitter. There are grad photo boards available on Pinterest for chalkboards, letter boards, and picture frames to help give you some inspiration if you need it!  

 

 Graduation photo of CSUSM student with letterboard.

 

Why care?

CSUSM has banned the use of glitter and confetti on our campus. These very popular options for graduation photos litters our campus, and soon ends up in our drains where it goes straight to the oceans. Our facilities team works hard on campus to prevent these items from entering our systems, but it is very difficult to do so. 

Graduation photos will always symbolize a special time in your life, and with sustainable graduation photos, it will symbolize a special time where you made the decision to show you care for something larger than yourself!

Rent a bubble machine

Want to use bubbles instead of confetti or glitter? We can help you with that! The Sustainability Program has a FREE bubble machine you can use for graduation pictures. 

Email: sustainability@csusm.edu with the following information to schedule a pick up/ drop off time to use the bubble machine:

  • Full Name
  • Student ID Number
  • Date of preferred pick up
  • Date of preferred drop off

Someone from the Sustainability Program will work with you on the details once a day is scheduled.