myCSUSM
Sustainable Graduation
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!
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!
Check out this Pinterest board for some awesome grad photos featuring bubbles!
Want to use bubbles? We can help!
The Sustainability Program has a FREE bubble machine you can use for graduation pictures!
Fill out this form with your full name, student ID number, preferred pick up date, and preferred drop off date to schedule a time to use the bubble machine.
Someone from the Sustainability Program will work with you on the details once a day is scheduled.
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!
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!
