For graduates who want to leave a mark but not a carbon footprint, Harper College is offering biodegradable caps and gowns.

All 358 graduates will be wearing the "green" garments at Sunday's commencement. Among them will be Gladys Ljelu, who couldn't be happier to make a green statement with her blue cap and gown.

"This shows we think about a better environment for future generations, not just future jobs and pay," said Ljelu, 20, of Palatine.

The fabric, found to decompose in soil in one year, is made from fiber found in natural wood, officials said. Zippers are made of recycled plastic.

Other schools in the suburbs that will be using the gowns include Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, and Lake Forest College.

Previously, Harper rented gowns, but some students and faculty had concerns about chemicals used in the dry-cleaning process.

"The biodegradable gowns are more environmentally-friendly because we are not putting dry-cleaning chemicals into our water, so it's much more green," said Carl Dittburner, Harper professor and a member of the school committee that pitched the idea.

Other colleges, including the University of Chicago and Judson College in Elgin, are using gowns made fashioned from recycled bottles.

Although the ecologically responsible garments are available to high schools, most in the north and northwest suburbs, including Glenbrook High School District 225, Highland Park-based District 113, Palatine-based District 211 and Arlington Heights-based District 214, are sticking with the traditional look this year. District 60 in Waukegan is taking a different approach.

The school is collecting gently used graduation wear from recent graduates to offset the cost for low-income students. Although the idea came to the school's psychologist Pauline Williams after one student expressed concerns about graduation fees, the continuing program could eventually aid 61 percent of the schools' student body considered low-income.

"This is good for those challenged by current economic conditions," said Williams. "And from a psychological standpoint, walking the stage does wonders for one's self-esteem."

More than 20 gowns have been donated to Waukegan High, saving some the $30 gown fee.

The price tag on the Harper eco-friendly gowns, considered indistinguishable from traditional attire, comes in at $36.50, just $3 over 2009 costs.

Introduced last year, the biodegradable graduation gowns Harper is using were developed by Jostens, a Minneapolis-based firm specializing in graduation products.

The gowns were "designed based on feedback from students and educators and fills the primary need we heard that people would like to know that the fabric would decompose if discarded," said Jostens' Rich Stoebe.

Harper grad Gregory Ruffing, of Schaumburg, admits he is not a major environmental crusader but appreciates the earth-friendliness of the gowns. The 19-year-old is also pleased he won't have to return it after the ceremony.

"I'll have time to take photos in the cap and gown with the respect they bring," he said. "I'm the first person in my family to get a degree, so it's a big step and it will be nice to keep the gown as a memory."

Ljelu says her thoughts on graduation day will not be focused on the environment but rather on the new world she's about to tackle.

"I'll throw my cap, biodegradable or not, high in recognition of my accomplishments," she said.