Now accepting applications to work with Lighten Up.
Hours available May 27-June 28.
Each spring students donate unneeded items during move-out to the “Lighten Up!” sale. Lighten Up! is Carleton’s zero waste student move out program where students donate a variety of items including; clothing, furniture, household items, bedding, books, sports equipment and more. Student workers are essential in the collection of the donated items. Student workers are responsible for collecting donated items from Pod containers and do occasional sweeps of the residence halls for donated items. The items are loaded into vans and hauled across campus to the location of the Lighten Up sale. Students will assist with the set up, sorting, and clean up of the sale. Students will work hands-on in teams of 2-3 with the Lighten Up sales manager, Custodial Services, CCCE, and volunteers working the sale.
Questions: Contact Rilke Grimlund ’26 with questions about Lighten Up donations and opportunities
Lighten Up manages 2.5% of Carleton’s total waste stream by diverting 23 tons of student materials from the landfill. Proceeds from the sale support community partners. The 2023 Lighten Up Sale raised funds and resources for Northfield Union of Youth, Project Friendship, Special Olympics, Growing Up Healthy and Operation Backpack.
Each Spring Carleton College students donate unneeded items to the Lighten Up Garage Sale. The proceeds provide essential funds for community non-profits and also serves as an excellent lesson in “green” living and waste management.
Lighten Up Community Sale Dates June 2024 at Carleton’s Laird Stadium
Thursday June 20: 7:30am to 3pm
Friday June 21: 7:30am to 3pm
Saturday June 22: 7:30am to 12pm (Bag sale day)
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can I donate?
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Shoes
- Kitchen cookware
- Fridges
- TVs and electronics
- Books
- Household items, decorations, games
- Fans, lamps, small appliances
- Small furniture
- Sports gear
- Anything in good condition
What can I do with items I can’t donate?
Items such as pillows and mattress toppers can be placed in the dumpsters.
Where and when can I donate?
Pods, large storage containers, will be placed around campus near the dorms. Pods will be available and open for donations from May 31 to June 10.
What is Dorm Storm?
During 10th week of spring term, the CCCE and the Sustainability Office provide each student a garbage bag to fill with donations. Garbage bags and informational flyers will be taped to your dorm doors.
Can I shop at the sale?
Yes! We welcome Carleton students to shop at the stadium. We have free items and use a pay what you want system for students.
Friday June 7th is senior day.
For 2024 the community sale dates at Carleton’s Laird Stadium
- Thursday June 20: 7am to 4pm
- Friday June 21: 8am to 6pm
- Saturday June 22: 8am to 2pm (Bag sale day)
The sale happens during summer break, but there are a number of other shopping opportunities for students. Watch for pop-up sales to shop throughout the academic year (New Student Week, Senior Week, Halloween, Reunion, and more!)
What happens to unsold items?
At the end of the sale, local end-sale vendors come in to reuse the remaining items. Local high school thrift shops reuse the clothes, quilters reuse the bedding, local crafters also reuse clothing, E-waste and metals are recycled, and the remaining items go to nonprofits like the Epilepsy Foundation and Disabled Veterans.
What is the mission of Lighten Up?
Lighten Up is a community-focused event with the dual purpose of waste diversion and supporting the local community.
The proceeds provide essential funds for community non-profits and also serve as an excellent lesson in “green” living and waste management. The 2023 Lighten Up Sale raised funds and resources for Northfield Union of Youth, Project Friendship, Special Olympics, Growing Up Healthy and Operation Backpack. We couldn’t do the sale without the hard work and dedication of our community volunteers. Each community partner provides 30 hours of volunteer work each day for the three weeks prior to the sale.
In addition to the community benefits, Lighten Up helps Carleton move towards its sustainability goals. Lighten Up manages 2.5% of Carleton’s total waste stream by diverting 30 tons of student materials from the landfill.