Student-led events save over 1,300 items from landfill
The Repair Fair resulted in the repair of over 120 items, while the Free & For Sale Frenzy saved over 1,200 articles of clothing from the landfill.
Student Sustainability Assistants at Carleton College hosted a double-header event April 14 that focused on reusing items instead of landfilling them. The Repair Fair resulted in the repair of over 120 items, while the Free & For Sale Frenzy saved over 1,200 articles of clothing from the landfill.
A Repair Fair is a matchmaking event that pairs broken items with volunteer “fixers” that attempt to mend, fix or diagnose issues with anything from bikes to clothing to lawnmowers. Over 17 community and student volunteers fixed items at the four-hour event. This event was sponsored by Carleton’s Sustainability Office and the generosity of volunteers’ time. Repairing services were free for students and community members.
The Free & For Sale Frenzy is a pop-up consignment shop organized by students for students to trade and sell unwanted clothing. This event is held three times each academic year to encourage reuse of clothing. The April 14 event saved over 1,200 articles of clothing from the landfill and raised hundreds of dollars that went back into students’ pockets. Leftover items were donated to the Lighten Up Garage Sale. Students dropped off items, and the sale was open to the public using Venmo transactions.
Sustainability Assistants Caroline Hall ‘20, Madeline Hagar ‘20 and Sara Wall ‘19 were responsible for planning and executing the two events. Over 50 student volunteers helped set up, greet guests and clean up after the event.
Follow the Sustainability Office on Facebook to keep up with other sustainability events. For more information, contact Sustainability Program Coordinator Alex Miller or visit the Sustainability Office website.