As part of Carleton University’s sustainability week, the Sprott School of Business hosted Sprott Shares, an event aimed at redistributing gently used goods and clothing to students for free.
Hosted on March 20, the initiative was part of a series of environmentally conscious events throughout the week, including Meatless Monday and Clean Commuter Tuesday.
Carleton students sifted through a wide range of items, including kitchenware, books and clothing. While promoting environmental sustainability, the initiative also provided financial relief to students struggling with the high cost of living.
Tasnimah Ali, a second-year humanities student at Carleton, said the event was an ideal way for students living on their own for the first time to acquire household essentials for free.
“It’s a lot of free things, and we’re all broke, so it’s really good,” Ali said. Many thrift stores “have also upped their prices recently,” meaning they may no longer be an affordable option.
Leighann Neilson, an associate professor of marketing at Sprott, said the initiative aligns with the business school’s values and broader sustainability goals.
“The whole thing is to help people,” she said. “And it’s great because why should we be putting this stuff in the landfill?”
The event was created in 2023 after Neilson, who is also the academic director for Sprott’s PhD program, noticed the financial struggles international graduate students face.
“Events like this are what make the university experience unique and keep the campus alive,” Tkachuk said.
Tkachuk said initiatives like Sprott Shares help students understand sustainability beyond theory.
“It’s not just about giving students free stuff — it’s about giving students real-world experience in sustainability and social impact.”
The event ties into ongoing research efforts, where Neilson said only a “few faculty do research on sustainability.”
Neilson said she hopes to expand Sprott Shares in the future, but the logistical challenge is securing storage space to keep items for future events.
Another goal is to establish a free store on campus where students can drop off and pick up items as needed. Neilson said this would help with sustainability and education costs.
Tkachuk said that while the event was a success, its popularity also highlights a concerning trend in the cost of living.
“I’d rather students just have the money and live their lives without being stressed and looking for free stuff,” he said. “But if they do need it, I’m here and I’m ready to help.”
Featured Image by Lazourd Alnashed/the Charlatan.
