LEWISTON – Bates College will hold its fourth annual sale of furnishings and other goods donated by students this weekend on the college campus.

Clean Sweep will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Underhill Arena, 145 Russell St.

Bates is one of a growing number of colleges and universities nationwide that benefit both the environment and local nonprofit organizations by selling CDs, sports equipment, electronics, household goods and myriad other things donated by departing students.

“This project is a win-win situation,” said Clean Sweep organizer Ryan Conrad, who just finished his junior year at Bates.

The environment benefits because these discarded possessions, however useful and desirable, would otherwise go into the waste stream.

Local organizations, which supply volunteer workers for the sale, benefit in turn by receiving a share of the proceeds. Participants in this year’s sale include Androscoggin Head Start; the Justice, Ecology and Democracy Center of Greene; the Maine Independent Media Center; the Many and One Coalition; and Hilltop Community Garden.

Last year’s event raised about $10,000 for participating nonprofit groups.

For 2004, organizers have allowed more time between the collection of possessions and the sale, making for improved sorting, presentation and pricing. “This year’s sale should be better, less stressful and more organized than any prior year,” Conrad said.

More information may be obtained by calling 207-786-6468 or by e-mailing Ryan Conrad, Clean Sweep organizer, at [email protected]