Plogging – Running And Picking Up Trash As A Workout

Have you heard of the trend sport of plogging? Jogging in combination with litter picking is becoming increasingly popular! And for good health and environmental reasons. It keeps you fit and makes our environment cleaner. And it's also really easy to do.

In this article, I would like to introduce you to the new sustainable sport and show you how easy it is to combine running with litter picking. Let's go!

Here is a brief overview for you:

1. Definition
2. Advantages
3. Here's how
4. Closing words

Tip: Not only in everyday sporting life, but also when traveling, you can actively ensure that waste gradually disappears from our environment. Do a CleanUp on the beach for example or support organizations on vacation collecting garbage.

Definition: What exactly is plogging?

Plogging refers to an outdoor sport, in which people go running equipped with gloves and a garbage bag to collect garbage from the environment and return it to the recycling loop.

Enthusiasm for the trend sport developed in Sweden in 2016. The Swedish environmental activist and outdoor sportsman Erik Ahlström is regarded as the initiator. Plogging quickly became popular in many other countries too.

The name of the sport is simply derived from the words "jogging" and "Plocka". The latter means "to collect" in Swedish.

Notice: Not only jogging can collect garbage! That is why also similar sounding sports developed from hiking, walking/walking and cycling. They are simply called pliking, plalking and plycling.

Advantages: Why is plogging so popular?

The nature sport of plogging brings people together. It not only connects people with a positive attitude, but also combines the areas of interest of environmental protection, educational work, fitness and health.

Here are the most important advantages of the sport in my opinion:

• Friendship: Of course you can also go plogging alone, but it's even more fun together with others. You'll get to know like-minded people with whom you can exchange ideas beyond this trendy sport.
• Environmental Protection & Commitment: Plastic waste in the environment belongs to the largest Environmental problems of our time. As a plogger, you make sure that the plastic goes where it belongs: in the yellow garbage can.
• Awareness: Even if, at first glance, litter picking may only combat the symptoms of our litter problem, at second glance it helps to raise awareness. Because jogging through the neighborhood with a garbage bag is eye-catching - also because it is something new. Interest in this enlightening trend sport is growing accordingly.
• Fitness: Plogging is a super strenuous workout! Stretching, bending, squatting, running, jogging and carrying. That this sport makes you fit needs no further explanation.
• Health: Instead of sitting on the sofa, you are actively doing something good for your health. Ploggers exercise regularly and do good. And Doing good is something for the heart!

Question: Can you think of any other reasons why plogging is so popular? Then please write a comment below this article.

Here's how it works: How does plogging work?

Actually, you could also say: Just get started! Nevertheless, I would like to explain it to you here in a few but decisive words, how to plog correctly. Below you can find out what you need for plogging and where you can practise this new sport.

What do you need for plogging?

Of course, you can also simply collect garbage while running. However, plogging is more hygienic and effective with just a few items.

Find out here, what you need for plogging:

• Running shoes (take a look here at Avocadostore*)
• Work gloves (e.g. these* directly for several participants)
• Garbage bags (e.g. these* or a reusable cloth bag)

Tip: If you go plogging with others and the route is not completely littered, not everyone usually needs their own garbage bag. You can save it for the next run.

Where and with whom can you go plogging?

It's nice that you are now equipped. But where can you go plogging and find people who want to do it? Here are some places for you to go:

• Parks, forests and anywhere you can walk well (you don't have to worry about the garbage, unfortunately it's everywhere these days)
• Facebook pages and groups (e.g. Plogging Germany or Plogging Berlin Germany)
• Existing running clubs near you (e.g. Adidas Runners or Nike Run Club)
• Sustainable company outing with the company (joint, sports-social commitment)
• Self-organized running club and Facebook group (if there is no plogging group near you, just take the reins yourself)

Tip: Plogging doesn't always have to be planned in advance. Even on a normal run in the park, you can of course collect garbage and dispose of it in the garbage cans provided.

Plogging: jogging and collecting garbage for a cleaner environment

The great thing about plogging is that there's simply nothing wrong with it. Or can you think of anything? Plogging is simply fun because it Educating our society, environmental protection, health and activities with friends with each other.

So just lace up your running shoes, put on your gloves, grab a bin liner and off you go! 🙂

"The world changes by your example, not by your opinion."

Paulo Coelho (more at Zero Waste Quotes)

Do you have any questions, tips or your own experiences with the sport of plogging that you would like to share? Then feel free to write a comment below this post.

Stay sustainable,

PS: If you are generally interested in sports, then definitely take a look at the Sporting goods in the sustainability store on. For example, in future use These sturdy wooden push-up grips* for your everyday training.