{"id":11011,"date":"2020-09-08T11:00:07","date_gmt":"2020-09-08T11:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waste4change.com\/blog\/?p=11011"},"modified":"2022-08-09T07:17:08","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T07:17:08","slug":"plogging-the-new-swedish-trend-of-running-while-picking-up-trash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waste4change.com\/blog\/plogging-the-new-swedish-trend-of-running-while-picking-up-trash\/","title":{"rendered":"Plogging: The New Swedish Trend of Running while Picking Up Trash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to balanced and healthy lifestyle, the Swedish people and their way of life is worth your attention. One of Swedish trends that started back in 2016 and is recently gaining popularity is called plogging, and for a good reason.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Plogging can be done collectively or individually. Source: iStock Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is Plogging?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The term \u201cplogging\u201d is coined from the English phrase \u201cjogging\u201d and \u201cplocka upp\u201d<\/em>, a Swedish term that means \u201cpicking up\u201d. Yep, plogging is the Swedish fitness trend that combines jogging while picking up trash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides plogging itself, there are also other variations of activity derived from it, such as  \u201ctaking a palk\u201d (plogging walk) or a \u201cpike\u201d (plogging hike). It really does not matter whether you took a 2-mile jog or a 5-mile marathon, or just a 15-minute morning walk, the idea is that you do some physical exercise while helping to pick up litter!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Plogging in groups. Source: www.triplepundit.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You can run alone, or in groups, or while walking your dog, or even on your way to getting your coffee. You can do it early in the morning, or a bit before going to work, or even in the late afternoon. Anything that suits you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swedish native Erik Ahlstr\u00f6m, who created the website www.plogga.se, says that all you need for plogging is a pair of gloves and a recyclable bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plogging Takes Flight Worldwide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Felix Hamilton lives in London and Sweden and runs the Instagram @goplogging and the website www.globalplogging.com with his brother Hugo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He compared people\u2019s awareness regarding litter in both Stockholm and London, that while joggers and even people who were strolling around in Sweden picked up litter, in London the situation was the opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Felix is then determined to go beyond motivating the local community and turn it into a global movement instead. As a starter, he went to Vero Beach in Florida, USA to do plogging.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Source: thecsrjournal.in<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Similarly, Jo Stevens, who manages <\/strong>JogScotland, also favors the new trend<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor people who jog regularly it\u2019s great to introduce a bit of variety into your sessions. This looks like a good way of doing something different, which benefits the community. Quite a few joggers already take it on themselves to pick up litter when they see it in their running spots. Having a whole group of joggers doing this regularly could make a real difference to parks, paths, and pavements,\u201d<\/p>Joe Stevens<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And then there\u2019s also one from India, where a man named Ripu Daman Bevli started picking up litter during his morning run and shared activity on his Facebook group, My City = My Responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Ripu Daman Bevli while plogging in India. Source: www.newindianexpress.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

His doing attract other runners, cyclists, walkers, and joggers across India and ultimately they formed Ploggers of India, where \u2018cleaning up other people\u2019s litter the coolest thing to do\u2019. Until now, Bevli has organized over 500 clean up drives across India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Plogging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, do you still need a reason to do plogging? Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll give you four reasons according to plogga.se as to why plogging is good for both you and the planet:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Source: lifo.gr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

1.Health and exercise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Karolinska Institutet, the risk of depression, obesity, and cancer among people who are seated a lot and are physically inactive doubles for both adults and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no doubt that moving your body will do great things for your health, and plogging will also add some extra moves like squatting or bending your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Combat Plastic Pollution<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The litter that nobody bothers to pick up will eventually end up somewhere where it doesn\u2019t belong, like in rivers and even oceans. Start plogging to prevent the litters from ending up in the oceans and killing our marine life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Save Wildlife<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we littered the environment, wildlife will suffer, like how turtles, other marine mammals are entangled in plastic bags or plastic cutlery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, not only marine mammals but also seabirds might get trapped by our plastic waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Reduced Social Costs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2015, the costs of cleaning public spaces from litter decreased by SEK 2 billion in Sweden. Imagine how that money could be used to address more urgent issues. Collective efforts like plogging that help keep public spaces clean indirectly save the city\u2019s cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips to Get Started and Get Plogging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n