What is Plogging?

Have you heard about Plogging? There's been a lot of it going around here lately in celebration of Earth Day.  Yet, it's a great idea any time of year.

The word "Plogging" is a combination of "jogging" and "plocka upp," a Swedish term for picking up. It refers to stopping to pick up trash while you run. It's a nice way to reduce litter and show appreciation for the places where we run and walk outside. 

I realized while running trails that if I'm wearing FlipBelt Crops I can stash trash in the 360º pockets. I grabbed this wrapper and an empty water bottle on my trail run.

Plogging Started in Sweden

People have been plogging in European countries for a while. Now, the idea is getting popular with U.S. runners.  The first Facebook group, Plogga, showed up in January 2017. You can find dedicated Ploggers on Instagram, too. My favorite is Plastic_SolutionPollution. 

​All you need to plog is a place to put the trash you find. Take a grocery bag or a garbage bag. You may want to bring a pair of gloves. If you want to plog in a group, look for local activities organized by Keep America Beautiful.

You can use disposable gloves or garden gloves to pick up trash on your run.

FlipBelt Crops have plenty of room to carry a bag and gloves you'll use for plogging. They're also good for stashing random trash you find on a run when you didn't intend to plog.

Plogging on Trails vs City Streets

I spotted trash out on the trails the other day. Not cool, hikers. Not cool. Since I was wearing my FlipBelt Crops (of course!) I realized they were perfect for plogging.

It was easy to grab food wrappers and bottle caps and put them in my pockets. I decided next time I'd stash a bag and gloves in my FlipBelt Crops for a serious plogging session. 

I think plogging works best on trails, or less busy suburban routes. You're able to run and pick up trash. If you're on city streets with heavy pedestrian traffic, it's more challenging. In most cities, it's lots of picking up and little running.

I've read about running groups that run first, then take 20-30 minutes afterwards to pick up trash. That's certainly an easier way to plog in the city.

Plogging Can Be a Workout

​Some runners like to run a route once with an eye out for trash, then repeat the course to pick it up. I use this method when I run around a nearby lake.

However you plog, it's good for the environment, and adds stretching and squatting to your workout. In fact, the Swedish fitness app Lifesum, lists plogging as a fitness activity. If you're wondering, it burns 288 calories in 30 minutes.

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Disclaimer: I received a pair of FlipBelt Crops to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

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