Plogging: The Trend of Running While Picking Up Trash

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Have you ever heard about plogging? Plogging is an activity that not only makes you healthy but also lets you contribute to the environment. This is because plogging is the combination of a fun run and trash picking.

This article discusses what is plogging, including its definition and benefits. To learn more about the complete information, read this article until the end!

What Is Plogging?

Plogging is a running and trash-picking trend from Sweden that has become a sensation globally. Plogging is a combination of plokka up, or trash picking, and jogging.

This environmentally friendly running emerged first in Sweden in 2016 by Erik Ahlstrom, who had already gotten fed up with the litter on the road. Therefore, he began to pick up the trash every time he went out.

Since then, many people have followed his action, even organizations around the world. With the massive share of information through social media, plogging has spread to more than 100 countries.

Benefits of Plogging

Plogging is an activity that is not only advantageous for your health but also for the environment. You will run while picking up the trash in your running tracks. As a result, the environment is cleaner. Moreover, here are some benefits of plogging you must know:

1. Make Your Body Fit

By doing plogging runs regularly, your body will move a lot and feel fitter. Yet, this must be supported by a healthy diet and adequate rest to make your body even healthier.

2. Burn Calories

Plogging can also help your body burn more calories. However, different from running or jogging in general, you will continuously bend down to pick up some trash, meaning that more limbs are moving and making the calorie burning more effective.

3. Tackle Waste Issue

Litter on the streets will certainly pollute the environment and make the area unsightly. Worse, litter can end up in rivers or sewers, polluting the water, clogging drains, and contaminating the ecosystem.

Moreover, according to Sistem Informasi Pengelolaan Sampah Nasional, the waste in 322 regencies/cities in Indonesia has reached 33 million tonnes annually, and only 15 million tonnes are tackled. By doing plogging, you also contribute to overcoming this issue around you and reduce litter.

What Must You Bring While Plogging?

If you are getting interested in plogging, make sure to bring the necessities. Although it is a simple exercise, you still need the following equipment to make plogging more effective:

1. Trash Bags

The first equipment to bring is trash bags. If you plan to run a little further or go to an area with a lot of trash, you can bring a large trash bag.

Also, you can fold the garbage bag to make it smaller and more convenient to carry while running to prevent disturbing your running process. When the bags are full or you are done running, you can tie the garbage bag and throw it in the trash around you.

2. Trash Picker

Bringing a trash picker stick will help you pick up trash because you do not have to bend down too much. Not only that, but you also do not need to make direct contact with the trash, so it is more sterile.

3. Gloves

To make it more sterile, you can use washable and reusable gloves. If you do not have a trash picker, you can pick up the trash directly as long as you have your gloves on.

4. Disinfectant or Soap

Even if you wear gloves, you still need to keep your hands clean by using disinfectant. However, if you find a public bathroom, you can wash your hands with soap.

5. Running Gears

Equally important, you must also bring your running gear, such as running shoes, drinking water, a small towel, a snack bar, a raincoat, and other equipment. If you are just running around the neighborhood, you can bring simpler equipment.

Tips to Start Plogging

Now that you already know about what is plogging, its benefits, and things you must bring, you should know the tips to start plogging to make it effective and fun. Here are the tips you can adhere to:

1. Start with Short Distance

If you are not used to running or jogging, you should not force yourself to run long distances. You can start running around your house, city park, or just take a leisurely walk with your family or pet.

2. Select the Routes

When you are used to jogging, you can select routes with a lot of garbage. Yet, make sure that the area is safe and free from traffic to prevent risks of accidents.

3. Hiking and Plogging

If you are a nature lover, you can do plogging while hiking! When hiking, make sure to bring some trash bags to pick up trash around the trail.

4. Bring the Plogging Equipment

You must prepare plogging gear as explained before. You do not need to carry too many gears to make your running activity enjoyable.

5. Share on Social Media

To attract more people to follow this healthy and eco-friendly action, do not forget to document your plogging and share it on social media. You can invite your friends or family to do plogging together.

That is the information about plogging you can learn. This activity is an innovation that not only makes your body healthy but also makes the environment more attractive. You can live a sustainable lifestyle by regularly doing plogging.

Aside from plogging, you can also do other things to implement a sustainable lifestyle, like becoming a part of Indonesia Asri. The campaign supported by Chandra Asri Group invites Warga Asri to contribute more to the environment, one of which is by participating in #SiPalingSustainable challenges.

Register yourself now and get ready to contribute to the environment toward a greener future!