The Good Cause Of The Month: Plogolution

Last year the founders Dermot and Michelle came across plogging, which is walking and running whilst picking up rubbish. Plogging is a fun and rewarding way to stay active while giving back to the environment. The term “plogging” is derived from a mix of the Swedish words “plocka upp,” which means “to pick up,” and “jogging.”

They’ve now held many large scale plogs across London, Northern England and even in the States! You can find the next planned plogging event on the website too, see when’s one near you. They’ve engaged 100s of ploggers and picked up 1000s of bags of rubbish – much of which can be recycled. So, we can say, plogging is slowly becoming a global movement.

 

One of the biggest reasons to try plogging is the positive impact it has on the environment. As you jog through your neighborhood or local park, you can collect trash that might otherwise go unaddressed. It’s incredible how a single jog can transform a littered space into a cleaner environment. Not only are you helping to beautify your community, but you’re also contributing to wildlife conservation by preventing debris from harming local animals.

Plogging is a perfect activity that can match different fitness levels. You could be  a seasoned runner or just starting out, you can adjust your pace and the intensity of your workout. You can also gather friends and family for a group plogging session, making it a fun social activity. With the rise of social media, plogging has become a community movement. Many people share their plogging experiences online, inspiring others to join in. Plogging promotes mindfulness and connection to nature. As you pay attention to your surroundings while running, you become more aware of the environment and the issues it faces. So, grab a pair of gloves and a reusable bag, lace up your running shoes, and try plogging for yourself. 

 

 

 

In my view, it’s very important to mention, when it comes to climate crisis, this is a great example how individuals can act together and be the change. We can all do a lots of things to help our planet. When we act together, the impact is bigger, we multiply our efforts and inspire others.

 

The other side to the movement is the school side. They go into schools to educate on the environment and the impact of rubbish and plastic pollution. Then they also have funding to set up school plogging clubs. They have now presented to over 5,000 children and have 16 schools actively plogging. 

 

 

And to raise awareness of plastic pollution, a team of 6 ploggers plogged the length of the Thames from source to Thames Barrier which is 184 miles that in 6 days! The team did around 30 miles (48km) and 12 hours a day. On their first day the group made it from the source of the Thames to Radcot and ended the sixth day running from Putney to the Thames Barrier.

All the plastic bottles we’ve picked up at the end:

• 1,107 plastic bottles
• 489 glass bottles
• 931 cans
• 44 huge bags of landfill waste