Plogging
Plogging is an eco-conscious physical activity that integrates jogging or running with the collection of litter from public spaces, thereby merging aerobic exercise with direct environmental remediation.[1] The practice derives its name from the Swedish terms plocka upp ("to pick up") and jogga ("to jog"), coined by Erik Ahlström in Stockholm in 2016 amid frustration with pervasive urban littering during his runs.[1][2] The inaugural organized plogging event occurred that same year in Stockholm, marking the formal inception of what would evolve into a structured fitness trend emphasizing personal health alongside habitat preservation.[3] By incorporating movements such as bending, squatting, and reaching to retrieve debris, plogging augments standard jogging with functional strength elements, potentially yielding superior caloric expenditure and muscle engagement compared to jogging alone, while participants equip themselves with gloves and bags for safe refuse handling.[3] Its proliferation has spanned over 100 countries, amassing more than 3 million event participants since inception and an estimated 20,000 daily adherents worldwide, evidenced by initiatives like the World Plogging Championship launched in Italy in 2021.[3][2] Empirical assessments, including educational interventions with secondary students, affirm plogging's efficacy in elevating environmental consciousness— with participants reporting heightened pollution awareness and endorsement of its dual health and cleanup merits—thus fostering sustained behavioral shifts toward sustainability without reliance on abstract advocacy.[4] This grassroots phenomenon underscores a causal linkage between individual exertion and tangible ecological gains, sidestepping institutional dependencies for litter abatement.[2]
Origins and History
Invention in Sweden
Plogging was invented in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2016 by Erik Ahlström, an environmental activist who combined the Swedish verb plocka upp ("to pick up") with jogga ("to jog"), creating a portmanteau that describes the practice of collecting litter during exercise.[3] Ahlström, who had relocated to the city, initiated the activity as a personal response to visible urban trash, transforming routine jogs into opportunities for environmental cleanup and inspiring the formalized "Plogga" movement.[5][6] Stockholm hosted the first organized plogging event that year, marking the transition from individual practice to a structured initiative that emphasized both physical fitness and waste reduction in public spaces.[3] Ahlström's approach drew on Sweden's established cultural emphasis on outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship, integrating litter collection—often using gloves and bags—directly into aerobic workouts to enhance engagement without requiring separate activities.[7] This invention quickly gained traction locally through social media and community groups, with Ahlström founding the Plogging organization to promote standardized techniques and events, laying the groundwork for broader adoption while prioritizing verifiable litter removal metrics over unsubstantiated ecological claims.[7] Early participants reported collecting items like plastic bottles and cigarette butts during sessions, aligning the practice with Sweden's high recycling rates and anti-litter campaigns, though independent verification of initial impacts remains limited to anecdotal organizer reports.[5]Global Spread and Popularization
Plogging emerged in Sweden around 2016 through social media posts on Instagram, with the term combining "jogging" and the Swedish "plocka upp" (to pick up), but its organized spread began in 2017 via local running groups in Stockholm.[8] By early 2018, the practice had expanded beyond Sweden, gaining traction in Europe and rapidly disseminating to other continents through online sharing and fitness communities.[9] Initial international adoption included the United Kingdom, where media coverage highlighted its dual benefits for fitness and litter reduction, and Australia, where coastal running groups incorporated it into routines.[8] The trend accelerated in 2018 with endorsements from environmental organizations and public figures, reaching Asia, Africa, and the Americas; for instance, it appeared in Japan and India, where Indian officials promoted it amid urban pollution concerns, and in Nigeria for community cleanups.[5] In South America and Southeast Asia, groups formed in Ecuador and Thailand by mid-2018, often tied to beach and trail running events.[9] Eastern Europe saw uptake in Ukraine by 2020, with organized plogging sessions in Kyiv linking healthy lifestyles to anti-litter campaigns.[10] Popularization was fueled by social media virality and running crews, leading to irregular events in cities like Seoul, South Korea, where monthly gatherings emerged by 2019 as a youth-driven environmental movement among the MZ generation (ages 20-40).[11] Competitive elements boosted visibility, with the inaugural World Plogging Championship held in 2021, followed by events in Genoa, Italy, in 2023, drawing participants to compete in distance run and litter collected.[12] By 2023, plogging communities reported over 20,000 active participants worldwide across more than 100 countries, though verifiable daily engagement remains concentrated in urban areas with established running networks.[13]Definition and Practice
Core Mechanics and Techniques
Plogging combines jogging with the Swedish practice of plocka upp, meaning "to pick up," involving systematic litter collection during aerobic exercise. The core mechanic requires participants to maintain a jogging pace while visually scanning paths, trails, or urban routes for discarded items such as plastic bottles, cans, cigarette butts, and food wrappers, then executing quick stops or slowdowns to retrieve them without disrupting overall momentum. This alternation engages varied muscle groups beyond standard running, incorporating squats, lunges, or reaches that mimic functional strength training.[14][15] Effective techniques emphasize preparation and form to maximize efficiency and minimize injury risk. Practitioners select littered routes like parks, beaches, or roadsides, starting at a moderate pace to build scanning habits before accelerating. Upon spotting litter, one bends at the knees with a neutral spine—similar to a proper squat—to grasp items, avoiding back strain; heavier or awkward objects are often skipped or handled with extended reaches to sustain rhythm. Collections are sorted loosely into biodegradable, recyclable, or general waste categories within carried bags, with sessions typically lasting 30-60 minutes to balance exercise intensity and collection volume.[16][17][18] Safety protocols form integral techniques, prioritizing hygiene and hazard avoidance. Reusable gloves protect against contaminants, while tongs or grabbers enable contactless pickup of sharp debris like glass or needles, which should otherwise be left for professional removal. Participants report large or dangerous finds, such as vehicle wrecks or chemical containers, to local authorities rather than transporting them, ensuring personal safety over immediate cleanup. Hydration and weather-appropriate attire remain essential, as does awareness of traffic or uneven terrain during stops.[15][19][17]- Preparation tips: Assemble compostable bags, multiple glove pairs, and optional litter grabbers; map routes via apps showing high-litter areas.[14]
- Execution tips: Limit stops to 5-10 seconds per item, focusing on lightweight, grabbable trash initially to maintain cardiovascular benefits.[18][16]
- Post-session: Sort and dispose of collected waste at designated bins or recycling centers to quantify impact and reinforce habits.[19]