Plogging 101: A Workout That Cleans the Planet

Plogging is a growing movement that combines jogging with picking up litter—turning your daily run into a win for both your health and the planet.

Litter isn’t just an eyesore. It can end up in waterways and oceans, threatening wildlife and polluting the environment. Plogging empowers people to make a visible difference by removing debris from sidewalks, parks, and trails—all while getting in a great workout. Fun fact: an hour of plogging burns about 288 calories, compared to 235 from jogging alone, thanks to all those extra bends and squats (data via the Lifesum app).

The term “plogging” comes from Sweden, blending plocka upp (“to pick up”) with jogging. Since 2018, Keep America Beautiful and its affiliates have helped spread the movement across the U.S., leading community plogs and encouraging everyone to join in.

So grab a bag, lace up your sneakers, and do a little good on your next run.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (@greengwinnett)

To plog, we recommend you have the following supplies:

• Gloves or a litter grabber to pick up litter
• Bag or bucket to collect litter along your route
• Sturdy shoes
• Reusable water bottle

Follow these easy steps to join the movement and get plogging:

1. Pick a site in your community to plog – your neighborhood, local park, parking lot near your office building, nearby beach, etc.
2. Gather all of your supplies (listed above).
3. Get plogging! Plogging doesn’t have to just be jogging – you can walk, run, or stroll too!
4. Along the route, feel free to tell others what you’re doing and spread the word on how they can make a difference, too.
5. When you’re finished, dispose of the collected litter properly. If using a trash bag to collect the litter, be sure to securely tie off the bag. recyclables.
6. Post a picture from your experience on social media with the hashtags #DoBeautifulThings and and tag @KeepAmericaBeautiful.

Safety Tips:

• Wear gloves when picking up litter.
• Keep yourself safe – Wear a safety vest and make sure you pay attention to traffic and other conditions around you while collecting litter or trash.
• Avoid personal injury – Only pick up litter or trash that you can individually manage. Don’t exceed your physical weight lifting limitations. Report finding any hazardous materials, weapons, or medical waste to local officials for their safe removal.
• Stay hydrated and energized.
• Minimize physical contact with litter – It is best to use some type of litter grabber and/or protective work gloves to protect yourself from cuts, scrapes, and any contaminant that may be on the collected litter or trash.
• Keep your hands away from your face – During and after collecting litter, do not touch your face with gloved hands or hands that have not been washed and sanitized.
• Wash and sanitize your hands.

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About Keep America Beautiful®:

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify America’s communities. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

McCall Vrydaghs

Keep America Beautiful®