Plogging is a blend of the Swedish phrase ‘plocka upp’ (meaning ‘pick up’) and ‘jogging’. It debuted in Sweden in 2016 and made its way to the United States in 2018.

Plogging, the act of picking up trash while jogging, was adopted by Keep America Beautiful® because it incorporates the primary areas we address – reducing litter, improving recycling, and beautifying communities – and this healthy activity’s direct connection to our vision of a world that’s clean, green and beautiful, according to an article on Keep America Beautiful website.

In Connecticut, there will be a Plogging Event on September 15 called a Trash Dash.

Trash Dash has a nice ring to it. I wonder if they would allow Orange to use it?

Plogging provides people with the unique opportunity to simultaneously exercise while benefiting their community. It offers participants a direct impact on their local community.

Feel inspired? Join the movement of plogging in your local community today, according to the article. It’s easy, healthy, and gives you a sense of pride doing good for your community. Get started today and follow the simple steps below to create your lasting impact today.

• Plogging Route – Choose a route that is heavily littered and safe. 
• Materials – Be prepared and make sure to be equipped with gloves, bags, water, and a litter picker, if desired.
• Safety – Your plogging route may require the crossing of streets. Always look both ways when crossing and wear gloves when picking up litter. Stay away from picking-up sharp objects.
• Disposable – When your plog is finished properly dispose of products in the correct recycling or trash bins.
• Show off – Show off the hard work you have done and post about it! Use the #KABPlogging hashtag and follow us on Instagram to be connected to the plogging community and stay informed.

Even without an organized event, I would encourage you to practice Plogging. Walk or job would be your option. Email us pictures of the trash you collected during your walk/run to news@orangeleader.com

In 2018 alone, through volunteer efforts that totaled more than 12 million volunteer hours, Keep America Beautiful collected close to 100 million pounds of litter and recycling, cleaned 86,000 miles of roadways, beaches and trails, and delivered over $368 million in economic benefit to the communities they serve.

In March, during the annual Community Trash-Off sponsored by Shangri La Gardens, Keep Orange County Beautiful (KOCB) partnered with Superior Tire and Service in Orange to recycle tires collected. 200 tires were collected during the event.

During a five-hour event in July, over 730 tires were collected. KOCB partnered with The City of Vidor, Superior Tire and Service of Orange, and D&D Scrap of Bridge City to collect abandoned tires and scrap metal, at no charge to county residents. 

This shows the residents of Orange County do have a desire to see Orange County litter-free.

Together we can make Orange County Beautiful.

 

Dawn Burleigh is editor of The Orange Leader. She can be reached at dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com