If you enjoy staying active and want to help the planet, these sports might be for you!
What is plogging?
Plogging is an exercise trend that combines picking up litter with walking, jogging, or running.
Runner Erik Ahlström helped start the plogging movement in Sweden in 2016. The name plogging comes from the Swedish word plocka upp (pick up) combined with jogging. Eager ploggers are now active around the world, from Los Angeles to Ecuador and beyond.
To plog, grab a bag, head out on a jog, and pick up any trash you see along your route. Where to plog? Your neighborhood, a park, or the beach. It’s a great way to help Earth and exercise at the same time.
What is spogomi?
Looking for something more competitive? Give spogomi a go.
Kenichi Mamitsuka created spogomi in Japan in 2008. The name comes from the word sport combined with the Japanese word for picking up trash.
During a spogomi event, teams of three race against the clock to collect and sort litter in the competition area. Both the amount and type of trash collected affect a team’s score. Some items are worth more points than others. The team with the most points wins!
While events take place around the world, the main event is the SPOGOMI World Cup, held in Japan. Great Britain won the inaugural event in 2023 and Japan won in 2025. During the 2025 World Cup and qualifier events, more than 8,500 competitors picked up more than 22,500 kilograms (49,600 pounds) of trash!
How to get involved
- Grab a pair of gloves and a garbage bag.
- Go outside and collect trash.
- Sort, recycle, and dispose of the trash.
- Or, organize a school or community plog-a-thon or trash cleanup competition.
Safety tips: Wear gloves, watch for traffic near roads, and don’t pick up sharp or dangerous items. Ask an adult for help if you’re unsure about a piece of litter.
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