Montgomery County Challenges Residents to Start Plogging—An Initiative to Encourage Picking Up Trash While Jogging or Walking

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 31, 2021

To celebrate the start of Earth Month, Montgomery County is kicking off a spring #PloggingChallenge from April 1 through June 30. The initiative, led by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in partnership with Montgomery Parks and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, challenges everyone to “plog”—pick up trash while they jog or walk.

The plogging concept asks people who regularly jog or a walk to take a trash bag and a grabber and pick up trash while they are on their route.

Plogging is a worldwide trend that started in Sweden and is now a part of Montgomery County’s effort to reduce litter. It also is a great way to get in extra exercise. As a workout, plogging adds bending, squatting and stretching to the main actions of jogging or walking, all while cleaning up our community.

Residents can join the #PloggingChallenge by taking a photo of themselves plogging in Montgomery County and tagging the DEP Instagram account @mygreenmc or using the hashtag #MontgomeryPlogs on Instagram. Participants also can submit photos via email to DEP.contests@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Anyone who joins the #PloggingChallenge can get a free “Plog-A-Long" pack by signing up on the DEP website https://mygreenmontgomery.org/2021/greenfest-plogging-challenge/

Each Plog-A-Long pack contains trash and recycling bags, gloves, a one litter grabber and hand sanitizer. Those who sign up to receive a Plog-A-Long pack are committing to picking up trash, disposing of trash properly and reporting the number of bags of trash that are picked up.

Students will be eligible to earn one Student Service Learning hour per day, per bag of trash picked up. Prizes and other plogging events are planned throughout the campaign.

All Plog-Along Packs must be picked up in person at a designated location. See the website for further details.

“The Plogging Challenge is a fun and engaging way to raise awareness about stormwater pollution,” said DEP Director Adam Ortiz. “All of the trash that we see on the sides of the roads, on curbs, in streams, and in stormwater ponds eventually ends up in our rives and waterways. Plogging is a simple act that can really have an impact. Imagine how much trash we can collect if everyone were to plog even a little bit every day.”

More campaign details can be found here:   https://mygreenmontgomery.org/2021/greenfest-plogging-challenge/ .

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Release ID: 21-204
Media Contact: Cindy Pena 202-875-1563
Categories: Environment