70 CalmMoment.comThe Bristol Ploggers have been coming together to run and
give something back to their community for over a year.smoother – I’d chosen not to wear gloves, and use
antibacterial gel to clean my hands at the end
instead. We fill a large bag each. I feel awesome.Two’s company
I realise the buzz I’m feeling is largely down to
plogging with another person – we’d chatted and
encouraged each other along the way, and the task
didn’t feel quite so daunting as when I was doing
it solo.
“The social element is definitely a bonus when
plogging as part of a group,” Sharon Sexton tells
me over the phone. She’s been running Bristol
Ploggers (PloggingBristol on Facebook) for just
over a year. “I try to make it as inclusive as
possible, so there’s a mixture of abilities within
the group. There are some who prefer to walk
and use litter-pickers, and others who love to bomb
it along the towpath. As a general rule, we meet
at a certain place, plog however we want to for
45 minutes, then regroup and go for a coffee
knowing we’ve made a fantastic contribution
to our community.”
This positive experience has inspired me
to make plogging, either solo or with friends,
a regular activity. Perhaps not for every run I do,
but certainly once or twice a month. Paul assures
me that it doesn’t matter how often you plog, just
the fact that you do it makes a difference. And
what’s as important as actually doing the plogging,
according to Paul?
“You’ve got to tell people about it,” he says. “On
Facebook or Instagram or whatever social media
you use – take pictures of what you’re doing andshare them. It’s not about saying ‘Look at what
I’m doing, aren’t I amazing?’, it’s about raising
awareness and making plogging part of the
mainstream. And don’t be afraid to name and
shame – if you regularly pick up packaging from
a particular brand, take a picture of it and tag
them. You’re not having a moan, you’re just making
them aware of the issue, and hopefully they’ll do
something about it.”
There’s no denying that we’re living in tense
times, with all sorts of rifts forming in social,
political and environmental arenas around the
world. Plogging is just one example of how
individuals and communities can feel empowered
and take positive action while getting fit and
having fun at the same time. Pull on your trainers,
grab a bag and give it a go.Paul says you don't
have to pick for a
whole run, even 10
minutes helps.
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l^ PloggersFind out if there’s a plogging group in your area on
Facebook or on running forums such as Run Together
(groups.runtogether.co.uk). If there isn’t one, try setting
up your own, or organise informal sessions with friends.
Contact your local council to find out if they can provide
you with free litter-pickers, and speak to local cafe
owners to see if they’d be up for providing a discount
for an after-plog coffee. Try to use compostable bags
for collecting the litter, or even better – if you spot a bag
stuck in a hedgerow, use that!Get involved