The dual crises of environmental degradation and declining public health demand urgent attention. Addressing both simultaneously may seem daunting, but a growing global movement offers a practical solution – plogging. This activity combines jogging with picking up litter, creating a powerful synergy between physical fitness and environmental responsibility.
Plogging originated in Sweden in 2016, blending the Swedish terms plocka upp (to pick up) and jogga (to jog). The concept was introduced by Erik Ahlström, a trail runner and environmental advocate in Stockholm.
Troubled by the litter strewn across streets and parks during his runs, Ahlström took action. Armed with gloves and a bag, he began collecting rubbish as he jogged, soon inspiring others to join him in this mission.
What began as a local initiative has now grown into an international movement, with Plogathon events uniting communities worldwide. The message is clear: maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preserving the environment are not mutually exclusive. Through plogging, individuals can contribute to both, demonstrating how small, consistent actions can lead to meaningful change.
Plogging has found its way into Brunei, capturing the imagination of communities and making its mark at the grassroots level. A recent example unfolded at the Belait Arabic School, where more than 120 students, teachers, parents, and guardians took part in a Plogging programme designed to inspire both environmental stewardship and physical fitness.
Participants not only cleaned the school grounds but extended their efforts to the surrounding village along Jalan Dipa Negara. Armed with gloves and trash bags, they jogged through the area, collecting litter while embracing the joy of being part of a collective effort. The activity seamlessly blended exercise with environmental action, turning a routine clean-up into an engaging, meaningful event.
Plogathons, such as this, highlight innovative solutions to two pressing challenges: the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and the urgency of addressing environmental degradation. By combining movement with purpose, these events motivate participants to improve their cardiovascular health, burn calories, and take ownership of the spaces they inhabit.
Commissioner for the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam (PPPBD) Nur Hafizah binti Haji Awang Mohidin and leader of the programme, emphasised that this is precisely the aim of plogging. It fosters a sense of responsibility while creating opportunities for communities to come together in pursuit of a cleaner, greener world.
“Themed around ‘Berjalan, Mengutip, dan Melindungi’ (Jogging, Picking, and Proctecting), the Plogathon programme combines the two activities of a walkathon and logging to encourage the school’s students, teachers, along with the parents and guardians, to be actively involved in both physical activity and caring for the cleanliness of our environment.”
She added that the programme was held in celebration of the school’s 20th anniversary, as well as in conjunction with the Day of Action 2024.
“The Plogathon programme also supports the Sustainable Development Goal 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to compact climate change and its impact.”
She also recalled that the school’s Girls Guide Group was fortunate to have participated in a similar Plogathon activity held as part of Singapore Girl Guide International Camp in 2022, which serves as an inspiration for the programme held at the school.
“For the Plogathon programme held at our school, we started with a short warming up session followed by a safety briefing and the distribution of gloves and trash bags for the more than 180 participants to jog and pick up trash safely.”
In addition to collecting, weighing, and properly disposing of the collected trash at the end of the programme, several vendors were also set up by the parents and guardians to further enliven the atmosphere.
“In organising and conducting the programme, we hope that the participants will be able to learn how their role in cleaning the environment can contribute to the community, while also cultivating a positive mindset for both cleanliness and healthy lifestyle.” As the younger generation continues to learn the importance of balancing health and cleanliness as an integral part of their daily lives, plogging and Plogathon events such as this serve as a reminder of how efficient and engaging these habits can be.
Furthermore, Plogathon represents more than just an event, as it is also an intriguing mindset that encourages people to view health and environmental care as intertwined responsibilities. By incorporating plogging into daily routines, individuals can make a consistent impact on their well-being and surroundings at the same time.
The mantra of ‘Killing Two Birds with One Stone’ lives strong in plogging and this rising trend can be applied to all walks of life as people gather to achieve a common goal of cleaner cities, healthier lifestyles, and a more sustainable future.
As the plogging movement continues to grow, its potential to inspire change can be limitless as every piece of litter picked up and every step taken, are also steps taken towards a cleaner and healthier world, while proving that small actions can lead to monumental change. – Daniel Lim
