As if we needed another reason to love the Swedes. For such a (relatively) small and humble populace, they鈥檝e had an outsized effect on the world. From delicious candy (Swedish Fish) to beautifully designed products (POC helmets, Volvo cars, just about everything at IKEA), the list of their exports is as impressive as it is long. Its latest contribution? Plogging, a pastime that combines jogging, hiking, or walking with picking up trash in nature.聽
Plogging鈥攁 portmanteau of jogging and the Swedish term plocka upp, which means 鈥減ick up鈥濃攚as created in 2016 by Erik Ahlstrom, a Swedish runner who was tired of seeing so much trash on his daily jogs. Thanks to the Swedish communities and beyond聽who are committed to caring for their local parks, trails, and communities, the movement has grown worldwide since then, with official plogging groups running for good in more than 40 countries, from Chile to India.
The beauty of plogging is that it doesn鈥檛 matter how or where you do it鈥攜ou simply head out in nature and make your community and the natural environment a better place in the process. 鈥淚t combines two wonderful things that people are already doing:聽moving in nature and doing good,鈥 says Nathan Dopp, CEO of the North American branch of Swedish outdoor brand聽, which has started organizing plogging events in the U.S. 鈥淎nd the outings are really fun, inclusive, and communal.鈥 With Earth Day rapidly approaching, now is the perfect time to hop on board with Sweden鈥檚 latest export.聽
For the second year in a row, 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 will be hosting and facilitating self-guided COVID-safe plogging events across the country. Swing by any of its Brand Centers (see a list ) on Earth Day to pick up your safe plogging kit (latex Gloves, Bio-degradable Bags, and hand-sanitizing聽wipes) and $50 off your next 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 product for participating.聽
Or, option B: Just head out yourself or with family and friends and take a picture of yourself lending a hand as you walk, jog, or hike聽out in nature. Then, tag聽 on Instagram and use the hashtags #longlifelesswaste, #natureiswaiting, #plogging, and #earthday for a chance to be featured on 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍鈥檚 social channels on Earth Day and receive a National Parks pass.
In 1960, 脜ke Nordin founded聽聽in his basement in the Swedish town of 脰rnsk枚ldsvik. Since then the brand has stayed true to its mission of developing timeless, functional, and durable outdoor equipment, acting responsibly toward people, animals, and the environment, and inspiring more people to discover outdoor life.