Now that spring is finally here, it’s time
to rediscover the pleasure of walking, or jogging for those who still do, and
see the beauty all around. That beauty can be in the tiny flowers that are
starting to blossom or simply the newly green ground all around us.
However,
after the snow from the long winter has finally melted, the world we see as we
walk is not always pretty. There are candy wrappers, disposable coffee cups, crumpled
plastic and paper bags, and all other manner of trash people simply did not
bother to dispose of properly. Like me, I’m sure you’ve seen people throwing
garbage out of the windows of their car as they drive along, most of the time
fast-food wrappers or paper cups. They could not be bothered to wait and throw
it in a proper trash can or recycle it.
There
is a new craze to clean up this garbage which is called plogging. Originating
in Sweden, the activity involves joggers picking up litter as they go along.
But why not clean up the environment while staying fit by simply walking? And
it is something we can do anywhere with our grandchildren to show them that we
can all do our part for a better and cleaner environment, and teach them that
rubbish impacts animals and our water supply.
Why
not also think of plogging this summer along shorelines while vacationing. If
enough people get involved in cleaning up the environment, surely more and more
people will be shamed into follow suit.
Of
course, you need to be prepared for plogging. To protect yourself, gloves are a
must. Gardening gloves are ideal. Also you should carry a reusable and washable
shopping bag, compostable bag or other small receptacle.
Happy
plogging.
