1 August was officially named this year’s Earth Overshoot Day, or the day when humans exhausted the earth’s natural resources for the year. While our shared ecological footprint may seem out of our control, there are steps we can take as individuals to move the date. One way is to turn our attention to the trash we produce. That’s where plogging comes in.

The term was coined by Erik Ahlström with the intention to create a local community of “proud litter pickers”. While the idea began in Sweden, it has quickly gained popularity worldwide.

The idea is simple enough—running (or strolling, cycling, skating) while keeping an eye out for litter to collect along the way. For the plogging community, the sport involves more than picking up trash. It means jogging with a purpose, bringing communities together and raising awareness about climate change in the process.

While plogging may be a small step in the battle for a cleaner environment, its popularity proves that even small actions have their place. The sport calls attention to the importance of individual actions and the power of a shared community goal.

Tips for setting up a plogging group in your area:

Start on social media. Create a group for interested ploggers in your area and pick a location to begin. Bring equipment. Most ploggers run with trash bags or recycled bags, and some wear gloves. Always try to recycle as much as possible. Share! Take pictures of your outing and help inspire others: #plogging

Looking for more motivation? Sign up your plogging team for World Clean-up Day on 15 September.