FREMONT, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska environmental advocacy nonprofit is dedicating the month of June to “plogging,” a Swedish fitness trend that’s gaining popularity in the U.S.

Plogging mixes fitness with environmentalism, as joggers pick up stray trash and litter during their exercise. The name combines the Swedish word for pick up, “plocka upp,” with jogging.

Keep Nebraska Beautiful plans to host activities through June to introduce residents to the sport with its affiliate groups, the Fremont Tribune reported .

Activities may include organizing group “plogs” or getting existing running or jogging groups involved, said Jane Polson, the nonprofit’s president. The nonprofit is working with its affiliate groups statewide, such as Keep Fremont Beautiful.

“It actually burns more calories than just jogging or walking because you stop and you pick up, and it takes more energy,” said Polson.

The organization is partnering with a fitness app Lifesum, which can track ploggers fitness habits.

“Plogging is brilliant because it is simple and fun, while empowering everyone to help create cleaner, greener and more beautiful communities,” said Mike Rosen, Keep America Beautiful’s senior vice president of marketing and communications. “All you need is running gear and a bag for trash or recyclables, and you are not only improving your own health, but your local community too.”

Leila Hybl, executive director of Keep Fremont Beautiful, hopes the group’s “plogging month” event will demonstrate how residents can make a positive environmental impact on a statewide level by working together.

“If we care about the environment, we need to show that,” she said. “We can’t just count on our elected officials to make everything happen.”

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