On 2 October, a groundbreaking national initiative named the India Plog Run 2019 took place, aiming to combat the escalating threat of plastic pollution by involving citizens, the most influential stakeholders in environmental conservation.

More than 28 lakh people participated in the “Fit India Plog Run,” inaugurated by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on 2 October. The Plog Run garnered support from prominent entities such as FICCI, CII, PhD Chambers, Assocham, and other national players in health, industry, and government, emphasizing the necessity to reduce plastic consumption and promote healthier waste management practices. Notable contributors to the event included United Way India, Go Native, Art of Living, Earth Day Network Daan, Utsav, Swachh Bharat Mission, Airbnb, FabHotels, PepsiCo, Hasiru Dala Innovations, and WWF.

This initiative integrates three earlier government programs — Fit India, Clean India, and Plastic-free India. Coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti (Bapu’s 150th birth anniversary) and marking five years of the Swachh Bharath Abhiyan, the Run spanned over 50 cities across India.

In 2018, the Bengaluru edition of the Plog Run resulted in the collection of 33.4 tons of plastic waste by over 7,000 participants in under 12 hours, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Plog Run has evolved into a significant community-driven activity. This year’s participation was substantial, with over 21,000 individuals cleaning up Noida, over 1,500 in the national capital, and approximately 41,131 regional Fit India events organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and the National Service Scheme (NSS). Additionally, five lakh students and 1.25 lakh parents reportedly joined the plog run through a partnership with Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Plogging, derived from the Swedish words “plokka upp” (pick up) and jogging, involves jogging or walking while collecting plastic waste along a predetermined route in the participant’s chosen locality. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijuju emphasizes the dual benefits of fitness for individuals and cleanliness for nations. The trend, born in Sweden in 2016, has gained popularity as awareness of plastic pollution has grown.

The Plog Run was not limited to a single city; it reached various locations including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. In Delhi, the police organized the ‘Plog Run’ near the Yamuna river bed at Geeta Colony. Bengaluru saw a remarkable success with 7.5 tons of plastic waste collected from 43 areas in the city, handed over to the local civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Ploggers extended their efforts to 17 lakes in the city, contributing to the broader goal of environmental sustainability.