‘Plogging’ The group keeping fit while helping keep streets clean
ASTUDENT who started a global “plogging’’ movement which sees people jog and pick up litter has brought his scheme to Britain.
Vivek Gurav, 26, began his project in India – and now has more than 10,000 volunteers around the world.
Plogging sees people run for fun and collect rubbish and aims to curb the climate crisis “one bit of plastic at a time”.
Vivek, who set up a running group in India, is now planning to do the same in Bristol.
He is hopeful he can keep topping the success of the scheme in a bid to fight the climate emergency.
Plogging was started in Sweden, but ‘Pune Ploggers’ in India, founded by Vivek, is the largest community of ploggers in a single city.
It has collected more than 40,000 kilograms of plastic.
Vivek came to Bristol last September to study for a masters degree in environmental policy and management.
But he started his climate cleanup journey back in 2014 when he was 19.
He said: “Bristol Ploggers will be an important step towards helping citizens act locally for a global
❝Bristol Ploggers will be an important step towards helping citizens act locally for a global impact. Climate crisis has already hit us. It’s time to start acting now
Vivek Gurav
impact. Climate crisis has already hit us. It’s time to start acting now.
“Let’s join communities acting to fight climate change and make conscious choices.
“Communities can bring a change in mindset, and this is crucial for a mass awakening towards climate change and to make governments worldwide act now.”
The activist created a community plogging campaign in his home city of Pune in 2019.
Two years later there are now more than 10,000 volunteers helping to curb plastic pollution and taking action on the climate emergency.
In February he took on a 30-day plogging challenge to collect 4kg (9lbs) of litter daily, while running a minimum distance of 4km (2.4miles).
Vivek hopes to launch a Bristol Ploggers team, as he has been joined by 12 other volunteers and has received interest from up to 40 people.
He said he hoped the community project would also have a “positive effect” on mental health.
Vivek said: “I want to provide a safe space where people can talk about their troubles in life, a place where people can share their anxieties and fears.
“Making it a game means that people better enjoy litter-picking, it increases motivation and people keep coming back for more sessions.’’
The University of Bristol, where Vivek studies, is helping to provide litter-picking equipment for him and his team.
Professor Sarah Purdy, the university’s pro-vice-chancellor for student experience, said: “Vivek’s passion for the environment is inspirational.
“It’s fantastic to see someone use their skills and drive to make a difference, both here and in India.” she said.