Runners Are Turning This Simple Outdoor Workout Into a Major Side Hustle

Plogging is a popular form of exercise that involves getting in your cardio while picking up litter. The activity originated in Stockholm, Sweden, and the term combines “plocka upp”—which means “to pick up” in English—and jogging. Hence, plogging! It’s a mind-body feel-good activity—you’re picking up trash while jogging or running through parks or trails, and even on city sidewalks. It’s an amazing way to make a difference, keeping your community clean.

And that’s not all. Litter threatens our wildlife, water, oceans, and the overall environment in which we live and breathe. Every single plogger contributes to the environment. As far as the health benefits, it stands to reason you’ll maximize your workout and burn even more calories with the bending and squatting you’ll add to your normal jogging routine.

Plogging Is a Simple Way To Get in Your Cardio While Making Extra Cash

@ploggarun

1-12 plog - a brief year recap of some of my totals. Excited for what 2026 will bring once the snow finally melts and the trash reveals its self. Thank you for watching this video and interacting with my content, please send this video to someone who should go pick up some trash with you #plogging #maine #running #trash #litter

♬ original sound - ploggarun

In addition to doing something good for your community, plogging can be a great way to make some extra cash. Take some inspiration from the many ploggers documenting their journeys on TikTok. 

TikTok user @ploggarun is an avid plogger. In fact, he posted a video showing how he makes some extra pocket money, telling his followers, “Let’s go pick up some trash ... This is the series where I take advantage of my state’s bottle bill to earn a little bit of extra money while I exercise.”

In another video, the TikToker noted that he earned $400 in a year by simply multi-tasking—picking up bottles and cans while running.

Find a Plogging Event Near You—or Start Your Own

So if you’re curious and inspired, check out one of the many plogging events scheduled across the country—and world—or start your own. It’s a passionate community activity that more and more people are getting involved in each year.

To get started, grab a bag and lace up your sneakers for Saturday, March 14, 2026 in New York City. A plogging event will be hosted by non-profit organization New York Road Runners (NYRR). There will be a two-mile United Airlines NYC Half Plogging event kicking off at the NYRR RUNCENTER. Runners will basically run and pick up litter along the way. Former elite marathoner and environmental advocate Tina Muir will be a guest of honor. You can reserve your spot here.

This particular plogging event is a precursor to the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon that takes place the next day on Sunday, March 15, where over 30,000 runners of all levels will participate.

Can’t make the NYC event? No problem. Consider hosting the 2026 World Plogging Championship (WPC) in your own community. You simply need to submit your candidature before April 5, 2026 at 12 p.m. For more information, click here.

Many hosted road race events combine their marathons with plogging along the course. For instance, the Newport, Rhode Island Road Races and plogging will take place on April 18, 2026, in conjunction with Earth Month. Volunteers will walk or jog two to five miles in order to keep the course in their community clean.

With a quick plogging search on the web, you'll find an event that's most convenient to you. Happy plogging!