“The cleanest cities are not where people clean the most, but where they litter the least.” Founder of plogging Erik Ahlström on litter as a new normal, community clean-ups and leading by example

Erik Ahlström, the Swedish founder of plogging, believes that the cleanest cities are not defined by how much people clean, but by how little they litter. Ahlström, who started the trend in 2016, spoke with Gazeta about the journey of plogging from a personal habit to an international movement.

He explained that plogging, a combination of jogging and picking up litter, has gained global traction. Ahlström highlighted the importance of community clean-up events and leading by example to foster a culture where littering is unacceptable. He stressed that individuals should not feel ashamed to pick up "someone else's" trash, framing it as a collective responsibility for environmental well-being.

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The cleanest cities are not where people clean the most, but where they litter the least.

Ahlström's initiative encourages people to integrate environmental consciousness into their daily routines, particularly during physical activities like running. The movement aims to raise awareness about pollution and promote sustainable practices worldwide, demonstrating that simple actions can lead to significant environmental impact.

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picking up “someone else’s” litter should never be a cause for shame.