Environmental awareness is growing globally as it becomes increasingly clear that immediate action, however small, is essential. Innovative solutions to combat pollution are emerging at a rapid pace, with one such movement gaining notable momentum: plogging—an activity that combines jogging with litter collection. This unique blend of fitness and environmental stewardship is resonating worldwide, and this September, North London’s Luke Douglas-Home, known as The Coastline Runner, will represent the UK at the World Plogging Championships in Italy.
In a recent interview with London Live, Luke shared his journey as an environmentalist, highlighting how he has integrated his passion for running coasts and canals with his commitment to tackling pollution and engagement with schools and councils.
What is Plogging?
Plogging, a concept that originated in Sweden, is a fusion of the words "plocka upp" (to pick up) and "jogging." This growing global initiative serves as both a workout and an environmental cleanup. Luke humorously coined the term "absurious" to describe The World Plogging Championship —a combination of the words "absurd" and "serious." The idea of running while picking up trash might seem absurd at first glance, but the seriousness of our planet's pollution crisis, particularly plastic waste, underscores the importance of this activity.
Luke’s Journey to the Championships
Luke, known as The Coastline Runner, has dedicated years to running along the UK’s coastlines, collecting plastic and other pollutants while raising awareness about the dire environmental issues facing our oceans. His efforts have resonated with local communities, schools, and councils, where he has been a vocal advocate for addressing the "plastification" of our ocean.
Luke's path to the World Plogging Championships began when he realized his regular runs—often involving litter collection along London's canals—aligned with the concept of plogging. From the world of plogging, he wants more schools, and council and business involvement from it always (built in?)
After qualifying for the championships through his efforts, including tackling significant elevation gains on hills like Primrose Hill, Luke is ready to take on this challenging event once again. Although he performed well last year, he was disqualified after accidentally venturing out of the competition area. This time, he’s determined to stay on course and will try to get....... MEDALS!
What Does it Take to Win?
The World Plogging Championships, set to take place in Gandino and Bergamo, Italy, from September 27th to 29th, require participants to demonstrate both endurance and environmental impact. Competitors must traverse long distances, often over hilly terrain, while collecting as much litter as possible along the way. Elevation plays a crucial role, as runners face the challenge of conquering steep slopes while amassing significant amounts of waste.
However, success isn’t just measured by the quantity of litter collected—it’s also about the quality. Luke emphasized the importance of understanding CO2 equivalents (CO2e) when evaluating the environmental impact of different types of waste. CO2e is the metric that we must ALL understand and use – it measures the GHG impact of everything, including the farming, production, bottling, transportation, and disposal of products, from PET plastic water bottles (80g) to bananas (100g). For instance, picking up an aluminium can is more impactful than collecting certain plastics. Luke believes that strategically focusing on high-impact waste is key to winning at the championships.
Building Team GB for the World Team Plogging Championship
Luke’s ambitions extend beyond his individual efforts. After the September event, he is determined to assemble a ‘Team GB’ for the Team World Plogging Championships in Genoa, Italy, this November. During the interview, he invited Londoners and others across the UK to join him in forming a plogging team to compete on the world stage. In preparation, he will be hosting a plogging event in September along London’s canals and hills, offering potential teammates a chance to showcase their energy, fitness, enthusiasm and dedication to the cause.
The Message Behind Plogging
Plogging is more than just an athletic challenge; it’s a call to action. Luke’s message is clear: waste pollution is pervasive, and we all share the responsibility of cleaning it up. “Pack it in! Put it in the bin!” he exclaims. From the canals of London to the shores of Italy, the objective is to leave no trace behind while raising awareness about environmentally sustainable practices. Luke’s work serves as a powerful reminder that each of us can contribute to respecting our beautiful world, one piece of litter at a time.
Luke also expressed surprise at the limited recycling initiatives for aluminium cans in London, noting their significant value compared to single-use plastics. He hopes that his participation in events like the World Plogging Championships will inspire policy changes and ignite more community-driven cleanup efforts.
Join the Movement
If you’re inspired by Luke’s passion and want to get involved, there are several ways to take action. You can join him for the upcoming plogging event in London this September or support Team GB as they prepare for the world stage in November. Plogging offers an accessible and rewarding way to make a tangible difference while staying active.
For more information, follow @thecoastlinerunner on Instagram and Facebook, or visit thecoastlinerunner.com to learn how you can contribute to this growing movement. Together, we can take steps—quite literally—toward a cleaner, greener world.
Are you ready to lace up your running shoes and help combat pollution? Let’s make plogging the next big thing!
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