"Running While 'Jupjup' Again Today"... Do You Know 'Ssedam Running' That Combines Trash Picking and Exercise? [Heo Midam's Youth Report]

The 'Plogging' Craze of Picking Up Trash While Jogging
8 out of 10 MZ Generation Say "They Are Engaged in Environmental Protection Activities"
Experts Say "SNS Contributes to Spreading Positive Influence"

Due to COVID-19, the demand for delivery food has increased, leading to a rise in the use of disposable products. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article.

Editor's NoteHow is your youth remembered? From teenagers to college students and office workers, we deliver the joys and sorrows unique to 'youth.'

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] # College student Kim Mo (24) started 'plogging' activities last month, picking up trash while taking walks. Kim said, "There were many times when I frowned because of trash and cigarette butts scattered here and there while walking. Especially, I disliked how messy the area around trash bins was because of disposable takeout cups." She added, "I wondered if there was any way I could contribute even a little to these environmental issues, and then I learned about plogging." She continued, "The supplies needed for plogging are simple: a trash bag and disposable gloves, just two items. It's a win-win because I exercise while picking up trash."

Recently, a plogging craze has been sweeping among young people. Plogging is a compound word from the Swedish 'plocka upp,' meaning 'to pick up,' and the English 'jogging,' meaning running exercise. It refers to an environmental protection activity of picking up trash while walking or jogging. In Korean, it is also called 'Sseudam-daligi,' meaning 'running while collecting trash.' Experts analyze that social networking services (SNS) have influenced young people to actively engage in environmental protection.

Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, delivery and packaging orders have increased, causing a surge in plastic waste. According to the Ministry of Environment, in 2020, plastic waste increased by about 14.6% and vinyl waste by 11% compared to the previous year. These figures do not include waste collected from private residences such as apartments, so the actual amount of waste generated is expected to be much higher.

Given this situation, more young people empathize with the seriousness of environmental pollution. Office worker Jang Mo (26) said, "Since I work from home, I often order delivery food, and it seems like at least 10 disposable containers come each time." He added, "I feel guilty every time I eat delivery food. But there is no solution, so it's a problem." He continued, "These days, I try to reduce disposable containers by refraining from ordering delivery food and cooking at home."

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, some young people are directly engaging in environmental protection activities to tackle pollution. According to a survey by the growth management app Grow targeting 928 MZ generation members, 78.2% of respondents said they are 'actually participating in environmental protection activities.' Among them, 12.7% said they practice plogging.

Plogging is an exercise that started in Sweden in 2016. It became globally famous when Guðni J?hannesson, the President of Iceland, participated. As of the 29th, searching for plogging on Instagram yields about 41,000 posts.

One netizen posted a photo of a trash bag full of garbage, saying, "I have been picking up discarded trash one by one while hiking for several months." They added, "We must start with small actions to protect the environment. To respond quickly to environmental pollution, picking up trash and avoiding disposable products is the best."

Companies are also using plogging as part of their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) activities to attract MZ generation consumers. SK Innovation is conducting an in-house volunteer activity called 'Sanhaejinmi (Mountain, Sea, True Beauty) Plogging,' and Chung Yong-jin, Vice Chairman of Shinsegae Group, posted on his Instagram in April, saying, "On Earth Day (April 22), I practiced plogging at Emart Seongsu branch and its surroundings."

Experts analyze that young people are leading environmental protection through SNS. Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University's Department of Consumer Studies said, "Young generations actively share environmental protection know-how with others through SNS. The reason they post environmental protection actions on SNS is to communicate faster with others." She added, "The MZ generation, familiar with digital culture, also has the mindset to contribute to spreading positive influence online."