"Clean & Run", the largest plogging campaign in Romania, will take place this fall in Băneasa Forest

Bucharest, 25.10.2019: On October 5, 2019, members of the Greenfield Residence community together with Băneasa Forest Run organize in Băneasa Forest, the first edition of “Clean & Run”, the largest plogging initiative in Romania. 

What is plogging and who is it for? 

The concept of plogging appeared in Sweden in 2016, and involves combining running with waste collection, as a proof of responsibility towards the environment. In the context of international concern for plastic waste, plogging has quickly become popular around the world, being suitable for people of all ages, passionate about jogging and maintaining a clean environment. Runners take bags or garbage bags with them and, on the chosen route, collect the found garbage. At the same time, they can opt for new routes on which to run and collect the waste thrown in public spaces. Plogging therefore combines physical activity with social activity, bringing benefits to both practitioners and the environment. 

 "Plogging or ecological jogging is a phenomenon that is becoming more widespread worldwide and we want to make it known and sympathized among Romanians, because it unites two values ​​that we actively promote: movement and environmental protection . It is an alternative to classic jogging, which offers practitioners the opportunity, on the one hand, to enjoy the benefits of outdoor sports, and on the other hand to act in a civic spirit, for the benefit of nature and the community. Moreover, parents who come with children can provide them with a model for their education as healthy adults, with respect and care for the environment in which they live. The action we are organizing this fall is an invitation addressed to all responsible citizens in terms of nature and, implicitly, a healthy life ", said Răzvan Ionescu, Marketing Director at Impact Developer & Contractor, Greenfield’s Residence developer. 

How will the event take place? 

Even if it will be done in running, the race is a non-competitive one and it is aimed at people of all ages, adults and children, joggers or beginners. The organizers will provide participants with a kit that will include all necessary materials: plastic bags and protective gloves. Registrations should be made until October 3, 2019 on the event page: cleanandrun.ro. The participants, organized in 4 teams, will have a route of 5-7 km and they will cover together over 20 kilometers of alleys and paths in the forest, in about 2 hours. The collected waste will be taken over by the sanitation company Romprest, supporter of the event. 

The event is supported by Let’s Do It, Romania!, Radio ZU, Romprest and Romsilva. 

The situation of waste in Romania and the impact on the environment 

Romania annually produces 270 million tons of municipal waste, of which only 13% is recycled. According to the targets set by the European Waste Framework Directive, by 2020 we should recycle 50% of municipal waste (including at least paper, metal, plastic and glass). Garbage dumped in nature pollutes the environment because it is very difficult to degrade. A plastic bag decomposes in 10 to 20 years, aluminum cans degrade in 200 years, while plastic containers last up to 500 years. During all this time, their chemicals contaminate the soil, affecting the quality of the flora, fauna and the overall health of the population. Plogging is an initiative that encourages a healthy lifestyle and maintains a clean environment, the garbage collected being subsequently recycled. 

The impact of plogging on the health of the body 

Plogging has a visible impact not only on the environment, but also on the physical and mental health of practitioners. Practicing any type of sports contributes to a healthy lifestyle, helping the body to function properly and relieves stress. During the activity, the body performs various and more complex movements compared to the classic running, by performing geno flexions, squats and stretches. Thus, while in 30 minutes of jogging the body burns about 270 calories, during a plogging run of the same duration about 330 calories are consumed. 

All those who feel responsible for nature and want to show that the change comes from the initiative of every citizen, are invited to register for the plogging race on October 5, 2019, on the website: www.cleanandrun.ro.