Earth Day comes just once a year, but caring for our Mother Earth should be something we think about every day. As runners we have a special opportunity simply because most of us spend a good deal of our time on the road and trails, breathing the air, and appreciating the beauty of our world. Not sure what to do? Here are 5 ways runners can celebrate Earth Day, every day of the year.
This post contains affiliate lnks.
How Runners Can Celebrate Earth Day
Get Out and Run
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to get outside and do what we love to do most: run? Get out there and reflect on the importance of our planet, fresh air, clear skies, and what it means to you, as a runner, a parent, a human being.
Plogging
In a nutshell, plogging is the act of cleaning up the planet while you’re out there running or walking. The word itself is Swedish, combining the verbs plocka upp (pick up) and jogga (jog). Those Swedes! They gave us the word ‘fartlek’ too, allowing even the most mature runner to get a giggle from a running term.
To plog, simply head out for your run with a trash bag and a pair of disposable gloves and pick up as you go. It’s a little sad how much trash you can pick up in just a short period of time. Then, of course, find a trash can or recycle bin and dispose of your finds. It’s such a great way for runners to celebrate Earth Day.
Pack in, Pack Out
This camping term applies to running too. Have you ever noticed empty gel packets on the run or after a race? Come on, man! We runners need to clean that sh*t up! And masks! They belong in the trashcan, which are usually very accessible. And of course, those of you who run with your dogs, please clean up after them, and toss that little baggie full of joy in the appropriate place.
Go Meat-free for Earth Day
The industrial meat industry produces more greenhouse gasses than transportation. In addition, half the methane and two-thirds of the nitrous oxide released by humans is created by crop and livestock production.
Research has shown that if everyone went vegetarian for just one day, the U.S would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide and save 100 billion gallons of water. Going meat-free for one day is a great way for runners to celebrate Earth Day. Just imagine doing it once a week!
Support Companies that Make a Difference
It takes a village to make big changes and that’s why runners should support companies, like Adidas, that are truly making a difference. Watch the video Stories of Change to learn more about Adidas initiatives to help save the planet.
Made to Be Remade
Here are some of the ways that Adidas has become a driving force in environmental issues including ending plastic waste, greenhouse gas emission reduction, recycling, and sustainability.
End Plastic Waste
Adidas has partnered with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organization with a mission to fight the destruction of our oceans with plastic and other threats. Their Parley line uses ocean plastic to create running shoes, running, and other apparel. In 2019 Adidas intercepted the equivalent of 4.5 billion plastic bottles for use in its recycled apparel products. And in 2020, more than half of the polyester used in Adidas products came from recycled plastic waste, with the plan to use only recycled polyester by 2024.
Primeblue and Primegreen
Adidas is changing how they create products by moving towards circular systems of returning and remaking. Products you won’t need to throw away. For example, Primeblue is a high-performance recycled material that is made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic. Primegreen is a series of high-performance recycled materials.
Greenhouse Emissions Reduction
Adidas aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of both its own activities and its suppliers by 30% by 2030 (compared to 2017).
The Better Cotton Initiative
Since 2018 Adidas has been sourcing 100% more sustainably produced cotton mainly from the Better Cotton Initiative. They have been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Initiative for the last 20 years.
I feel better knowing that I’m wearing clothing and shoes made to actually help the environment.
Here are some of the stylish and sustainable products from Adidas. All are made with Primeblue, Primegreen, or sustainably produced cotton.
Earth Day is April 22, 2021. Do you have any plans to celebrate?
And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Inspire Me Monday with Janet
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, Laura, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
Wow, I’m impressed with Adidas using recycled plastic waste for its products!
I hope many more companies will copy that example – and I hope that consumers will pay attention to that when they buy new gear.
There should be plogging events like there are virtual races, with runners taking photos of their collected trash. Why has nobody thought of that yet?
I think it’s sad that plogging is necessary but it does make me feel good when I get out there and do it. I think a plogging event would be a great idea. Maybe we should organize one!
These are great ideas for ways we can celebrate earth day! Its crazy how much litter can be found outside. Nowadays I see masks on the ground just about every day!
It really annoys me at how many masks are lying around (and gloves too). Cloth ones too. Though I once lost a mask that I’d tucked in my waistband so I get that it can sometimes happen. It was a Ragnar mask too and it still bothers me that I lost it. 🙂
I didn’t know any of that about Adidas! Thank you so much for sharing. There’s a hill very close to the city with a nice trail to the top. One of my old High School teachers climbs up every weekend with a bag in hand and collects rubbish on his way up and down. He has been doing it for years. I think I should do that the next time I go up.
It’s a great feeling when you plog. It’s a shame that it’s necessary though.
Great ideas. I will definitely run.
I never understand why people buy bottles of water. Such a waste.
Bottled water is such a waste. Even worse when they just throw it on the ground or in the water when they’re done with it.
I’m just waiting for stores to let me use my own grocery bags again! We have so many plastic bags; I bring them to be recycled, but are they really? It’s interesting how everyone is so aware of how bad plastic is for the environment, yet more and more companies are selling single-serve products. Crazy.
I’m just loving those red patterned tights!
I love those tights! They feel and fit really well too.
The stores here have let us bring in bags for a while. And they’re back to charging a dime is we don’t bring our own. At first we had to bag them ourselves (and at Trader Joes we still do), but now most places will do it. I always felt so guilty having to use the plastic bags.
I just saw a bunch of clothing, online, that’s made with recycled plastic. YAY!!!!! It’s nice to see this movement in full swing 😉 I am totally on board with plogging…I’ll be doing a bit of that tomorrow!
I love that more companies are becoming more socially conscious. It’s about time. I want to plog tomorrow but I’m doing a virtual half marathon. I’m not sure if that would go together. I’ll probably do it today instead.
I am always amazed how disrespectful people can be by leaving so much trash out there. Thanks for reminding us all how we can do our part to better the environment
It really makes me angry to see how much trash is just tossed on the ground. I’ve even seen it at the base of a trash can. I mean really, you can’t bother to make that last few inches?
Earth Day is my birthday so I celebrate every year! 🙂 I love the idea of blogging, I think it is so important and often overlooked!
Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great one and celebrated by doing a little plogging! 🙂
Litter makes me crazy! I don’t understand why people do it and have gotten into more than one verbal altercation after witnessing someone throw trash on the ground. I’ve picked up trash on my runs before but since COVID have been hesitant to touch anything but now I will carry a glove…duh.
I had no idea Adidas was so earth conscious.
You definitely need a glove. Next time I think I’ll bring hand sanitizer too. It just feels safer. I really hate seeing all the trash that people throw down.
I think litter has become even more of a problem in the Pandemic. I don’t know why, it’s as if people just don’t give a damn anymore. 🙁
Thanks for letting us know about all that Addidas does!
It’s sad that people seem to feel that way. After all, we only have one Earth, let’s take care of her!
Wow, that is very cool about Addidas- I didn’t know that!
Thanks for the point about going meat-free. It really would help if people just cut down on their meat consumption. Or, a lot of times I’ll hear people say “I could be vegan but I just love ice cream too much.” So, be vegan except eat ice cream! It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. There’s no vegan/vegetarian policeman who’s going to tell you you’re not doing it perfectly. We all just need to do what we can.
Plus there’s some amazing vegan ice cream these days. And cheese (that’s the one I hear most ofter).
Great tips! I haven’t plogged yet, but I know some running groups have coordinated events to clean up the trails, which I think is great! I really love what I’m seeing from Adidas and hope other brands follow suit!
I do know that some other brands are taking steps too (based on all the emails I got on Earth Day with their accomplishments lol). It feels good when you get out and plog or do trail clean up. Like you’re doing something helpful for the planet.
I’ve been trying to be more aware of my consumption and how much of a footprint I leave, especially in things like trail running. In Georgia this past weekend it was enforced multiple times for us to be very clean. I even picked up trash I saw another runner leave on the trails which made me very sad, but I had to get rid of it properly.
Good for you. I’m glad that races are getting more eco-conscious. It’s so important.
Yes! All of these are spot on! I love all the new things from adidas! I really want a pair of their Miami Hurricanes running shoes but i can’t find them to try on 🙁
I’m loving what Adidas is doing lately, especially the fact that they are trying to be so eco-conscious.
I appreciate how much Adidas is doing to reduce plastic waste! I have several of their pieces and they feel so comfortable – and I feel good wearing them.