Volunteer to Help Our County Waterways

What is plogging? It started as a fitness trend in Sweden! People organized picking up trash while jogging to better enjoy their route. They would post photos of them jogging and picking up trash to challenge others to do the same! The term “Plogging” is a combination of two Swedish words: “plocka upp” (to pick up) and “jogga” (to jog). The trend became popular on social media with everyone posting their photos and using #plogging. 

Do you plog? Plogging entails jogging/walking and quickly stopping to pick up trash while you go. MC Energy Connections launched #MontgomeryPlogs to encourage people to pick up trash on their normal walking/jogging route. The Plogging Challenge is a fun engaging way to raise awareness about stormwater pollution while providing Montgomery County residents the opportunity to take action and help with stormwater pollution prevention by cleaning up litter from streams, stormwater ponds, etc.

We are continuing the #PloggingChallenge! We want everyone in Montogmery County to keep plogging, or start if you haven’t joined us yet! Plogging is easy, many people realized they have been plogging for a long time already. We are all making a difference in reducing trash pollution together by plogging in our local neighborhoods. 

You can join the #PloggingChallenge on social media by taking a picture of yourself Plogging in Montgomery County and either tag our Instagram account @mygreenmc or use our hashtag #MontgomeryPlogs on Instagram. 

Join our Plogging program! 

Want supplies to pick up litter in your own neighborhood on your own time? Join our plogging program! Volunteers receive free supplies to do neighborhood cleanups anytime. For more information and how to register, sign up here: 

Please follow instructions provided during registration to report cleanup data! 

Storm drain markers help educate the public about our storm drain system. In Montgomery County the storm drains go directly into our rivers. Stormwater carries pollutants such as litter, pet waste, fertilizers, leaking auto fluids, or anything that ends on the ground directly into our waterways through storm drains.

The storm drain markers are installed quickly and easily using permanent adhesive. Help change behavior by organizing a storm drain marking project. Get support from the County’s Storm drain Marking Program to remind people that street litter flows directly into local waterways and organize your own storm drain marking event. Materials are provided via the Storm Drain Marking program.

 

The Storm Drain Art program uses art to educate the public about the connection between our storm drains, streams and the Bay. 

So far, storms drains have been painted at high visibility areas such as the Kensington and Aspen Hill Libraries, the White Oak community center and a couple of private storm drains.  

All storm drain art must be done under the direction of the Department of Environmental Protection. For additional information about the Storm Drain Art program, email Stream.Stewards@montgomerycountymd.gov

Montgomery County's Adopt A Road (AAR) program encourages residents and businesses in the County to participate in a community activity by keeping our roadsides litter free.

Currently there are more than 1,000 volunteers who have adopted over 350 road segments, cleaning over 600 miles of road in an effort to Keep Montgomery County Beautiful.