Step up, step out and start plogging this month to keep Australia clean.

Clean Up Australia has launched a new initiative to encourage Aussies to join their PLOG-A-THON and clean-up their community.

Plogging is the combination of two words – “jogging” and the Swedish phrase for pick up, “plocka upp”.

It means you keep up your fitness and make a difference, all while maintaining your social distance.

The PLOG-A-THON is set to be the country’s biggest plogging event and, according to Clean Up Australia Chairman Pip Kiernan, it’s an ideal way to get essential exercise while cleaning up your neighbourhood.

“We’re conscious that Australians are going a bit stir-crazy with the lockdown and yet we’re creating more waste than ever, so plogging is a great way to get out safely in your local area and do something for the environment,” she said.

The organisation created the event in a bid to fill the gaps left by the cancellation of its regular clean ups to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions.

The pandemic has caused a surge in plastic waste and it is feared this increase in single-use plastics will have long-term impacts on the environment.

Many coffee shops have banned reusable cups, while cafes and restaurants have only been offering home delivery or takeaway options, with most not allowing customers to bring their own containers.

The PLOG-A-THON will take place until the end of August, with participants paying a $20 fee and receiving a Plogging Kit containing gloves, bags and hand sanitiser.

As with traditional walk-a-thons and other fun runs, you can register as an individual or join a virtual team, setting targets for fundraising, distance covered and litter collection.

All funds raised will enable Clean Up Australia to provide educational resources and clean up materials free of charge to school and youth groups, educating the next generation on the importance of protecting and caring for the environment.

“This year, Clean Up Australia Day took place on 1 March, just before restrictions came into place, and we had almost 700,000 Australians get out to clean up, which was incredible,” Ms Kiernan said.

“It’s sobering to think of the changes that have occurred in the recent weeks and startling to consider the uptick in demand for single-use plastics as a result of the pandemic.”