The Kansas City Plogtober competition is returning this October, and Johnson County needs your help.

 “Plogging” is a Swedish term used to describe picking up litter while running, a way to beautify our community through physical activity. The county is participating in the 2023 metro-wide plogging competition, organized by the Mid-America Regional Council.

The competition, taking place Oct. 1-31, pits counties throughout the metro against one another to see who can get the highest turnout of ploggers. To participate, you can either:

1. Sign up for an organized cleanup on Oct. 14 or 21 (Johnson County's date is Oct. 21).
2. Sign up as a “virtual plogger” and pick up litter on your own block any day in October.

Sign up now online. You can participate at one of the following locations:

• Turkey Creek North
• Turkey Creek South
• Rolling Ridge Trail
• Indian Creek (Overland Park)

By participating, you can help Johnson County earn the title of Kansas City’s Top Ploggers. The county with the highest volunteer count (each volunteer must travel at least one mile and fill at least one bag) will earn the title. Share your haul on social media, and you could win an individual prize too!

Plogtober is a great way to get outdoors and get exercise while beautifying the community. Trash on the ground may eventually end up in our creeks, streams and rivers, and can cause pollution and kill wildlife.

Johnson County had the highest participation of any county in the KC metro during the 2021 plogging competition, and we’re hoping to reclaim our title this year!

Learn more about plogging and the Kansas City Plogtober Cleanup.