Every Wednesday, a waste collection takes place in the streets of Nice. This activity, called Nice Plogging, is organized by the association Everyday.earth.
With gloves and garbage bags in hand, about ten people were present to participate in a waste pick-up in downtown Nice. An annual collection that takes place every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., starting from Place du Pin. For young and old alike!
A Collection in Good Spirits
While the activity might seem a bit “burdensome”, it is done in good spirits. Here, tasks are shared; if some take care of the cigarette butts, others collect the plastic. “Are you handling the glass? Here, I have something for you!”. Conversation, laughter, the group marches through the city center of Nice, searching for trash. For some, it’s also a way to exercise while doing a good deed. “This is my first time here, and I plan to return every Wednesday. I find this action very good and friendly. Plus, we’re making a small gesture for the planet while getting a bit of exercise!” notes one participant.
Acting on One’s Scale
Nice Plogging is a mix between jogging and waste collection. A concept that comes from Sweden and is gradually arriving in France. The goal is simple: act on one’s scale. “Everyone is capable of making a small change,” explains Wim Kiezenberg, founder of the association Everyday.earth. “If a million, ten million, a billion people make a small action each week, the effects over a year will be enormous. It’s not possible to make a real change all at once, but by acting each day, we have impacts,” he continues. That’s the idea of Nice Plogging, doing a little bit each week to gradually approach an “ideal.”
Raising Awareness
Through this collection, the goal is also to raise awareness. Some passersby see the group picking up trash, which may lead them to ask questions and become aware of certain things.
