Skip to content

Bristol student plogger aims to clean 30 cities in 30 days

VIVEK GURAV Vivek is stood up holding a litter picker and bag in a built-up area of BristolVIVEK GURAV
Vivek Gurav wants to inspire people to "start their own groups"

A student who set up a litter-picking community is planning to tour 30 cities in 30 days across the UK in a fight against climate change.

Vivek Gurav has been collecting rubbish and has picked up 5,000kg of waste while out running in Bristol, an activity known as 'plogging'.

Mr Gurav, 26, said: "I want to set-up a UK-wide plogging community like I did back in India."

He added he wanted to inspire people so they could "start their own groups".

Mr Gurav, who came to Bristol last year to study for a masters degree in environmental policy and management, first started a community plogging campaign in his home city of Pune, in India.

Over the past four years, he has covered 420 miles (675km) litter picking on 120 "plogging missions".

Vivek Gurav Vivek standing outside 10 Downing StreetVivek Gurav
Mr Gurav said going to 10 Downing Street was the best thing that had happened to him

Mr Gurav's plogging efforts saw him feature on the BBC's The One Show to pick up a special award from former prime minister, Boris Johnson.

In October, he was invited to 10 Downing Street by the new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and in November he spoke at COY17 - the youth version of the COP27 climate summit.

Mr Gurav, who studies at the University of Bristol, said: "The climate conference was amazing and a real opportunity. The award from the prime minister really motivated me to do more, and going to 10 Downing Street, that was the best thing that has happened to me."

Vivek Gurav Lots of litter picking volunteers stand around Vivek Gurav listening to his session in the centre of BristolVivek Gurav
Mr Gurav is encouraging people to join his plogging community, offering weekly sessions for people to get involved

The 26-year-old hopes to be joined by fellow ploggers, environmentalists and keen runners as he visits each city via public transport to litter pick across the country.

During December, Mr Gurav will be plogging in Derby, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Leicester, Birmingham and Worcester.

Vivek Gurav Group photo of the Pune PloggersVivek Gurav
Mr Gurav named the plogging community in India the Pune Ploggers

He also hopes the community project will have a "positive effect" on mental health, as that was a "key aspect" of the plogging community he had developed in India.

Over the past four years, his volunteers there have collected more than one million kilograms of litter.

Vicek Gurav Vivek Gurav standing outside the University of Bristol holding his mastersVicek Gurav
Mr Gurav graduated with a master's in environmental policy and management

He said: "Now I get asked all the time by Indian people how they can come and study in the UK. They want to follow my path. It feels good to be able to help."

He says he plans to use the skills he has learned in the UK to help make India and the rest of the world more sustainable.

Vivek Gurav Vivek bending down on the side of the road and picking up litterVivek Gurav
Mr Gurav hopes to inspire others to set up plogging groups around the country
Presentational grey line

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]

Banner saying 'Get in touch'

What creative ways has your family recycled different kinds of packaging? Please get in touch by emailing: [email protected].

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at [email protected]. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.