Plogging  is the act of picking up litter while running—the name combines the Swedish term “plokka upp,” which means “to pick up,” and “jogging.” The goal of the exercise: To pick up rubbish along your route and help offset the amount of plastic winding up in oceans (a whopping 8 million tons of plastic according to the Ocean Conservancy).

Not only is plogging  a simple way to contribute to the beautification of your community, it can help you get more from your run, too. Here, are three good reasons bring a (reusable!) trash bag on your next run.

1. Bring awareness

You might not think the area you live in has a litter issue, but looking for waste could be eye opening. Plogging can make you more mindful of your local area. Litter doesn’t typically stay where it lands, and seeing how the rubbish in your community is causing buildup in sewer systems or affecting wildlife can help you be more thoughtful about waste disposal.

2. Purpose

When long distance runs start to feel endless, you can use the distraction of plogging to your advantage, switching your mind’s focus to spotting rubbish can keep you from thinking about how tired your legs are, or how much further you have to go.

3. Fell good factor

The next time you’re getting in steps as a family or strapping your kids into the jogging stroller, give everyone a trash bag to fill. Plogging can keep everyone entertained, and help the environment.