Anshu Anish, Indian, housewife

I have read about plogging. But I have not seen that happening in Dubai. I go for a walk in Dubai Creek area every morning. But that area is always clean by 6-6:30am. I have done clean-up volunteering at railway stations during school days back home. So I am not ashamed of picking up trash thrown by others. But I think it will look weird if I am doing it alone, so it will be a good idea if small groups of people can start doing it. Then others will also get interested and it will spread. There are areas like the Al Ghubaiba bus and metro stations where people litter a lot, especially on Fridays. It will be good to do plogging in such places.

Val John Paul Jagmis, Filipino, production coordinator

I go for a walk with my sister in Satwa Park near my apartment. Sometimes we see plastic bags and other litter and we have picked them up and put them in the trash can. Back in our country, you can be penalised for throwing trash. So it is in our culture not to litter and if we see some trash we will pick it up and put it in the bin. So in effect, it is a similar initiative, though it has not been called plogging. It will give us some satisfaction of giving back to the society. Bending and picking up trash also makes for a spot of exercise. Though a small act by an individual, it is a big step for the environment.

I think this concept will spread here also if some people start doing it. It will also raise awareness among those who litter. When they see people picking up trash they leave behind, they will be discouraged to throw trash around.

Margaret Mandaine, Kenyan, advertising professional

Dubai is a unique place. If there is any community programme, people do join. I think plogging is a good idea for Dubai and any place for that matter. I am happy to be involved in that kind of a movement here. I would also like to spread the word about it. Back in my country, we would go in a group and try and clean up streets occasionally. If you compare with other countries, Dubai is generally clean. The government is doing its best. But I see people littering. [particularly] in crowded places. So such community initiatives can help. We can be role models for kids.”