Former Ulladulla High School students Sarah Mudge and Edie Contor, both 19, are hosting a beach clean-up day at Narrawallee Inlet on Saturday.

The pair have grown up “right next to the beach” and want to raise awareness about how damaging plastics are to the oceans and coastal ecosystems.

“It’s important that people our age do it because we are the up and coming adults. We’ve got to set an example for everyone who is coming after us,” Ms Mudge said.

The clean up will start at 10.30am where the group will split up to cover the car park, inlet, nature walk and beach. Gloves and rubbish bags will be provided.

“Instead of just saying ‘you can only find rubbish on the beach’, all those gutters, they lead to the ocean,” Ms Mudge said. 

“It’s all connected so it’s raising awareness that it's not only on the beach, but it's everywhere you go.”

Rubbish sorting will follow the clean up and the hosts have planned to prepare an artwork that children, who come along, can help create with the plastic they find throughout the afternoon.

To motivate young adults and teenagers to join, a picnic and clothes swap will start after the rubbish sorting. Local artist Chloe Dadd will play live music throughout the afternoon. 

The pair also encouraged participants to prepare a plastic free picnic – use old jars, bring cutlery and food in reusable bags. 

“We just want a fun day,” Ms Contor said.

Ms Contor and Ms Mudge agreed that Narrawallee was a “beautiful” beach and that they don’t live in a “trashy area”.

However, some people may be shocked about what they find especially when it comes to microplastic – plastic grounded down into small debris.

“All our oceans are connected and we just want to show people ... they will be surprised at what we actually do find. Although it is beautiful, and it is clean, there is more than you think,” Ms Contor said.

“You don’t see it until you’re looking,” Ms Mudge said.