The annual clean-up day was started 20 years ago by Ian Kiernan, a Sydney builder and yachtsman who returned from a solo round-the-world yacht trip in 1987 with a fire in his belly to clean up the world's oceans, starting with Sydney Harbour.

More than 40,000 Sydneysiders took part in the first clean-up in 1989, pulling from their beloved harbour and its sparkling beaches rusted car bodies, plastic, glass bottles and cigarette butts by the tonne. The event went nationwide the following year, with more than 300,000 people emu bobbing their way around Australia's towns, beaches, creeks and parks.

Environment Minister Gavin Jennings said about 1600 tonnes of rubbish was collected by volunteers in Victoria during last year's Clean Up Australia Day; 13 per cent was cigarette butts and almost 50 per cent of it could have been recycled in kerbside collections.

"The majority of this rubbish was found in our beach and coastal regions," he said.

BYO gloves to the following clean up locations on Sunday:

■ Mt Eliza foreshore: meet at the Sea Scouts hall on Williams Road beach, park at the end of Williams Road and walk along the lane off the north side of the car park; 10am-noon.

■ Mornington, Tanti Creek: meet at Hunters Bridge crossing in Pentecost Road; 9.30am-noon.

■ Mornington, Mills Beach: meet at footbridge over Tanti Creek at Mills Beach; 9am to noon.

■ Mornington, Fishermans Beach: meet at the rotunda on Linley Point at the southern end of the beach; 9-11am.

■ Mt Martha: meet at 190 Forest Drive; 9am-noon.

■ Mt Martha Beach North: meet at car park on the Esplanade near Hearn Road; 9.30am-12.30pm.

■ Mt Martha Beach South: meet at car park on the Esplanade near Watson Road; 9am-noon.

■ Mt Martha foreshore: meet at yacht club car park; 8.30-11.30am.

■ McCrae: meet at the lighthouse car park; 9am-noon.

■ Rosebud foreshore: meet at pier car park; 9-11am.