A fire extinguisher, a spade and bucket, and a section of a boat's fibreglass have been uncovered during Tauranga pupils' latest efforts to keep their city clean.

Around 120 Brookfield primary students took part in the clean-up from Banks Avenue to Mauao, including Moturiki and Mount Drury.

Brookfield Primary pupils during yesterday's beach clean-up. Photos: Supplied.

During the two hours of scouring the area more than 200kgs of rubbish and recycling was gathered this week.

Along with the customary items such as a large numbers of bottles and cans, plastic bags and plastic containers, there was the fire extinguisher and the obligatory spade and bucket, says Tauranga City Council's pollution prevention officer Radleigh Cairns.

He says many of the items found could have been recycled, or reused rather than ending up polluting the local environment.

But it is great to see children getting into the spirit of the activities, adds Radleigh.

'The Mount beaches are our playgrounds, but even here there was plenty of rubbish to be found.

Radleigh says it's about not only collecting rubbish but taking on board the messages about recycling and sustainability.

'We know the kids will be talking to their friends and family about the day and encouraging them to do more to prevent pollution and reduce our impact which is what the day is all about.

'We also had members of the Pilot Bay Coastcare group helping, and it was nice to get some community involvement.”

Co-ordinated by Tauranga City Council, the clean ups – 10 across the year- are supported by Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga Envirohub.

They are done to educate pupils about the environment and what they can do to protect it.