For the second year running, volunteers from architecture studio Woods Bagot spent a day cleaning up litter above and below the waterline at Manly, Sydney, as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility program.

Thirteen Woods Bagot staff scoured the Manly Cove shoreline for rubbish or donned dive and snorkeling gear to clear the Sydney Harbour seafloor in the high-traffic area.

The crack team recovered numerous thoughtlessly discarded pieces of debris including a submerged shopping trolley, an unfortunately frequent occurrence according to the dive hire company.

Organiser Nathaniel Steward, Designer at Woods Bagot, said volunteer days are a great way for staff to make a positive contribution and connect with workmates outside the office.

“I dive a lot and see all the rubbish in the water – having a clean ocean and harbour is close to my heart and something I’m passionate about,” he said.

“At Woods Bagot, all staff have access to a volunteer day so we might as well use it and do something for the community and environment.”