KOKO wins Environmental Excellence in Camden Organisations (EECO)
Legendary music venue KOKO has won the award for Environmental Excellence in Camden Organisations (EECO) 2010 for Innovation in Waste Management and Recycling.
The venue was praised by the panel for ‘the continued exceptional effort by staff to achieve a 95% recycling rate in the difficult events and entertainment industry, and the use of recycled materials within the building in order to close the recycling loop.’
Says Operations Manager Mike Hamer: ‘From having no environmental approach we are now proud of our active green policy. In just over two years we’ve sought to prove that live music venues can try to tackle climate issues not only locally but worldwide. We have worked closely with Camden Council, our cleaning company, our staff and external promoters to aim for 100% waste recycling. Happily, we’re on target.’
Camden organisations demonstrating environmental excellence were recognised by Councillor Angela Mason, the Deputy Leader of Camden Council, and Councillor Jonathon Simpson, Mayor of Camden, at an awards ceremony at the CBI Conference centre on Thursday 1st July 2010.
The EECO Awards 2010, at which KOKO came runners-up last year in their category, were judged by experts from Alliance members Envido, Camco, the Bloomsbury Combined Heat and Power Consortium, and the Mayor of London’s Green 500 scheme. KOKO enjoyed the honour of being the only entertainment venue nominated.
The awards are open to all organizations based in the London Borough of Camden, or which work to achieve an environmental benefit within the borough. Categories included:
- Greatest improvement in environmental performance
- Innovation in energy efficiency and carbon reduction
- Innovation in sustainable transport and travel
- Innovation in waste management and recycling
- Small steps award for innovation in sustainability communications and behaviour change
- Outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability in Camden.
KOKO’s new roof terrace, opened last week (July 2), and laid with rubber tiles composed of 6,600 reclaimed truck and car tyres, underlines how KOKO aims to be an environmentally-aware live music venue.
Its award-winning innovative recycling and waste management strategy is as follows:
- KOKO recycles approximately 30,960 glass bottles, 20,088 aluminium cans and 77,166 plastic cups every month
- KOKO recycles all paper and cardboard including flyers handed out by bands outside the venue.
- A team of two spend approx 3 hours separating all our waste from every single rubbish bag into separate glass / cans / plastics / paper. This is then collected daily by Camden Council recycling.
- KOKO works with ‘The Carbon Trust; and ‘Better Climate for Camden’ to reduce emission, save energy and recycle.
- KOKO recycles all old computer equipment, ink cartridges and furniture.
- KOKO has replaced 982 light bulbs with GLOWB low energy light bulbs.
- KOKO supplies electricity to tour buses and artists vehicles to prevent local emissions.
- KOKO recycles / donates all lost property clothing every 2 weeks to the British Heart Foundation after non collection from the venue.
- KOKO only supplies Fairtrade tea, coffee, sugar
- KOKO only sells ’Icelandic Glacial Mineral Water’ who work with the Carbon Neutral Company
- KOKO currently produces approximately 310.809 tonnes of CO2 per annum. To offset they have teamed up with Solar Aid who supply Solar Lanterns to under developed countries.
- KOKO has switched to a green energy supplier, preventing the release of 520 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere over the next 12 months.
