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, which opened in 2004, was recently praised by the EECO panel for ‘the continued exceptional effort by staff to achieve a 95% recycling rate in the difficult events and entertainment industry, and for the use of recycled materials within the building in order to close the recycling loop.’

Operations Manager Mike Hamer says: ‘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 organisations 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

The venues award-winning innovative recycling and waste management strategy includes:

- Recycling approximately 30,960 glass bottles, 20,088 aluminium cans and 77,166 plastic cups every month, as well as all paper and cardboard (including flyers handed out by bands outside the venue);
- A team of two spending approximately 3 hours separating out all waste - this is then collected daily by Camden Council recycling;
- Working with ‘The Carbon Trust; and ‘Better Climate for Camden’ to reduce emissions, save energy and recycle;
- Replacing 982 light bulbs with GLOWB low energy light bulbs;
- Switching to a green energy supplier, preventing the release of 520 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere over the next 12 months and:
- as KOKO currently produces approximately 310.809 tonnes of CO2 per annum, they have teamed up with Solar Aid who supply Solar Lanterns to under-developed countries to help offset this.

KOKO is a grade 2 listed building open for live music, TV shows and club nights with up to 10,000 people a week visiting the venue.

The venues' new roof terrace which opened earlier this summer - laid with rubber tiles composed of 6,600 reclaimed truck and car tyres - underlines how KOKO really is aiming to be an environmentally-aware live music venue. Entry to the Roof Terrace is free on Fridays; all other evenings you need a gig ticket or be willing to pay the cover charge for that night. Check out details at the Koko Camden venue info.

GreenLondon are delighted to share this story of a popular entertainment venue leading a shining example for other venues in London - taking the time and care to be a little greener really can pay off!

GreenLondon and KOKO would like to give our readers and fans the chance to win free passes to Club NME, Koko - which is THE hottest place to see new bands (two sets of two tickets up for grabs!). All you have to do is correctly complete the questions below and two winners will be selected at random.

1. What is the closest London Underground tube station to Koko?
2. What is the new Koko roof terrace made from?
3. What is the aim of the GreenLondon website?

Send all answers by 15th September 2010 into: helen@greenlondon.net - winners will be notified by email.

There is no expiry date on the tickets and you can check out the gig listings here.