The growth of Tech City has had a huge impact on East London – new buildings, new communities and new spaces have evolved around the thriving centre. In the wake of this development, the EC1 community has come up with ways to improve and protect the area, from eco-technical
start-ups to community projects. Even new developments have the environment in mind - for example, the recent launch of JCDecaux’s digital screens, Old Street EC1, adhered to the company’s goals of minimising impact on the environment and the project had eco-design at its forefront.
With this in mind, we’ve taken a look at EC1’s social and environmental champions.
Open Utility
Open Data Institute, 3rd Floor, 65 Clifton Street, London, EC2A 4JE
Open Utility dreams of a fully renewable, clean and, importantly, local energy future. To help this along, they aim to create an open renewable energy marketplace, and provide ways for those with renewable energy generators to sell their energy directly to their local community.
Renewable energy generators can use Open Utility to search and compare quotes to get the best price on their energy, and are put in touch with suppliers.
Bio Bean
International House, 1 St Katharine’s Way, London, E1W 1UN
Extending the caffeine buzz that little bit longer, Bio Bean collects waste coffee grounds and turns them into biofuel. The company has set up infrastructure to divert some of London’s annual 200,000 tonnes of waste grounds from going to landfill, and instead processes them into biofuels to be sold to help power local businesses.
Zero Carbon Hub
Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street, London, EC1M 5LG
The Zero Carbon Hub is a non-profit organisation that was set up around the government’s Zero Carbon Homes policy, to support the construction industry with building more and better environmentally conscious homes.
Its main aims are to research environmental practices, improve environmental policy and help the wider building industry implement eco-friendly standards.
Hackney City Farm
1a Goldsmiths Row, London, E2 8QA
Started over 20 years ago, Hackney City Farm is a tiny farm haven in the heart of East London. In addition to the animals, it supports community groups, local social enterprises and environmental improvement initiatives.
It’s also host to a weekly farmers market, and rents out office workspaces for local businesses.
Hawksmoor
11 Langley Street, London, WC2H 9JG
Despite the fact that we’ll all have to go vegetarian if we’re truly going to save the world, The Hawksmoor deserves a place on this list for its dedication to well-sourced and sustainable produce. All of the meat and dairy products are carefully selected from sustainable British farms, and the restaurant has also partnered with restaurateur and sustainable fishing champion Mitch Tonks.
The Hawksmoor is also involved with supporting several London-based charities, such as Springboard and Action Against Hunger.
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