Ecobuild 2012 will be held for the second time at ExCeL in London’s Docklands. ExCeL is committed to taking on the challenges of sustainable development and operating as a responsible corporate entity. It is developing best practice initiatives with regard to energy, water, waste, food waste and transport. These are some of ExCeL's key initiatives and achievements in the last two years: 

Energy

  • Lighting is set at 50% during build and break and heating or cooling is only used during the open period of the event to save energy.
  • Boilers are set on timers to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
  • There is ongoing work to reduce energy use with newlight fixtures and fittings. The new extension of the building makes use of natural daylight.
  • In December 2010 LED lights were fitted in the boulevard, DLR Walkway, Dock Edge and West Podium. This is estimated to have reduced energy consumption by 70% in the boulevard.
  • Motion sensors have been fitted on lights and escalators to reduce energy use.
  • ExCeL's latest Display Energy Certificate (DEC) rates the venue as C, 62. This means ExCeL is 38% more energy efficient than comparable buildings with a similar use.

Recycling and Waste Management

Currently, with ExCeL’s waste provider Shanks, an average of 89% of waste is recycled. This is split into categories of recycling, diversion (further processed to be recycled) and SRF (solid recovered fuel). Only 11% goes to landfill.

In 2010 ExCeL recycled (in tonnes):

  • Aluminium                                12
  • Cardboard                                139
  • Paper                                         547
  • Plastic Bottles                          20

2011 year to date:

From January – October 2011, ExCeL recycled 2181 tonnes of waste:

  • Diversion                                   579
  • Recycling                                  934
  • SRF (Solid recovery fuel)       416
  • Landfill                                       250

Vegetable food waste goes to an on-site wormery to be composted. The worms each twice their body weight in vegetable waste each day! The compost is then used on the ExCeL campus.

Awards and certification

  • Mayor’s Green 500 Diamond Award, 2010
  • Ranked 44th in the Sunday Times “The UK’s 60 Best Green Companies” 2009
  • Gold Award - National Recycling Stars
  • Gold Award - Carbon Saver Standard

ExCeL is working towards attaining third party certification in BS8901, the British Standard for Sustainability in Event Management in 2011. It's Sustainability team meets on a weekly basis to discuss and implement sustainable practices within the venue and operations.

People and Community

ExCeL supports: MacMillan, Community Food Enterprise & Juice for Life, Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASA), Ascension Eagles (Cheerleaders), Banking on Talent, Young Enterprise, Newham Sixth Form College, ExCeL in Arts this is both through financial support and / or use of the venue space free of charge.

Local residents are given special offers to attend events at ExCeL.

Almost 50% of staff have worked at ExCeL for more than 5 years, ExCeL having been open for 10 years.  25% of staff come from the local Borough Newham.