The Colchester Mercury Theatre has made significant strides by incorporating sustainability practices into its operations, with a strong focus on environmental responsibility and community engagement.

It operates on 100% renewable electricity, supported by a 67.5kW rooftop solar energy system that powers the building and returns surplus energy to the grid.

The theatre’s building management system automates and optimises lighting, heating and ventilation to reduce unnecessary energy use.

The venue ensures as much waste as possible is recycled and has native trees and vegetation on the grounds.

It has also implemented several strategies to reduce water consumption.

The judges said: “The theatre demonstrates a real underlying desire to ensure it adopts sustainable business practices to keep it operating for decades to come.”

Steve Mannix from Colchester Mercury Theatre said: “Winning sustainable workplace of the year is amazing and a huge reward for a real team effort across the last few years.

“Everybody from across the organisation is so committed, and it’s making sure we’re practical so we don’t just bamboozle the staff with how many kilowatts we’ve saved but make a real practical difference to their jobs, who we work with and their audiences.”

Nick Frampton, also from the theatre, said: “Sustainability needs to be made accessible. We’re here to give the future to the next generation, whether it’s our little theatre or a massive corporation, we all have a responsibility.”

For more information on the East Anglia Clean and Green Awards, please visit cleanandgreenawards.co.uk

To learn more about all of the winners, please click here.

Delta Fire is a UK manufacturer of frontline firefighting equipment, supplying most of the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services and the entirety of the Royal Navy with fire nozzles, alongside growing international markets.

Delta is family-owned and is headquartered in Norwich, Norfolk, at a new £5.5m facility which operates on renewable electricity.

The judges said that “sustainability is a core function at Delta Fire”.

Harwich Haven Authority

Established in 1863, Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) in Essex is one of the UK’s largest trust ports.

In 2023, HHA launched its Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy to reinforce and formalise its commitment to protecting the local environment.

The judges said: “We noted significant improvement year-on-year, with a real increased focus on community, social value and employee engagement.”

Indigo Swan is an award‑winning energy consultancy based in Norwich that helps organisations navigate a rapidly changing energy landscape.

As sustainability targets tighten and energy costs fluctuate, businesses need a trusted partner that can help them buy better energy.

The team of energy experts supports customers with expertise, insight and integrity, guiding them through procurement, strategy and data challenges.

Over the last 12 months, Indigo Swan has returned more than £2m to customers through excellent query management and accuracy and proudly maintains a 95% customer retention rate.

© Eastern Daily Press