Dalston’s Arcola Theatre is one of three Hackney organisations in the running to win a ‘green gong’ for sustainable businesses in the capital.

The theatre, which has just reopened inside an old paint factory in Ashwin Street, has been shortlisted in the Climate Change and Green Third Sector categories of the Sustainable City Awards, run by the City of London Corporation.

It aims to become the world’s first carbon neutral theatre and educates visitors about environmental issues through events and outreach schemes.

Theatre bosses have tried to make the new premises as sustainable as possible by reducing energy and water usage, installing low energy LED lighting and reusing building materials.

Hackney Community Transport (HCT), based at the Ash Grove depot in Mare Street, is also one of the 41 organisations competing for an award.

The bus operator runs as a social enterprise – with all profits reinvested in the organisation – and reduces fuel usage through drivers’ techniques.

Loyalty card scheme GetMoreLocal, based in Eagle Wharf Road, Hoxton, which employs 79 unemployed young people, has also earned a nod.

Simon Mills, head of sustainability at the City of London Corporation, said: “Sustainable business practices are now far more cost-efficient to implement and can offer a rapid return on investment – meaning that smaller organisations are championing the green agenda as a means to cut costs.”

Winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by Lord Smith, chairman of the Environment Agency, at Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s official residence, on February 3.