Bluewater has been shortlisted for a green gong for turning 6,000 tonnes of waste into a study centre.

The shopping and leisure centre hopes to win the accolade in the City of London Corporation’s Sustainable City Awards. The awards recognise achievement in sustainable business practice.

Bluewater made its eco-friendly education centre from timber found on-site, including old pallets from stores and stalls, and timber from the Christmas market. It set up a 'milk round' to collect pallets, cages and re-usable waste.

The centre has a classroom, composting toilet, disabled access platforms and ramps, pond dipping jetty and picnic area to enable schools to use the area as a study centre.

Bluewater is the same size as Bath City Centre and generates some 6,000 tonnes of waste a year. As part of its policy of cutting waste and landfill, it embarked on the study centre project.

Bluewater has also developed an on-site wormery to create compost which uses food waste and waste from the on-site juice bars.

The Bluewater security teams patrol on bikes and use hybrid cars for fast response. An electric truck made from recycled plastic is also used for on-site works.

Simon Mills, head of sustainability at the City of London Corporation, said: "Copenhagen was unable to set binding emissions reduction targets.

"However in spite of this, UK businesses are pulling out all the stops to ensure they maintain a sustainable business model and keep emissions low - and we can see this in the high calibre of entrants. Businesses are already putting into practice the Government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 10 per cent by the end of 2010."

Bluewater is among 38 organisations shortlisted for an award. The results will be announced on February 18 at a ceremony in the Mansion House, London.