Canberra nightclub and pub Mooseheads has been named an "environmental champion" by the ACT Government, over the venue's massive increase in recycling.

The Civic business, which attracts regular controversy and has been the scene of many public indiscretions by footballers, was announced as the recipient of the ACT's Biggest Recycler Award overnight.

According to the Government, major changes to the club's operations have led to an 86 per cent drop in the amount of waste going to landfill.

"This is a great outcome from a business that you don't think of as being an environmental champion," Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said.

"Mooseheads are recognised for many things but it is not usually recycling.

"The owners have entered into a partnership and done a significant amount of waste minimisation, with only 3 per cent of their waste going to landfill and a massive amount of recycling being done."

The commercial sector is Canberra's biggest energy consumer, and Mooseheads was among more than 400 Canberra businesses to join the free Actsmart program this year, which aims to reduce electricity bills and improve recycling.

The Smith Family charity was also recognised by the Government for energy and water saving after replacing old heating and cooling systems, resulting in an annual saving of $6,500.

"Not only are they delivering great environmental outcomes, but they are saving real money that can instead be directed to the most needy in Canberra," Mr Rattenbury said.

ACT on track to meet renewables target

Thousands of Canberra households also took steps to become more energy efficient in 2016.

About 1,600 residents contacted Actsmart this year to receive free advice, and staff of energy provider Actew AGL have made 75,000 house calls offering free support since the energy improvement scheme began.

Almost 400 low-income households received free energy efficiency assessments and further assistance to modify their homes.

Mr Rattenbury said energy efficiency improvements made by businesses and households put the ACT on track to be entirely powered by renewable energy before 2020, and emissions free by 2050.

"The local programs are showing that you can effectively work with business and the community to make changes that not only save money but also have a significant effect on our emissions," he said.

"The ACT emissions profile is stabilising and we are seeing Canberra's emissions stop growing.

"With these changes over the next few years we will see the ACT's emissions profile start to come down rapidly."