Motel 6 Becomes First Hospitality Chain To Develop A National Fluorescent Light Bulb And Battery Recycling Program

Accor North America Launches Recycling Initiative in Conjunction with Earth Guest Program

(Wednesday, June 13, 2007) - Motel 6, the largest corporately owned and operated hotel chain in North America, announces the roll out of the first national fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program within the hospitality industry. Motel 6, with nearly 900 properties across the country, is the first chain to implement this type of recycling program without a federal mandate. The Motel 6 Fluorescent Light Bulb and Battery Recycling Program will be rolled out regionally over a six-month period, with complete implementation expected by the end of 2007. This recycling policy is a continuation of Accor's Earth Guest initiatives that demonstrate Accor North America's dedication to preserving the environment.



"We are setting an industry precedent by launching this nationwide recycling program," said Jim Amorosia, chief operating officer for Motel 6. "Recycling is a highly effective action we can take year-round, and even with the fluorescent light bulbs' average service life of five years we will still recycle approximately 60,000 fluorescent light bulbs per year."



In January of 2006, Motel 6 began its extensive retrofitting of fluorescent lighting, which consumes 75% less energy than conventional bulbs. The brand's retrofitting of fluorescent light bulbs and the Motel 6 Battery and Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling Program complement the efforts of Motel 6's parent company, Accor North America, to reduce energy consumption in all its properties. In late 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency honored Accor North America as an Energy Star Leader for significantly increasing energy efficiency in its economy hotel properties.



To develop this nationwide recycling initiative, Accor North America partnered with Oakleaf, who will oversee the program, and Veolia Environmental Services, who manufactures and recycles the light bulbs and b atteries. Each Motel 6 property will receive a box specifically designed to

collect light bulbs and a container for batteries. Materials will be shipped automatically to each location on an annual basis with specific instructions on how to return the used containers.



Batteries, light bulbs and electronic equipment typically contain mercury, lead and other heavy metals that are considered hazardous to the environment. By initiating this recycling program, Motel 6's waste is guaranteed to be properly recycled in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.



Accor North America's Earth Guest program consists of extensive and ongoing environmental initiatives including the planting of 20,000 trees representing each Accor employee in North America, implementation of a 65-point environmental check list at all properties and at the corporate headquarters, and donation of $375,000 to educational and charitable groups. Earth Guest program activities are led and put into action at the corporate level and in local communities by Accor North America's five brands and over 870 properties – Sofitel, Novotel, Ibis, Studio 6 and Motel 6 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

About Motel 6

Motel 6 offers the best price of any national chain at more than 850 company-owned and franchised locations covering 48 U.S. states and Canada. For 21 years Motel 6 has used the tagline, "We'll leave the light on for you," earning the chain the highest brand recognition in the economy lodging segment. Motel 6 was the first national pet friendly chain, welcoming pets since 1962. Standard amenities include free local phone calls, no long distance access charges, free morning coffee, data ports, and cable channel line-up with premium channels including HBO, ESPN/ESPN2, and CNN. Most locations offer swimming pools and guest laundry facilities. For more information, visit www.motel6.com.



About Accor North America, Headquartered in Dallas (Carrollton), Texas, Accor North America operates more than 1,200 upscale and economy properties including nationwide economy leaders Studio 6 and Motel 6 and the upscale Sofitel and mid-scale Novotel and Ibis hotel locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit www.accor-na.com or call 972-360-9000.

Accor, the European leader in hotels and tourism, and a global leader in corporate services, operates in nearly 100 countries with 170,000 employees. It offers to its individual and corporate clients 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:

- Hotels, with the Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, All Seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, Studio 6 and Motel 6 brands: over 4,100 hotels and 486,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre ;

- Services to corporate clients and public institutions: 23 million people in 35 countries benefit from Accor Services products – meal and food vouchers, people care, incentive and loyalty programs.

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