�We have already embraced the national phasing out of incandescent light bulbs, recently passed into law by the federal government, and have taken it to the next level by establishing this recycling program,� said Jim Amorosia, president and chief operating officer for Motel 6. �Despite the five-year life span on these bulbs, we estimate that our properties will still recycle an approximate, combined total 60,000 fluorescent light bulbs per year.� 

On December 19, 2007, President George W. Bush signed into law a landmark energy bill to begin phasing out traditional incandescent bulbs starting in 2012, to be completed in 2014. Australia took a more radical approach earlier in 2007, becoming the first country to ban incandescent bulbs outright starting in 2010. 

In January of 2006, Motel 6 began its extensive retrofitting of fluorescent lighting at its corporate-owned properties, 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 Facility Solutions Group (FSG), who oversees the program, and Veolia Environmental Services, who manufactures and recycles the light bulbs and batteries. Motel 6 properties received boxes specifically designed to collect light bulbs, along with containers for batteries. Materials are 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 in 2007 consisted 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 four brands and over 900 properties � Sofitel, Novotel, Studio 6 and Motel 6 in the U.S. and Canada. 

About Motel 6 

Motel 6 offers the best price of any national chain at more than 900 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 900 upscale and economy properties including nationwide economy leaders Studio 6 and Motel 6 and the upper-upscale Sofitel and upscale Novotel hotel locations in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit http://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 166,000 employees. It offers to its individual and corporate clients 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses: 

� Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, All Seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, Studio 6 and Motel 6 brands: around 3,800 hotels and 450,000 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 � human resources, marketing services and expense management. 

Accor North America
Laura Rojo-Eddy, 972-360-5970
[email protected]