Punta Gorda Motel 6 Receives Florida Green Lodging Program Designation

Environmentally Friendly Motel Conserves Resources, Saves Money and Attracts Customers

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. November 11, 2008

PUNTA GORDA, FL, November 11, 2008. Motel 6, known for offering a clean, comfortable room for the lowest price of any national chain, announces the designation of its Punta Gorda, Florida, property as a member of Florida's Green Lodging Program, a sustainable initiative of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving "green" practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

"With the use and recycling of compact fluorescent lighting, water conservation efforts and its extensive preventive maintenance program, Motel 6 has long been a leader on environmental issues within the lodging industry," said Olivier Poirot, CEO of Accor North America, Motel 6 and Studio 6. "Motel 6 Punta Gorda is proud to be a member of the Florida Green Lodging Program."

To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures, a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials, and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters.

"It is wonderful to see businesses implement green practices such as water conservation, recycling and energy reduction because they are not only good for business, they are good for Florida's environment," said DEP Sustainable Initiatives Director Deas Bohn.

Motel 6 has practiced environmental management since the early 1990s and has been recognized as an EnergyStar Partner since 2006. Today, Motel 6 reduces its carbon footprint in a few of the following ways: properly disposes of hazardous waste with a Fluorescent Light Bulb and Battery Recycling Program; reduces energy consumption in all energy management systems, including installing energy-efficient PTAC units; and reduces water consumption with low-flow aerators for faucets and shower heads and 1.6 gallon low flow toilets at all of its properties nationwide. Motel 6 strives to be in accordance with Accor's Worldwide Hotel Environmental Charter, a 65-point set of actions that each Accor brand is encouraged to take to make their properties more energy efficient and environmentally responsible.

Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. In 2007, Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with the Florida Green Lodging Program designation as of January 1, 2008, whenever possible.

For more information about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.