Motel 6 Chain Operator Vows to Reduce Mercury Throughout Properties
Accor North America, the Carrollton, Texas-based operator of more than 1,000 properties including Motel 6, Studio 6, Sofitel Luxury Hotels and Novotel locations, has partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce mercury throughout its properties in the United States and Canada. As part of the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP), Accor said it will replace the fluorescent bulbs it currently uses in its hotels with low-mercury bulbs and recycle the mercury from the bulbs it replaces.
"Our commitment to environmental awareness and the green initiatives we have implemented throughout our organization are an important part of our business model, and they contribute significantly to our success," said Oliver Poirot, CEO for Accor North America, Motel 6, and Studio 6. "We are proud to join the EPA National Partnership for Environmental Priorities, and we'll continue to work together to make our world a cleaner, healthier place to live, play, and do business."
NPEP is a voluntary program with more than 240 members from private and public organizations nationwide. The goal of the program is the reduction, reuse, or recycling of 31 priority chemicals--chemicals that EPA says are long-lasting substances that can build up in the food chain and cause harm to humans and the environment.
"Protecting public health and the environment is a team effort," said EPA Acting Regional Administrator Lawrence E. Starfield. "The efforts of partners such as Accor North America are helping EPA improve our environment while inspiring others to do the same."
More information on the NPEP program is available at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/npep/index.htm.