RONA inc. has announced online Eco-responsible Renovation Guide
RONA inc. has announced the launch of an innovative online Eco-responsible Renovation Guide. The user-friendly Guide, based on the life-cycle approach, was developed in collaboration with the International Chair in Life Cycle Assessment of École Polytechnique de Montréal, Équiterre and Écohabitation, inspired by the success of its RONA ECO and eco-responsible product lines.
The site is divided in two main sections: products (construction materials, paint, etc.) and projects (kitchen, bathroom, etc.).
Every product comes with a fact sheet that sets out in detail its features and advantages across the five stages of its life cycle: resource acquisition, manufacturing, packaging and transportation, use, and end of life. This is measured against five environmental issues recognized by the international scientific community: climate change, availability and quality of water, human health, quality of ecosystems, and depletion of resources.
Noting that the new on-line guide features an unparalleled level of transparency and openess with regard to selection criteria and methodology, RONA President and CEO Robert Dutton said that working with independent outside experts helps ensure the rigour and scientific validity of the products RONA offers — as well as the advice and support provided to consumers. “RONA is grateful to Équiterre, Écohabitation and the Life Cycle Chair for providing expert input with regard to the Eco-responsible Renovation Guide. Such collaborations enable us to make the latest advances in eco-responsible products and practices accessible and very, very concrete.”
Claude Bernier, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Customer Innovation, observed that “RONA’s committment to leadership in sustainability involves not only reducing our own environmental footprint but also helping the millions of customers who pass through our doors each month to lighten their impact on the planet. Our new Eco-responsible Renovation Guide is an excellent way to achieve this. It is the most comprehensive, user-friendly tool of its type. This is another example of RONA ‘doing it right’.”
The rigorous life-cycle approach
The life-cycle approach evaluates the impact of products and actions globally. To be accepted in the RONA ECO line, a product must leave a smaller ecological footprint than equivalent conventional products throughout its entire life cycle. RONA stores — along with the new renovation guide — also feature an array of “eco-responsible” products under various brands that have been evaluated by the experts at the Chair. To qualify as eco-responsible, these products must deliver a better environmental performance in one or more stages of their life cycle, whereas RONA ECO products must be superior considering all stages.