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RONA to stop selling synthentic pesticides

September 11, 2008  By Amanda Ryder


Sept. 11, 2008 – RONA inc. is announcing it will stop
selling synthetic pesticides for cosmetic use in all its stores across
Canada beginning July 1, 2009.

RONA inc. is announcing it will stop
selling synthetic pesticides for cosmetic use in all its stores across
Canada beginning July 1, 2009. RONA already began the withdrawal of
synthetic pesticides from its stores four years ago and has since been
providing consumers with ecologically responsible alternatives. As
synthetic pesticides are taken off store shelves, RONA will continue to
introduce alternatives and techniques to help consumers replace them.

RONA's approach is based not only on the introduction of
eco-responsible products but also on consumer information and employee
training.

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RONA's initiative to stop selling synthetic pesticides for cosmetic
use has been acknowledged by the David Suzuki Foundation in its survey
of Canadian retailers' practices relating to the sale of pesticides.
For more details, visit www.davidsuzuki.org.

Sustainable development part of RONA's history

RONA's goal is to become the industry's Canadian leader in
sustainable development, which translates into growth for our
communities and our employees, as well as respect for the environment.
Two of our most significant initiatives, among the many already in
place, are the "Growing with Our Athletes" program, through which RONA
supports 100 Canadian athletes, and the RONA Foundation, established in
1998 to provide help for young people 12 to 30 years old by supporting
local organizations and projects that fight the school dropout problem
and illiteracy or offer training to help young people learn a trade or
occupation.

Where the environment is concerned, adopting responsible practices
in this field has always been a priority at RONA. Particular emphasis
is placed on activities that are likely to have a real and lasting
impact, even if their implementation requires more time and effort. At
a time when most citizens had yet to see the environment as a major
concern, RONA took part in establishing a Quebec-wide used-paint
recovery and recycling program – an economical and environmentally
friendly alternative to landfills or incineration. Last July, this
program was extended to Ontario where RONA became the first retailer to
offer a paint recovery program in the province.

Recently, the company released its first RONA ECO brand products,
which are much more environmentally friendly than equivalent
conventional items, thanks to a product development approach that's
based on a life cycle analysis and a rigorous assessment process
through RONA's partnership with the International Chair in Life Cycle
Assessment. Research conducted with the Chair allows RONA to provide
essential information for consumers about the real impact their choices
have on the environment, and then to select products with the best
environmental impact throughout their life cycle.

Last June, RONA announced that it was turning off 75 per cent of all
demonstrator lights on display in its in-store lighting departments,
leaving only one item in four turned on full time. This new measure was
intended to reduce in-store energy consumption across all Canadian
points of sale. In addition, the lamps on display in RONA stores use
compact fluorescent instead of conventional incandescent bulbs.

RONA also launched a new Canada-wide collection program for compact
fluorescent light bulbs. Canadians are now able to take their used
compact fluorescents to participating RONA stores where the bulbs will
be collected for safe recovery and their components recycled.


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