With RONA’s ECO Paint line, Canadian customers can decrease their environmental impact one paintbrush stroke at a time
Painting. A task many people either love or hate. But, once it’s done, what happens to the leftover paint?
A common destination for unused paint is a landfill, which can cause a multitude of issues for the environment. That’s what prompted RONA – a Lowe’s brand in Canada and one of the largest paint retailers in the country – to approach the disposal of paint a different, green way.
RONA began collecting leftover paint from people at its stores in 1994. Then, in 2010, the company decided to take its efforts a step forward by recycling paint into a product that customers could use again. The result? The ECO Paint line.
Made from 80 percent recycled paint, RONA ECO Paint is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and generates only a quarter of the greenhouse gases normally produced by other paints during manufacturing. Even the container is green – it’s made of 100 percent recycled plastic with a label made from recycled and certified paper.
Developed with the goal of leaving the smallest possible ecological footprint, ECO Paint products have an interesting life cycle that begins with people dropping off their leftover paint at designated sites. But their journey is far from over.
Take a look:
For the Lowe’s teams in Canada, the recycling effort behind the ECO Paint line is something to be proud of.
“Lowe’s Canada is committed to helping Canadians reduce the environmental footprint of their home improvement projects,” said Jules Foisy Lapointe, director of corporate social responsibility for Lowe’s Canada. “Our paint recycling program, which is currently deployed in over 450 RONA, Reno-Depot and Lowe’s stores across Canada, shows very tangible results: in 2017 only, 3,545 tons of paint were recycled through the program. This is an achievement we are very much proud of!”
The ECO Paint line is just one of many programs and initiatives activated by Lowe’s and its brands to reduce environmental impact. From recycling batteries to reducing emissions, Lowe’s is focused on improving communities and the shared planet we all call home.
