About homebase

Welcome to Homebase, part of Home Retail Group. Home Retail Group was demerged from its parent company, GUS plc, on Tuesday 10 October 2006. More information on Home Retail Group can be found on its corporate website, www.homeretailgroup.com *, including sections on investor relations, media centre, corporate responsibility and careers. Here you can read a brief introduction to Homebase, understand our corporate responsibility policies and learn a little about our charitable partner. About HomebaseHomebase is a leading home enhancement retailer selling over 38,000 products for the home and garden.It has more than 340 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland serving around 64 million customers a year, and a growing internet offering at www.homebase.co.uk. In the financial year to February 2012, Homebase sales were £1.5 billion and it employed some 19,000 people across the business.Homebase is part of Home Retail Group, the UK's leading home and general merchandise retailer. About ArgosAs part of the Home Retail Group, our sister company Argos will spoil you for choice with a fantastic range of over 35,000 great value products across many categories, including furniture, home appliances, televisions, toys and much more. Corporate responsibilityAs Homebase is part of Home Retail Group plc, detailed information on the company's corporate responsibility policy can be found on www.homeretailgroup.com/cr *.The site includes information on environmental issues, such as energy and waste management, our timber sourcing policy, chemical strategy, ethical trading conditions in our supply chain and community activities. Here are just some of the practical ways in which we try to be socially, ethically and environmentally responsible: Easier shopping for customers with disabilitiesWe're committed to making our stores and services accessible to everyone. If you need any help shopping with us, please give us a call on 0345 077 8888 or ask in store and we'll do everything we can to make things easier. Information on access to facilities at all our stores is available on www.directenquiries.com *.
Homebase and recyclingDisposal of electrical waste productsAs part of our kitchen installation service, Homebase will collect and recycle your old large kitchen appliance (excluding fridges and freezers) as part of the complete installation project. You can take all your other waste electrical goods for recycling to your local council site (and avoid damaging the environment and the potential harmful effects on health).Look out for the crossed out wheelie bin symbol on electrical goods. The symbol means that you should not put this item in your normal household waste bin.Not all council sites are suitable to collect all types of waste electrical goods, but to find out your nearest participating site, www.recycle-more.co.uk *. BatteriesWaste batteries can be returned to our stores free of charge, using the small waste battery bins in store. Batteries should never be put in general household waste or recycling bins - look out for the crossed out wheelie bin symbol on the packaging or the battery itself. Waste packagingMost waste packaging can be recycled. www.recyclenow.http://www.recyclenow.com * has got lots of tips on what to do with waste packaging. Cardboard boxes are easy to squash flat and recycle! Carrier bagsWe are very happy to provide a plastic carrier bag if you need one. Please reuse our carrier bags as often as possible and when you've finished with them, look out for a local recycling scheme or dispose of them safely so that they don't cause a litter problem. FurnitureIf you have an item of furniture that you no longer need following your purchase from Homebase, there is a charity near you that can put it to good use ; Local charities take unwanted furniture and make it available for people on low incomes ; A national helpline is run by the Furniture Re-use Network or you can look for groups on the internet.Helpline number: 0845 602 8003. Website: www.frn.org.uk.* PaintUnfortunately it is virtually impossible to purchase the exact amount of paint required to complete a project, which means the customer is usually faced with the problem of how to dispose of the excess. To try to help our customers purchase a suitable quantity, all of our own brand paints carry coverage guides and the products are also available in different size packs.Some of the ingredients used in the formulation of paint could be harmful to the environment if they are not disposed of correctly. The following guidelines may be helpful:

• Remove as much product as possible from the brushes, roller or paint pad before cleaning.
• Do not empty waste paint into drains, watercourses or access routes to septic tanks.
• Store products correctly - replace lids firmly and store in a dry place away from extreme temperatures to prolong their shelf life.
• Donate leftover paint to friends, self-help or community groups.
• Take leftover paint to the local household waste disposal site. For further advice on disposal, contact the recycling officer at your local council.

 CFL lampsAll energy saving light bulbs (CFLs) should be treated as hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in the bin. All local councils have an obligation to make arrangements for the disposal of household hazardous waste at a civic amenity site or household waste recycling centre.Although the accidental breakage of a lamp is most unlikely to cause any health problems, it’s good practice to minimise any unnecessary exposure to mercury, as well as risk of cuts from glass fragments.Revised advice issued by the Health Protection Agency* is to:

• Ventilate the room
• Wipe the area with a damp cloth, place that in the plastic bag and seal it
• Sticky tape (e.g. duct tape or similar) can be used to pick up small residual pieces or powder from soft furnishings and then placed in a sealed plastic bag. The plastic bag doesn't need to be air tight, but should be reasonably sturdy.

Place it in another, similar bag and seal that one as well (this minimises cuts from broken glass).The public should contact the local authority for advice on where to dispose of broken or intact CFLs as they should be treated as hazardous waste and should not be disposed of in the bin. All local councils have an obligation to make arrangements for the disposal of household hazardous waste at a civic amenity site or household waste recycling centre. The National Household Hazardous Waste Forum runs a website with details of these centres for chemicals, but which also applies to other hazardous wastes (http://www.chemtrust.org.uk *). Alternatively contact your local council direct. Homebase in the communityHomebase is proud to have chosen Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland as their Charity of the Year 2013-2015.
By working together, colleagues from Homebase will help Alzheimer’s Society, and its sister charities, to support people with dementia to stay in their own home and be part of community life for as long as possible.The money raised will fund three essential services; Dementia Support Workers providing specialist advice and support; Dementia Cafés that improve well-being and reduce social isolation; and Singing for the Brain® which is a stimulating social activity that enhances confidence and well-being.  Alzheimer's Society, Alzhiemer Scotland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland There are over 840,000 people in the UK and the Republic of Ireland living with dementia today. Through a network of local services, campaigning work and research, Alzheimer’s Society and its sister charities offer support to hundreds of thousands of people living with the condition.  They provide information and support to help people live their lives to the full, and fund innovative research into the cause, cure and prevention of dementia, and the care people receive.Dementia is not a natural part of ageing, it is caused by brain diseases; the most common is Alzheimer's. As the brain shuts down, a person gradually loses the ability to do the things many of us take for granted, from enjoying conversations with family or friends, to eating or dressing without help.  Dementia doesn’t just affect the person with the disease – their families and friends will all find that their lives are changed too. You can help in the following ways:

• Fundraising: Look out for fundraising activities in your local Homebase store
• Support us by shopping:  Purchase partnership products sold in your local Homebase store
• Online donation: You can make a donation on-line now, please use the donate button below
• Watch our partnership film at www.alzheimers.org.uk/noplacelikehome *
• Like Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland on Facebook and follow on Twitter. 

Donate Now
For more information about the partnership, the services being funded and Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Scotland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/noplacelikehome*