The National Waste & Recycling Foundation (NWRF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 Forest Service and its iconic mascot Woodsy Owl, is thrilled to launch a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign. Focused on the urgent issue of improper battery disposal, especially lithium-ion batteries, the campaign highlights the serious fire risks posed when these batteries end up in recycling or waste bins.
At the heart of this campaign is Woodsy Owl, the esteemed conservation mascot. Recognized for his iconic message, 鈥淕ive a Hoot, Don鈥檛 Pollute,鈥� Woodsy has re-emerged with a critical new directive: 鈥淪kip the Bin鈥擳urn Your Batteries In!” His familiar presence in this campaign aims to instill a sense of trust and reliability in our audience.
Lithium-ion batteries are in a wide range of household products, including flashlights, remote controls, smoke detectors, wireless headphones, e-scooters and bikes, power tools, and even singing birthday cards. When disposed of improperly, these batteries in waste or recycling bins can overheat, get crushed, explode, and start fires that are difficult to extinguish. This poses significant risks to sanitation workers, disposal facilities, and entire neighborhoods.
鈥淲oodsy has been inspiring Americans to care for the planet for over 50 years鈥攁nd now he鈥檚 lending his voice to raise awareness about one of the most urgent safety issues facing our communities and our industry today,鈥� said Michael E. Hoffman, NWRF president and CEO. 鈥淢ost people don鈥檛 realize how dangerous it is to throw away something as common as loose spent batteries, a laptop, a cell phone, a children鈥檚 toy, or a power tool battery. Fires caused by improperly discarded batteries pose a serious risk to our communities, our waste and recycling facilities, frontline workers, and the neighborhoods they serve. This is the kind of partnership that turns awareness into action, and small steps into real safety.鈥�
Woodsy Owl will provide community engagement activities across Washington state, Illinois, and Washington D.C., to help people of all ages understand how to safely dispose of batteries and inspire everyday habits that protect workers, neighborhoods, and families. These events will feature interactive experiences like battery drop-off stations and safety quizzes to spark conversation, raise awareness, and encourage families to take immediate action.
鈥淲oodsy Owl has encouraged kids and families to care for the world around them for generations”, said John Crockett, Forest Service deputy chief for State, Private and Tribal Forestry. 鈥淭his campaign brings that message to life by helping people understand the real risks battery fires pose to our environment and the safety of communities everywhere. Together with NWRF, we鈥檙e proud to help turn safe battery disposal into a national habit.”
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