FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2025
Woodsy Owl Helps Raise Awareness of Safe Battery Disposal in New Regional PSA Campaign
The National Waste & Recycling Foundation and USDA Forest Service’s icon, Woodsy Owl, Team Up to Raise Public Awareness on Battery Safety and Proper Disposal
Washington, D.C. –The National Waste & Recycling Foundation (NWRF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 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, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute,” Woodsy has re-emerged with a critical new directive: “Skip the Bin—Turn 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.
“Woodsy has been inspiring Americans to care for the planet for over 50 years—and now he’s lending his voice to raise awareness about one of the most urgent safety issues facing our communities and our industry today,” said Michael E. Hoffman, NWRF president and CEO. “Most people don’t realize how dangerous it is to throw away something as common as loose spent batteries, a laptop, a cell phone, a children’s 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.”
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.
“Woodsy 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. “This 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’re proud to help turn safe battery disposal into a national habit.”
For more information on the campaign and safe battery disposal, visit batterysafetynow.org.
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ABOUT NWRF
The National Waste & Recycling Foundation (NWRF) is the charitable arm of the National Waste & Recycling Association, a 501(c)(6) organization. Operating independently as a 501(c)(3), the Foundation promotes public education, safety, and research initiatives that benefit the waste and recycling industry and the general public. Current efforts include a national campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of improper lithium-ion battery disposal and a scholarship program supporting future leaders in the industry.
ABOUT USFS
The U.S. Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, aids state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. For more information about the Forest Service, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/.
Media Contact
Lauren Hovey
CLYDE
woodsymedia@clyde.us
330-819-2145
National Press Desk
U.S. Forest Service
SM.FS.pressoffice@usda.gov