Woodsy Owl to Debut National “Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!” PSA Campaign on January 6, 2026 at CES 2026
The National Waste & Recycling Foundation is leading a nationwide effort to reduce battery fires and promote safe recovery and disposal with the USDA Forest Service’s Woodsy Owl
Washington, D.C. – The National Waste & Recycling Foundation (NWRF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service, announced that the “Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!” public service announcement (PSA) campaign will make its national debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
CES debut and national rollout: CES attendees will get an early look at Woodsy Owl’s modernized battery safety message and the resources supporting a nationwide effort to help families recognize battery fire risks and take simple, practical steps to prevent fires through proper disposal. The CES showcase marks the start of a months-long rollout reaching communities across the country throughout 2026.
Proven pilot success: The national launch builds on successful pilot campaigns in Washington state, Washington, D.C., and Illinois, where the PSA raised awareness about battery fire risks and supported community events that collected more than 1,500 pounds of batteries for safe disposal.
Woodsy Owl’s role: At the center of the campaign is Woodsy Owl, the iconic conservation symbol trusted by generations of Americans. In this PSA, Woodsy tackles a modern safety challenge, reminding families when and how to safely dispose of batteries with the message, “Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!”
Why battery safety matters: Improperly disposed batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries found in everyday electronics like phones, laptops, power tools, toys, and personal care items, can enter thermal runaway, causing them to rapidly overheat or ignite when damaged or crushed in garbage trucks or recycling facilities. These fast-burning fires put sanitation workers, firefighters, and entire neighborhoods at risk and are increasing nationwide.
“For over 50 years, Woodsy Owl has helped generations of Americans care for the places we love—and now he’s teaming up with families to keep homes safe from battery fires,” said Michael E. Hoffman, NWRF President and CEO. “As CES begins, we’re delighted to share Woodsy’s refreshed message nationwide and make it easy for parents and kids to take simple steps that keep devices powered—and households protected—across the United States.”
Immersive booth experience: At CES, attendees can explore the campaign inside a campsite-themed booth featuring a Woodsy-branded Airstream trailer, designed to make battery safety approachable and engaging for families and tech users.
Interactive education: The activation includes a battery identification quiz game and educational displays that help attendees recognize common battery fire risks in everyday devices.
On-site engagement: Visitors can also participate in giveaways and attend short, informal talks with industry insiders focused on how improper battery disposal impacts recycling systems, worker safety, and community risk.
Bringing the PSA to CES highlights the reality that as technology becomes more portable, powerful, and pervasive, the potential risks associated with the batteries that power these devices have grown as well. By launching at the nation’s largest consumer tech event, the campaign directly connects the excitement of innovation with the responsibility to handle batteries safely.
“Woodsy Owl has always helped connect people with simple actions that benefit their communities,” said John Crockett, Forest Service deputy chief for state, private and tribal forestry. “Launching this PSA nationally, and introducing it at CES, lets us meet people where they are and empower them to keep their homes and neighborhoods safe.”
Following CES, NWRF will begin a nationwide rollout of the PSA. Throughout 2026, the campaign will include community events, educational resources, and collaborations with local governments, firefighters, and environmental organizations.
For more information, to find a battery disposal location near you, and to view the PSA, visit www.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/.
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