Woodsy Owl helps raise awareness of safe battery disposal

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service has partnered with the National Waste & Recycling Foundation for a new public service announcement campaign starring Woodsy Owl.

The new campaign focuses on the serious fire risks posed by improper battery disposal; in particular, lithium-ion batteries, which are found in a wide range of products, from flashlights to wireless headphones to singing birthday cards. When tossed in the trash or recycling, the batteries can overheat, explode and start fires, posing risks to people, property and neighborhoods.

Woodsy Owl, the iconic conservation mascot, is the perfect spokes-bird for this campaign. He has built credibility with generations of children by teaching them to "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute." Now, he wants everyone to know they should "Skip the Bin-Turn Your Batteries In!"

Deputy Chief John Crockett said of the new campaign, "Woodsy Owl has encouraged kids and families to care for the world around them for generations. 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."

To kick off this habit, Woodsy Owl will host community engagement activities in Washington, Illinois and Washington, D.C., to ingrain proper battery disposal as second nature among adults and children. Events will feature interactive experiences including safety quizzes, as well as battery drop-off stations.

"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, foundation 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."

For more information on the campaign and safe battery disposal, visit https://www.batterysafetynow.org.

The National Waste & Recycling Foundation 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.