The National 91仓库 & Recycling Foundation (NWRF), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 U.S. Forest Service, announced that the 鈥淪kip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!鈥� public service announcement (PSA) campaign will make its national debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas.
CES attendees will get an early look at Woodsy Owl鈥檚 modernized safety message and the resources that will support a nationwide effort to help families recognize battery fire risks and learn simple, practical steps to prevent fires through proper battery disposal. The showcase at CES marks the start of a months-long rollout that will reach communities across the country throughout 2026.
The national launch follows successful pilot campaigns in Washington state, Washington, D.C., and Illinois, where the PSA helped raise awareness about the growing number of fires caused by improperly discarded batteries and held local community events that collected over 1,500 pounds of batteries for safe disposal.
At the center of the campaign is Woodsy Owl, the iconic conservation symbol known for encouraging generations of Americans to care for their environment. In this new PSA, Woodsy takes on an urgent modern challenge: helping families understand when and how to safely dispose of batteries with the clear reminder, 鈥淪kip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!鈥�
Improperly disposed batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries found in everyday electronics such as phones, laptops, power tools, toys, and personal care items, can enter thermal runaway, a chain reaction that causes the battery to rapidly overheat, vent, or ignite when damaged or crushed in garbage trucks or recycling facilities. These incredibly hot, fast-burning fires put sanitation workers, firefighters, and entire neighborhoods at risk and are rising across the country.
鈥淔or over 50 years, Woodsy Owl has helped generations of Americans care for the places we love鈥攁nd now he鈥檚 teaming up with families to keep homes safe from battery fires,鈥� said Michael E. Hoffman, NWRF President and CEO. 鈥淎s CES begins, we鈥檙e delighted to share Woodsy鈥檚 refreshed message nationwide and make it easy for parents and kids to take simple steps that keep devices powered鈥攁nd households protected鈥攁cross the United States.鈥�
At CES, attendees will be able to explore the campaign inside a campsite-themed booth with a Woodsy-branded Airstream trailer, designed to make battery safety approachable for families and tech users alike. The activation features an interactive battery identification quiz game, educational displays to help spot common fire risks, giveaways, and short industry-insider talks highlighting how battery disposal impacts recycling systems and worker safety.
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鈥檚 largest consumer tech event, the campaign directly connects the excitement of innovation with the responsibility to handle batteries safely.
鈥淲oodsy Owl has always helped connect people with simple actions that benefit their communities,鈥� said John Crockett, Forest Service deputy chief for state, private and tribal forestry. 鈥淟aunching 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.鈥�