DANE COUNTY, Wis. (Feb. 11, 2026) — With National Battery Day approaching on February 18th, Pellitteri Waste Systems is promoting a new national public service announcement campaign focused on the urgent issue of fires caused by improperly discarded batteries. The campaign was created by the National Waste & Recycling Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, and features Woodsy Owl, the iconic conservation mascot.
Recognized for his message, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute,” Woodsy has re-emerged with a new directive: “Skip the Bin—Turn Your Batteries In!”
Most of the electronics we use in our homes every day — smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys, to name just a few — are powered by lithium-ion batteries, also often referred to as rechargeable batteries, as most rechargeable devices use this type of battery.
“When improperly disposed of in trash or recycling carts or dumpsters, rechargeable batteries get damaged, causing them to overheat, ignite, or explode. Once ignited, these fires are difficult to extinguish,” explains Pellitteri Waste Systems President David Pellitteri. “This poses significant risks to our employees, trucks and facilities.”
To reduce the risk of fire, people should follow these three easy steps to turn in their batteries.
- Tape the Terminals. Cover the ends of your batteries with clear tape, especially the contact points. This helps prevent sparks and keeps everyone safe.
- Make a Plan. Different batteries may need different return options. Find drop-off locations near you or order a certified safe return box. In Dane County, most battery stores and Dane County Clean Sweep accept rechargeable (lithium-ion) batteries.
- Turn them in. Now that you know where to go or how to return them, it’s time to take action! Drop off your taped batteries at a local battery return site.
“Battery fires pose real risks,” concludes David Pellitteri. “By sharing this information in conjunction with National Battery Day, we hope we can help turn safe battery disposal into a common habit.”
The Facts (from www.batterysafetynow.org)
- When a battery overheats, it can jump from 212°F to 1,800°F in a second—and produce flames as hot as 2,000°F! (Sources: Clemson University; National Institute of Standards and Technology.)
- In the first seven months of 2025, there were more than 250 fire incidents at waste and recycling facilities across the U.S. and Canada — more facility fires than any other period on record. (Source: Ryan Fogelman)
- Catastrophic losses caused by fires at waste processing facilities have risen 41% in the last five years, with the average catastrophic loss causing $22 million in damage. (Source: Recycle.com)
- Since 2020, there have been at least 89 deaths directly related to lithium-ion battery incidents in the U.S., nearly a 50% increase from 2015-2019. (Source: UL Solutions)
Helpful Resources (from www.batterysafetynow.org)
- See how many battery-powered items are in your home and get tips on battery safety.
- Check out Woodsy Owl’s Kid Corner with activity and coloring pages.
- Take the Battery IQ quiz and test your knowledge of battery safety.
- Read recent news stories to see how prevalent battery fires are becoming.
- Watch this short video from Pellitteri Waste Systems on the dangers of batteries.
- Share this Woodsy Owl PSA video with your friends and family.
About the National Waste & Recycling Foundation
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. For more information about NWRF, please visit https://wasterecycling.
About the 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/.
About Pellitteri Waste Systems
Pellitteri Waste Systems is a Madison-based, family-owned and operated waste disposal and recycling company focused on providing needs-based solutions and outstanding customer service. Pellitteri has a proud tradition of service and community involvement and currently serves more than 80,000 households for waste and recycling collection throughout Southern Wisconsin. Pellitteri offers environmental leadership, stewardship, and innovation, as shown by their constant work to recycle better and more items at their local recycling facility. Learn more at pellitteri.com/news.
