The National Waste & Recycling Foundation (NWRF) announced that its PSA video for the national battery safety campaign, “Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!”, featuring Woodsy Owl, has been named the General Public Service Gold Winner in the 47th Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens and are judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, and production companies.
This year’s winners include Paramount TV, Warner Brothers Discovery, FOX Entertainment, MoMA, Mayo Clinic, Sony Music, TED, Al Jazeera, Variety, PETA, United Talent Agency, People Inc., Olympic Channel, AccuWeather, ABC News, Dude Perfect, Washington Commanders, Harvard Business School, Modern Post, and more.
“Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!” is a public education and outreach program led by the NWRF in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and with the support of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA). The campaign, launched in January 2026, is focused on reducing battery-related fires by raising public awareness about the dangers of improper battery disposal while making safe battery disposal easy, accessible, and actionable for families everywhere.
“This campaign is about prevention and protection,” said Michael E. Hoffman, president and CEO of NWRF/NWRA. “Battery-related fires are a top safety priority facing our industry. ‘Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!’ provides clear, actionable guidance that empowers individuals to reduce those risks, focusing on proper battery recovery. Being recognized for raising awareness on the importance of proper battery recovery and disposal is an honor, and we’re excited to continue protecting homes, families, front-line workers and fire fighters.”
Committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity forward, this year’s new categories included topics within Generative A.I., Animation, and Creators. These categories centered on stories and collaborations that are actively evolving within the video and television industry.
“Video has never been more contested, more creative, or more consequential than it is right now,” shared Amanda Needham, managing director of The Telly Awards. “The Telly Awards has had a front-row seat to this industry for 47 years, and today’s entertainment is happening in multiple formats, across every screen, and at every budget level.”