Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.

Cities and counties can achieve their green, climate-friendly goals if administrators use their imaginations, says Brandon Boozer, director of government sales at Batteries Plus, the retail and wholesale provider of replacement batteries, phone repair, auto battery installation, key fobs, lighting products, smart building products and more. The company has been providing battery and lighting solutions to all departments of local governments across the U.S. for more than 30 years. 

“Think outside the box and look local. Many government entities will tell us they have to use the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for replacement parts to maintain their warranties, but that is not true. There is a federal law — the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act — that covers this topic,” he says.

Boozer notes the advantages of buying from local suppliers: “Shopping local can not only reduce freight charges but also can help reduce emissions related to the purchase. Local vendors like Batteries Plus can handle each government’s recycling needs for batteries, lighting and miscellaneous electronics.” 

Batteries Plus brings the purchasing power of a national company to each community through a local store owned and operated by a neighbor in the community, and can help government entities meet their small business purchasing goals.

Boozer tells Co-op Solutions that it makes sense for organizations to work with a vendor that can offer a range of recycling capabilities to fit the highest number of needs. “For example, right now we’re working on ways to develop a domestic battery supply chain, where materials — specifically batteries — are recycled to make new batteries right here in the U.S., greatly reducing the need for foreign minerals.”

He notes that organizations can register for a free business account with his firm. “As a business account member, you can bring used batteries and bulbs to your nearest Batteries Plus store, and our team will handle the recycling process on your behalf. Or call your local sales representative to inquire about pickup availability. While some fees may apply to the recycling process, Batteries Plus also offers discounts for commercial battery disposal.”

Yes, Batteries Plus offers sustainable solutions to governments. Boozer explains: “Through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy and Cirba Solutions, our company is building sustainable battery recycling programs to reduce waste while improving municipal power efficiency.”

Sustainability is on everyone’s mind, Boozer says. “When a member of our community knows that they can recycle locally with Batteries Plus, they make an effort to do so. Government buyers are no different. We get calls from end-users all the time for recycling anything from AA batteries to defibrillator batteries, and light bulbs from fluorescent tubes to HID bulbs.”

Boozer says city and county administrators can take several steps to make their communities more sustainable. He offers the following suggestion to municipal purchasing officials: “When writing a request for quote (RFQ), ask the responding vendors if they can offer recycling, or require it as part of the RFQ so that the purchasing loop is closed.”

Boozer’s firm can help local governments achieve efficiencies in several areas, including: 

Traffic innovation: Traffic management systems require leading-edge lithium iron phosphate batteries to ensure extended lifespans and advanced reliability for storm-prone regions.

Fleet power for emergencies: From police and fire radios to municipal buses and hybrid vehicles, fleets remain operational with high-quality batteries designed for heavy-duty use.

OMNIA Partners, who sponsors this page, offers a robust portfolio of cooperative contracts in the public procurement space. The firm lists a number of cooperative contracts under the search term “batteries.”