Survey on mobile phone battery end-life in Tanzania

Abstract

Tens of tons of mobile phone batteries and other mobile technology are imported in Tanzania every year. It is, however, still unclear what happens to mobile devices in the end of their life cycle. This study combined qualitative and quantitative methods to explore what happens to mobile batteries after their useful lifespan. The study found that one third of the respondents threw away their used mobile phone batteries, while most other respondents re-used batteries or kept them at home. There was very little indication of recycling activities, and knowledge about used mobile device recollection was uncommon. This study found little or no connection between environmental awareness and age, education, gender, or other demographic variables: habits of waste disposal remained the same across demographics.