Samuel Enoch-Oghene, Post Grad, Obafemi Awolowo University

Abstract: Batteries are often characterized by number of cycle’s lifetime, which is used to estimate their End-of-Life (EOL). However, it has been observed that, occurrences of such components failing when only one-eighth (1/8) of their Expected-Useful-Life (EUL) is yet to be reached is alarming. These early failures can be attributed to manufacturing defects, purely substandard products or the sales of pre-owned (used) batteries. In developing economies such as in Africa, failures due to the counterfeit products is an enormous burden as it aggravates the already existing electronic waste (e-waste) disposal problem. While, some of these batteries may not be counterfeit, they could be close to their EOL and in some cases have already reached it. Such that, they go bad as soon as they are re-commissioned, and contribute to the existing e-waste issues, as well as, pose risks for users. Usually these components have initial costs that are lower compared to the standard products, but the long term costs and numerous risks exceed the early advantages. This work investigates the temporary gains of such components from a user and manufacturer standpoint, with a special focus on batteries used in portable electronic devices. The long-term costs, losses and contributions to electronic waste are also explored in order to proffer veritable recommendations suited for regulatory government policies, manufacturing practice, educational structures and probable trainings.