The national grid of Nigeria faces serious issues. It has collapsed seven times so far in 2022, and each time it does, the entire nation is plunged into darkness.
This has a terrible impact small businesses by causing a shortened working day. Others must rely on pricey generators to provide uninterrupted power.
Dozie Igweilo, an entrepreneur, has developed a system that simultaneously cuts pollution and waste while keeping the lights on.
His company, QuadLoop, manufactures low-cost solar lamps in Nigeria using recycled components from outdated electricals.
How is e-waste recycled by QuadLoop?
The business builds its products by inserting lithium batteries from abandoned old laptops into their lanterns. Additionally, it makes use of wires, screws, and screens for the solar units' enclosure.
The price of each unit is R560. Small enterprises that must continue operating during power outages are the principal users of them.
The lamps only have a one-year warranty because they are frequently made from second-hand materials, but there is also an opportunity to get the batteries changed.
What was initially intended to be a cheap fix for power disruptions has also shown to be beneficial to the environment.
Although lithium batteries are a fantastic way to store energy, their creation has a significant impact on the environment. QuadLoop's lamps increase the lifespan of already-existing items and lessen the need for additional production by reusing batteries from outdated electricals.