Customer acceptance of mobile devices with permanently installed batteries and accumulators

The aim of this paper is to critically examine current mobile devices such as toothbrushes with a focus on the consumer behaviour when buying toothbrushes which was examined using an online survey. The survey is particularly concerned with the issue of whether consumers at the point of sale are aware of what kind of toothbrush they are buying and what the impacts, especially the ecological effects, of toothbrushes are. It was therefore analysed whether consumers recognise if an electric toothbrush is a rechargeable or a battery-operated toothbrush, the latter of which has to be disposed of after the energy charge in the battery is empty. In addition, questions were asked on whether consumers are aware of how to recycle electric toothbrushes and which dismantling activities must be carried out before disposal. The error rate of 18-29% in the recognition of the correct toothbrush model when considering battery-operated products showed the unawareness and incorrect purchase by the customer when buying.