n a computer monitors has 5 to 8 pounds of lead. The risk of ground water contamination through leaching cannot be taken likely. Computers and related accessories also have other hazardous and toxic components including mercury switches, mercury batteries, battery back-ups with lead acid and nickel cadmium batteries. Computers also have many valuable components that can be recycled including gold, silver, copper, aluminum, glass, steel, and plastic.Purpose of ResearchThe purpose of this thesis is to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of an infrastructure for the refurbishment and recycling of obsolete computers and associated products.HypothesisIt is my hypothesis that a computer-recycling program can be developed and running with little cost since most of the recycling infrastructure has already been established in the state of Illinois.MethodologyI will establish a detailed plan that includes public drop-off centers. A centralized storage and inspection program, which will determine if a computer can be refurbished or recycled, then onto the required facility with final disposition of either a fully refurbished computer or recycled components.Estimated Time Table for Thesis Completion1.Committee approval of thesis proposal.3 weeks2.Identification of pertinent businesses.1 week3.Designing infrastructure plan.3 weeks4.Presentation to DCCA for outside recommendations.2 weeks5.Recommended revisions.1 week6.Draft modifications by committee2 weeks7.Thesis write-up.4 weeks8.Presentation to committee (1).2 weeks9.Recommended revisions.1 week10.Presentation to committee (2).2 weeks11.Recommended revisions.1 week12.Presentation to committee (3).2 weeks13.Recommended revisions.1 week14.Presentation of final thesis.UnknownReferencesBrenniman, Gary R., Stephen D. Cesper, and William H. Hallenbeck. Case Studies in Rural Recycling. University of Illinois Center for Solid Waste Management and Research, Office of Technology Trans...
