Tech companies are showcasing the latest wearable health devices at CES 2026, but a significant environmental concern looms over these innovations. A study from Cornell University and the University of Chicago warns that by 2050, the demand for these devices could reach 2 billion units annually, potentially generating over a million tons of electronic waste and 100 million tons of carbon dioxide. Surprisingly, the primary environmental impact comes from the printed circuit boards, which account for 70% of the carbon footprint due to resource-intensive mining and manufacturing. To mitigate this, researchers propose using common metals like copper instead of rare minerals and designing modular devices to allow for circuit board reuse. These considerations highlight the importance of sustainable design in the rapidly growing wearable tech industry.
