This week in Las Vegas, tech companies at CES 2026 are unveiling the latest wearable health devices, including glucose monitors, blood pressure trackers, and fitness trackers. What is probably not mentioned at the show is that these gadgets might be creating a massive environmental problem.
This issue does not tend to get much attention, but a new study from Cornell University and the University of Chicago has found that by 2050, demand for health wearables could hit 2 billion units per year. That is 42 times more than today. Unless we change how they are made, the authors warn these devices could generate over a million tons of electronic waste and 100 million tons of carbon dioxide over that same period.
An even bigger surprise is that the plastic components are not the primary problem. The study, published in Nature, found that the printed circuit board, which acts as the device’s brain, accounts for 70% of its carbon footprint. This is largely due to the intensive mining and manufacturing required for these components.
The researchers suggest two potential fixes. First, develop chips using common metals like copper instead of rare minerals like gold. Second, design devices to be modular so the circuit board can be reused while the outer covering gets replaced.
As one of the study’s co-authors wrote, when these devices are deployed at a global scale, small design choices add up quickly. It is something to think about while scrolling through the latest CES announcements.