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CES Gadgets Hide Huge Environmental Threat
7 Jan
Summary
- Wearable health devices could produce over a million tons of e-waste.
- Printed circuit boards cause 70% of a device's carbon footprint.
- Modular designs and common metals could reduce environmental impact.
Tech companies at CES 2026 in Las Vegas are showcasing the latest in wearable health technology, including glucose monitors and fitness trackers. However, these innovations may be contributing to a substantial environmental issue. A recent study predicts that by 2050, annual demand for health wearables could reach 2 billion units, a forty-two-fold increase from current levels.
Without changes in manufacturing, these devices are projected to generate over a million tons of electronic waste and 100 million tons of carbon dioxide between now and 2050. The study, published in Nature, highlights that the primary environmental concern stems not from plastic casings, but from the printed circuit board, which accounts for 70% of a device's carbon footprint due to resource-intensive mining and production processes.
Researchers propose solutions such as developing chips from common metals like copper instead of rare minerals, and designing devices with modular components. This would allow circuit boards to be reused while outer parts are replaced, significantly reducing waste and carbon emissions as these technologies become globally prevalent.
