Here’s a rewritten version of the post in a more natural, human tone:
**The Dark Side of Wearable Tech: The Environmental Impact You Never Knew About**
Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts! I’m back from CES 2026 and still reeling from all the exciting new gadgets and innovations. But amidst all the hype, I stumbled upon a shocking fact that deserves more attention. The wearables industry, which is expected to boom in the coming years, is facing a potential environmental crisis.
**A Study that Should Give You Pause**
Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Chicago recently published a study that reveals some staggering stats. By 2050, the demand for health wearables is projected to rise to 2 billion units per year – that’s a whopping 42 times higher than today! Sounds like a dream come true, right? Think again. The same study estimates that this surge in demand could generate over 1 million tons of e-waste and 100 million tons of carbon dioxide. Yikes.
**It’s Not Just About Plastic**
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But what about plastic waste?” Yes, plastic waste is a huge issue, but it’s not the main problem here. The study found that the printed circuit board (PCB) is responsible for a whopping 70% of a device’s carbon footprint. And here’s the thing: manufacturing these chips requires intensive mining and processing, which is a major contributor to environmental degradation.
**What Can We Do About It?**
So, what can we do to mitigate this environmental impact? The researchers suggest two simple solutions: design chips using common metals like copper, which are more accessible and require less processing, and make devices modular, so the PCB can be reused while the outer casing gets updated. It’s all about making design decisions that add up quickly when scaled.
**A Call to Action**
As one of the study’s co-authors so aptly put it, “Small design decisions add up rapidly when these devices are deployed at world scale.” Yeah, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of CES, but let’s not forget about the environmental impact of our tech choices. It’s time to start paying attention to the sustainability of our wearable tech.
**Source**
You can read more about this study and the environmental impact of wearable devices at [Source link](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/06/wearable-health-devices-could-generate-a-million-tons-of-e-waste-by-2050/).
Stay tuned for more tech insights, and let’s work together to make a difference!
