The rapid expansion of wearable technology, while offering convenience and health benefits, is simultaneously creating a looming environmental crisis. From resource-intensive manufacturing to complex end-of-life management, these seemingly innocuous devices contribute significantly to electronic waste, deplete finite natural resources, and introduce harmful chemicals into the environment. As adoption rates soar, the ecological footprint of smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other interconnected gadgets demands urgent attention and innovative solutions to mitigate their long-term impact on our planet.
The proliferation of wearable technology is undeniable, with global sales figures steadily climbing. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, approximately 50 million wearable units were sold worldwide, marking a 12.3% increase from the previous year. Projections indicate even more explosive growth, with health wearables potentially reaching two billion units annually by 2050—a staggering 42-fold increase from current levels. This surge in demand, however, is met with a critical oversight: the environmental implications of these devices once they become obsolete. Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, a UK-based non-profit dedicated to reducing e-waste, emphasizes this growing concern, stating, “Nobody’s thinking about what happens when these devices reach the end-of-life stage. It turns out it’s a major, major issue.”
Globally, over 60 million tons of electronic waste are generated each year, with only about 22% undergoing formal collection and recycling, according to World Health Organization data. While wearable devices are smaller than many other electronics, their short lifespan, typically three to five years for a smartwatch, exacerbates the waste problem. Their intricate, miniaturized designs make them particularly challenging to repair, reuse, or recycle. Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Chicago project that without intervention, wearable devices could contribute over one million tons of e-waste and 100 million tons of carbon monoxide annually by 2050.
A significant portion of a wearable device's environmental impact stems from its printed circuit boards (PCBs), often referred to as the 'brain' of the device. These PCBs, which enable sensors, Bluetooth modules, and processors to function, are constructed using precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper, and cobalt. Extracting even minute quantities of these materials requires substantial energy input. Furthermore, most smart devices rely on small lithium batteries, whose mining and production processes are highly water and energy-intensive, and whose improper disposal poses fire hazards. The broader context includes the environmental degradation and human rights concerns associated with the production of coltan, cobalt, and nickel—critical raw materials for electronics, often sourced from regions experiencing civil unrest.
Beyond the challenges of material extraction and end-of-life management, the presence of hazardous substances in wearable devices raises additional alarm. A 2025 study by the University of Notre Dame revealed that many smartwatch and fitness tracker straps contain high levels of 'forever chemicals,' or PFAs. These toxic substances, linked to severe health issues including cancer, organ damage, and birth defects, can be absorbed through prolonged skin contact. The study found significantly higher concentrations of PFAs in these bands compared to other consumer products, a concerning discovery given how frequently and for how long these straps are worn. While some companies, like Apple and Google's Fitbit, have expressed commitments to phase out PFAs or ensure compliance with industry standards, the widespread presence of these chemicals underscores the urgent need for safer material innovation.
A considerable proportion of wearable tech devices, around 8% in the UK in 2024 according to a YouGov survey, are never used, often relegated to drawers shortly after purchase. This 'idle device' phenomenon contributes to an escalating waste problem, with UK households alone hoarding an estimated 880 million unused tech items. As consumers are increasingly drawn to new models, smaller devices, like tracking gadgets, are more likely to be forgotten and ultimately discarded improperly, often ending up in landfills. The full environmental impact, particularly in countries in the Global South that receive a large share of e-waste from high-income nations, is yet to be fully realized. Companies like Oura are attempting to address device longevity by continuously enhancing features, such as women's health tracking, to improve user engagement and reduce premature disposal.
In response to these environmental pressures, some wearable tech companies are implementing upcycling and recycling initiatives. Oura, for instance, allows users in certain regions to return old rings for recycling, though the specifics of their recycling process remain undisclosed. Whoop encourages users to pass on older devices for trade-in credit and directs them to textile recycling schemes for band components. Samsung offers trade-in discounts and partners with local recycling organizations. Apple, a leader in this area, operates advanced recycling and trade-in programs, refurbishing functional devices and disassembling others to recover valuable materials like aluminum, gold, and lithium. Google's Fitbit also facilitates electronics recycling via mail and incorporates recycled materials into new products. However, greater transparency and industry-wide collaboration are needed to scale these efforts and develop more sustainable practices across the entire lifecycle of wearable technology.
Ultimately, addressing the environmental footprint of wearable technology requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes encouraging conscious consumerism, advocating for 'modular' device designs that allow for individual component replacement, and driving investment in less energy-intensive recycling methods, such as solvent-based material recovery for PCBs. As technology continues to advance, the opportunity arises to innovate not just in product features, but also in sustainable design and end-of-life solutions, ensuring that the benefits of wearable tech do not come at an unacceptable cost to our planet.
