Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearable devices have become everyday accessories for millions of Australians. Like smartphones, they are upgraded every few years, creating a steady stream of retired wearables that need proper disposal. Despite their small size, wearables contain complex electronics, personal data, and lithium batteries that make responsible recycling important.
What Counts as Wearable Technology?
The wearable category has grown significantly beyond basic step counters. Current wearable devices include smartwatches (Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch), fitness trackers (Fitbit, Garmin, Whoop), smart rings (Oura Ring, Samsung Galaxy Ring), GPS sports watches (Garmin, Suunto, Coros), health monitors (continuous glucose monitors, ECG monitors), and smart glasses (Ray-Ban Meta, various AR headsets).
Each of these devices contains miniaturised electronics, sensors, displays, and rechargeable batteries packed into a compact form factor. The engineering that makes them small and light also makes them challenging to recycle, as components are tightly integrated and often glued together.
Personal Data on Wearables
Wearable devices collect some of the most intimate personal data of any consumer technology. Depending on the device, this can include health metrics (heart rate, blood oxygen, ECG readings, sleep patterns), location history and GPS tracks, exercise and activity patterns, notification content from your phone, payment card information (if NFC payment is enabled), and biometric data (fingerprints, wrist detection profiles).
How to Wipe Common Wearables
Apple Watch: Unpair the watch from your iPhone (this automatically erases the watch). If you no longer have the paired iPhone, go to Settings on the watch, General, Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings. Remove the watch from your Apple ID in iCloud settings.
Samsung Galaxy Watch: Go to Settings, General, Reset, and then Factory Data Reset. Remove the watch from your Samsung account.
Fitbit devices: Factory reset through the device settings. Remove the device from your Fitbit account in the app. Note that Fitbit account data is stored in the cloud, so also consider deleting the account data through the web dashboard if you are closing the account entirely.
Garmin watches: Go to Settings, System, Reset, and choose Delete Data and Reset Settings. Remove the device from your Garmin Connect account.
Recycling Challenges
Wearable devices present some of the toughest recycling challenges in the consumer electronics category. The issues include extremely compact construction with components glued and soldered in a small space, sealed lithium batteries that are difficult to access and remove, mixed materials (metal, glass, ceramic, plastic, silicone) bonded together, and small individual item size that makes per-unit processing uneconomical.
The batteries in wearables are particularly problematic. A smartwatch battery is typically a small lithium-polymer cell that is glued into the casing. Removing it requires skilled manual disassembly to avoid puncturing the cell, which could cause a fire. This labour-intensive process increases recycling costs relative to the minimal material value recovered.
Where to Recycle Wearables
Manufacturer programs are often the best option for wearables. Apple accepts Apple Watches through their trade-in and recycling program. Samsung has a recycling program for Galaxy devices. Fitbit (now owned by Google) accepts devices for recycling. Garmin has a recycling program in some markets.
Council e-waste drop-off points accept wearable devices at transfer stations. They are small enough to go in the small electronics collection bin alongside phones and USB drives.
Mobile recycling programs like MobileMuster accept wearable devices alongside smartphones, as the technology and materials are similar.
Trade-in programs offer value for recent models. A one-year-old Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch can still command a meaningful trade-in price. Check manufacturer programs and third-party trade-in services before committing to recycling.
Straps and Bands
Do not forget about the watch straps and bands. These accessories are replaced even more frequently than the devices themselves, and they create their own waste stream.
Silicone and rubber bands are not widely recyclable through conventional channels, though some specialist recyclers accept them. TerraCycle has operated collection programs for silicone products in some markets.
Leather bands are biodegradable but may contain chemicals from tanning processes. They can go in general waste if no better option is available.
Metal bands and buckles (stainless steel, titanium, aluminium) are recyclable through scrap metal or e-waste channels.
Fabric and nylon bands are generally not recyclable and typically end up in general waste.
The Sustainability Problem with Wearables
Wearable technology raises broader questions about sustainability in consumer electronics. The typical lifespan of a smartwatch or fitness tracker is two to three years before the battery degrades significantly or the manufacturer stops providing software updates. This creates a rapid replacement cycle that generates substantial e-waste relative to the utility provided.
Some positive trends are emerging. Garmin’s sports watches are known for lasting five or more years with replaceable batteries. Framework has entered the modular laptop space with a philosophy that could eventually extend to wearables. Some fitness tracker companies are exploring subscription models where devices are returned and refurbished rather than discarded.
As a consumer, choosing wearables with longer support commitments, replaceable batteries (where available), and proven durability reduces both your environmental footprint and your long-term costs.
For more on the environmental impact of our electronic consumption, see our article on the true environmental cost of electronic waste.
EWV helps Victorian businesses manage e-waste and IT asset disposal compliantly and sustainably — including collection, certified data destruction, and recycling. Contact us for a free quote.