Smart clothes will soon be on sale. But regulations are needed to prevent a new waste mountain
The rise of smart textiles, or e-textiles, promises revolutionary health-monitoring capabilities but poses significant environmental challenges. Experts are calling for new regulations to manage the potential waste mountain created by these electronic-integrated fabrics.
Why it matters
As the e-textile market approaches a $15 billion valuation, proactive waste management is essential to prevent a new category of electronic waste that is difficult to recycle.
Smart clothes that use tech could create new problems for recycling and waste collection. Sasha Ostapiuk/Shutterstock Smart clothes will soon be on sale. But regulations are needed to prevent a new waste mountain Published: August 5, 2026 9:00am EDT https://theconversation.com/smart-clothes-will-soon-be-on-sale-but-regulations-are-needed-to-prevent-a-new-waste-mountain-287269 https://theconversation.com/smart-clothes-will-soon-be-on-sale-but-regulations-are-needed-to-prevent-a-new-waste-mountain-287269 Link copied Share article Share article
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When you think of advanced futuristic clothing, what comes to mind?
Perhaps shirts that can detect and alert users to low blood glucose levels or socks that can track your running form, step count and speed? What about pyjamas that observe subtle bodily changes while you sleep leading to early detection of cancer or warn carers of imminent seizures ? Imagine if all these were items that required no external power source, just the energy generated by your own body.
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