​Ninja Tune & AIAIAI collaborate on headphones made from recycled vinyl

This year, Earth Day saw several artists, labels and brands making sustainable pledges for the year(s) ahead. Live Nation announced a green touring program, a coalition of European booking agencies called United Independent Music Agencies (UIMA) committed to a green rider initiative, Brian Eno launched his own environmental sustainability initiative for the music industry called EarthPercent, and Ninja Tune alongside Beggars Group announced plans to become a carbon negative company within a few years. Amongst others...

Continuing on in what is no longer a trend but a way of life, made especially real during the pandemic, today Danish headphone manufacturer AIAIAI has unveiled a world-first collaboration with Ninja Tune presenting a pair of headphones made from the label’s recycled vinyl. The new TMA-2 Ninja Tune Edition headphones are built upon AIAIAI’s modular design ethos as well as a joint vision shared by both brands to ‘doing things better'.

"With a creative approach to sustainability and through experimentation, we continuously focus on reducing our impact on the planet,” the brands say.

Although the headphones are limited edition, we don’t expect it to be the last innovation the companies come up with since the experimentation has revealed the changes they can “instigate in the core manufacturing for future products.”

“For Ninja Tune as a label, we are keen to not only celebrate the past but also mark our intentions going forward both sonically and ethically.”

"We are keenly aware of the need to explore more ecological and earth positive means of manufacturing. To continue to exist as an industry we need to place these topics at the forefront of discussions and decisions. This collaboration is not the final answer, but more so an example of how working towards greener solutions can lead to innovative and exciting results. This project is an opportunity to continue to shine a light on an increasingly pressing global issue.”

The TMA-2 Ninja Tune Edition headphones were released on April 27 and boast the same rich sound representation that AIAIAI’s Bio-Cellulose S05 drivers are known for. They come in a choice of both on-ear and over-ear vegan leather cushions and 20 hours of wireless audio via Bluetooth 5.0, perfect for those who enjoy long listening sessions.

“We finally found a way for you to listen to our deeper cuts,” said Ninja Tune.

Also, the TMA-2 Ninja Tune Edition headphones become the first AIAIAI product to be assembled in Denmark instead of China, not only helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the product but also keeping with the company’s inclusive philosophy, having partnered with a packing and assembly programme at Elleslettegård, an organisation where young people and adults with special needs are “given the best conditions to build a life as dignified and independent as possible”.

Retailers include Bleep, Phonica, Juno and Rough Trade in the UK, Soundhouse in Japan, Store DJ and Mannys in Australia, HHV in Germany, Turntablelab in the US and aiaiai.audio worldwide.

And yes, their limited edition.