With 50 million tons of e-waste generated every year, and much of it unrecycled, it's not surprising that tech brands and consumers are increasingly concerned about the impact of their devices on the environment. But a Finnish design company may have found the solution. Aivan's researchers created a prototype helmet made entirely of mushrooms and other biodegradable materials. According to Engadget, the Korvaa headphones feature a "3D-printed headband using yeast-based lactic acid-based bioplastic," while the earcup padding is made up of "a foaming protein produced by mushrooms and plant cellulose." of a group of proteins called hydrophobins. The leatherette finish on the ear tips is also made from fungi, while the mesh covering the speakers is derived from a "biosynthetic spider silk produced by microbes."
A growing trend.
Unveiled at the SingularityU Nordic Summit in Helsinki, the headphones are currently just a prototype and do not contain any of the necessary electronics to enable them to transmit sound. So while we can't expect mold-made headphones to flood the market anytime soon, these fun cans demonstrate what might be possible in the near future. Furthermore, eco-friendly audio technology is already gaining popularity. With big tech companies like Apple committing to using recycled materials in their manufacturing process, it seems the tech world is starting to get serious about the environment. Does this mean Apple's next AirPods 2 will be made of mushrooms? Probably not, but other brands have already used unconventional materials in their manufacturing process. < p class="bordeaux-image-check">
The Tri-Art Audio S-Series TA-0.5 turntable (Image credit: TechRadar) At the Bristol Hi-Fi Show earlier this year we saw the Tri-Art Audio S-Series TA-0.5 turntable. , made from bamboo soaked in hemp and beeswax. Tri-Art claims that the use of this material is not only environmentally friendly, but also provides excellent results for your records. He explains on his website that bamboo is "very rigid, due to its excellent rigidity and its ability to absorb vibrations." Additionally, CES 2019 saw the House of Marley launch its first smart speaker, which is also made from natural and recycled materials. Via Engadget