Copper is making possible a more sustainable future through green energy. Windmills and solar systems require major amounts of copper as do electric cars. There are also many industrial uses of copper due to its high ductility, malleability, thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion. It ranks third after iron and aluminum in the quantities consumed for industrial purposes. Copper is the main component of coins for most countries. Everyday uses of copper include electrical conductivity, doorknobs, household fixtures, frying pans, and even knives, forks, and spoons. Copper is shown to kill bacteria and is being used in hospitals and to fight viruses.

Vacuum tubes, cathode ray tubes and the magnetrons in microwave ovens use copper, as do wave guides for microwave radiation. Wire mesh, woven of commercially pure copper, is used in hundreds of applications ranging from antenna found on planes to RFI shielding.