Sustainably Sourced Copper: Looking Upstream
At Copper and Green, sustainability is central to how I design, make, and source my products. As a single-maker business, every material choice matters. Copper plays a key role in much of my work, so I take care to ensure it comes from a supply chain that prioritises environmental responsibility, ethical practices, and long-term resource efficiency.
While I work directly with trusted UK and European stockists, I also look further upstream to understand how the copper itself is produced. Responsible sourcing doesn’t stop at the point of purchase — it begins much earlier.
Why Copper Is a Sustainable Material When Sourced Responsibly
Copper is widely recognised as a sustainable metal when produced and used thoughtfully. It is durable, long-lasting, and can be recycled repeatedly without losing its performance or quality. Much of the copper in use today has already been recycled many times over, making it a key material in the circular economy.
However, the environmental impact of copper depends heavily on how it is processed before it reaches makers. Energy use, emissions, and waste management all vary significantly between producers. That is why I favour copper that originates from responsibly managed upstream suppliers with strong sustainability commitments.
Responsible Copper Production Further Up the Supply Chain
One of my upstream suppliers, two stages back in the supply chain, is a large European copper producer that publishes a detailed annual sustainability report. This level of transparency provides valuable insight into how industrial-scale copper production can be managed more responsibly.
Their reporting shows a clear focus on reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, and increasing the use of recycled copper in manufacturing processes.
Recycled Copper and Reduced Environmental Impact
Producing copper from recycled material requires significantly less energy than producing it from newly mined ore. By prioritising recycled copper, upstream producers can dramatically reduce both energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Recent sustainability reporting shows that this approach has resulted in substantial energy savings and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared with primary copper production. This highlights the importance of recycled copper in lowering the environmental footprint of metal products.
Supporting a Circular Economy
Beyond recycling alone, responsible copper producers increasingly operate within a circular economy framework. This means minimising waste, reusing production scrap, and returning end-of-life copper back into the manufacturing cycle rather than sending it to landfill.
This approach closely aligns with my own philosophy at Copper & Green: use materials efficiently, reduce waste wherever possible, and create handmade copper products designed to last for many years.
Ethical Practices, Transparency, and Accountability
Sustainable sourcing is not only about environmental performance. Ethical governance, worker health and safety, and transparent sustainability reporting are also essential. Clear disclosure against recognised European sustainability standards allows smaller independent makers like me to make informed decisions about the materials I use.
Knowing that copper comes from a responsibly managed supply chain gives me confidence that my work reflects values I am happy to stand behind.
What Sustainable Copper Sourcing Means for Copper and Green Products
When you choose a Copper and Green piece, you are investing in a product made from sustainably sourced copper, shaped by hand, and designed for durability and longevity. Careful material sourcing allows me to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the quality, character, and performance of the finished piece.
By selecting copper that originates from upstream suppliers committed to recycled content, lower energy use, and responsible industrial practices, I can create thoughtful objects while keeping my footprint as light as possible.
A Thoughtful Approach to Sustainable Materials
My approach to copper sourcing is guided by a few simple principles:
I prioritise copper with high recycled content.
I support circular production systems that keep materials in use.
I favour transparent and ethically managed supply chains.
I make products designed to last rather than be replaced.
Sustainability does not stop at the workshop door. It begins long before the material reaches my hands and continues through careful design, making, and long-term use.