As evidence grows for the key role of the environment in the spread of infection, the selection of materials for hygiene-sensitive environments is moving up the agenda, and copper is leading the way with unmatched efficacy against headline-making pathogens. This article provides an update on the expanding evidence base – from laboratory experiments to clinical trials – and illustrates the growing adoption in healthcare and other sectors. Angela Vessey, of Copper Development Association, guides us from the laboratory to application, focusing on the usage of copper.