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Use PEX or polypropylene pipe when possible

Tags: Kitchen or bath addition, New construction, Kitchen or bath expanded existing space, Landscaping--general, Finished basement, Gut rehab, Kitchen or bath existing space, Electrical/Plumbing, Finished basement, Gut rehab, Kitchen or bath existing space, Landscaping, Irrigation, cold, Domestic Water Piping, dry, hot_humid, marine, mixed_humid

There are greener options than copper.
Of all the common types of plumbing pipe used in homes, cross-linked polyethylene (PEXCross-linked polyethylene. Specialized type of polyethylene plastic that is strengthened by chemical bonds formed in addition to the usual bonds in the polymerization process. PEX is used primarily as tubing for hot- and cold-water distribution and radiant-floor heating. ) is the most benign. This plastic contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms, so manufacturing and disposing of it comes with relatively few environmental penalties. Polypropylene pipe (PP) is a new entry but it has an environmental product profile similar to PEX. Although most copper pipe has a fairly high recycled content, the mining required to produce virgin copper is environmentally damaging, and all copper is highly energy intensive to produce.