Recycling converts surplus loot into crafting components you’ll use later. You can do it from the main menu or while you’re in a session.

  • Open your inventory (default on PC: Tab).
  • Select an item you don’t plan to use.
  • Open the context menu and choose “Recycle.”
  • Review the pop-up that shows the materials you’ll receive, then confirm.

Recycled output scales with the item’s type and rarity. For example, dismantling an ARC Thermo Lining yields Metal Parts, which feed into crafting items like arms, ammunition, and armor.

When to recycle vs. sell vs. save

Not every fan, lining, or “rubber pad” should be scrapped on sight. Loot in the Rust Belt pulls double duty across quests, workshop upgrades, crafting, and commerce. Use the matrix below to make quick decisions as your stash fills up.

Action Use it when… Upside Trade-offs
Recycle You need core materials for crafting or upgrades; you have duplicates; item is common/low value. Immediate parts without spending currency; scales with rarity; clears stash clutter. Can’t undo; you lose the option to sell or slot it into a future quest.
Sell You’re short on currency and don’t need the parts; the item sells reliably; materials are already stocked. Fast cash for vendor purchases and fees. Missed opportunity to convert into higher-utility components when crafting ramps up.
Save You’re pursuing specific quests/workshop upgrades; you’re light on a given part; item is uncommon/versatile. Prevents bottlenecks mid-upgrade; avoids re-farming common drops. Inventory pressure; value locked until you craft or turn in.

Practical baseline: recycle most commons you won’t equip, sell only when you need currency now, and hold a small buffer of widely used loot for quests and upgrades. As your build stabilizes, prioritize recycling duplicates and items that don’t fit your loadout.

What recycled materials are used for

Recycling gives you generalized components that feed core progression. Expect returns such as Metal Parts, which are used to craft:

  • Arms and weapon-related items
  • Ammunition and consumables
  • Armor and protective gear

The rarer the source item, the more valuable the output. Use the preview window before confirming to avoid scrapping something you meant to sell or keep.

Looting drives the loop

ARC Raiders is built around extraction runs that bring back gear, materials, and oddments. Those finds funnel into four paths: quests, workshop upgrades, crafting, or selling. Recycling is the bridge between “I don’t need this” and “I can build the thing I do need,” so don’t sit on junk you’ll never equip—convert it into parts and keep momentum.

The short version: recycle routine loot to keep your upgrade pipeline fed, sell only when you need currency, and set aside a small stash for quest and workshop needs.