ARC Raiders Recycling Guide – Which Items to Sell or Recycle for Maximum Value
Master inventory management in ARC Raiders with our complete recycling and selling guide. Learn which items to keep, sell, or recycle with detailed breakdowns and strategic tips for every item in the game.
Managing your stash in ARC Raiders becomes a serious challenge once you start extracting regularly. Between quest requirements, workshop upgrades, and random loot drops, your inventory fills up fast. The solution? Understanding which items are safe to recycle or sell immediately versus what you should hoard for later.
The recycling and selling system in ARC Raiders isn’t just about clearing stash space—it’s about maximizing value. Some items sell for decent coins but recycle into components worth double that amount. Others look recyclable but are crucial for workshop upgrades you haven’t unlocked yet.
This guide breaks down every recyclable and sellable item in the game, organized by category so you can make smart inventory decisions during and after raids.
How to Recycle and Sell Items in ARC Raiders
Before we dive into the item lists, here’s how the mechanics work:
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Recycling and Selling in Your Hideout
Step 1: Open your inventory by pressing:
- PC: Tab key in the Workshop menu
- PlayStation: Touchpad button
- Xbox: Select/Back button
Step 2: Select any item from your stash or character inventory
Step 3: Right-click (PC) or press Y/Triangle (Xbox/PlayStation) to open the action menu
Step 4: Choose either:
- Sell – Get coins immediately
- Recycle – Break down into crafting components
The game always shows you a preview of what components you’ll receive before confirming recycling. Use this preview to compare value—sometimes selling raw materials individually nets more coins than selling the intact item.
For more inventory management tips, check our storage and stash expansion guide.
Salvaging During Raids
If your inventory fills up mid-raid, you can salvage items on the spot, though this yields fewer materials than recycling at base. Still, it’s better than dropping valuable loot entirely.
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Pro Tip: Clean up your inventory on the loadout screen before starting a raid. This prevents emergency salvaging decisions under pressure.
Understanding Item Categories
ARC Raiders uses three main item classifications:
Recyclable Items: These display a “Recyclable” tag and can be broken down into crafting components like Metal Parts, Wires, Batteries, and more.
Trinkets: These show a diamond icon and “Trinket” tag—they cannot be recycled and exist purely for selling to traders.
Components and Materials: Already-refined items like ARC Alloy, Advanced Mechanical Components, or basic materials (Metal Parts, Rubber, etc.) used directly in crafting.
The Golden Rule: Sell vs. Recycle Math
Always compare an item’s sell price to the combined value of its recycled components. Here’s a perfect example:
Power Bank Analysis:
- Direct sell price: 1,000 coins
- Recycles into: 2x Battery + 2x Wires
- Component sell value: (2 × 500) + (2 × 200) = 1,400 coins
- Best choice: Recycle first, then sell the parts you don’t need
This math applies across dozens of items. Always check the recycle preview when dealing with high-value loot.
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Complete Item Recycle & Sell Reference Table
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of every recyclable and sellable item in ARC Raiders, including what they recycle into, their sell prices, and strategic recommendations.
Food & Agricultural Items
| Item | Recycles Into | Sell Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agave | — | $1,000 | Always sell |
| Agave Juice | — | $1,800 | Always sell |
| Apricot | 3× Assorted Seeds | $640 | Sell/recycle after Scrappy level 5 |
| Lemon | 3× Assorted Seeds | $640 | Sell/recycle after Scrappy level 3 |
| Mushroom | — | $1,000 | Sell after Scrappy level 5 |
| Olives | 2× Assorted Seeds | $640 | Sell after Scrappy level 4 |
| Prickly Pear | — | Variable | Keep for quests |
For more on food items and their uses, see our Lemons & Apricots farming guide and Mushroom locations guide.
Household & Decorative Items (Trinkets)
These items cannot be recycled—sell them all immediately for coins:
| Item | Sell Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Freshener | $2,000 | Pure profit |
| Bloated Tuna Can | $1,000 | Safe to sell |
| Breathtaking Snow Globe | $7,000 | High-value trinket |
| Cat Bed | $1,000 | Sell after Scrappy level 4 |
| Coffee Pot | $1,000 | Always sell |
| Dartboard | $2,000 | Always sell |
| Empty Wine Bottle | $1,000 | Sell after Pied Piper quest |
| Expired Pasta | $1,000 | Always sell |
| Faded Photograph | $640 | Always sell |
| Fertilizer | $1,000 | Sell after Unexpected Initiative quest |
| Film Reel | $2,000 | Sell after Movie Night quest |
| Fine Wristwatch | $3,000 | High-value trinket |
| Lance’s Mixtape (5th Edition) | $10,000 | Highest-value trinket in the game |
| Light Bulb | $2,000 | Sell after project use |
| Music Album | $3,000 | Always sell |
| Music Box | $5,000 | High-value trinket |
| Painted Box | $2,000 | Always sell |
| Playing Cards | $5,000 | High-value trinket |
| Poster of Natural Wonders | $2,000 | Always sell |
| Pottery | $2,000 | Always sell |
| Red Coral Jewelry | $5,000 | High-value trinket |
| Resin | $1,000 | Always sell |
| Roots | $640 | Always sell |
| Rosary | $2,000 | Always sell |
| Rubber Duck | $1,000 | Sell after Lance’s Tea Party quest |
| Silver Teaspoon Set | $3,000 | Always sell |
| Statuette | $3,000 | Always sell |
| Torn Book | $1,000 | Always sell |
| Vase | $3,000 | Always sell |
| Very Comfortable Pillow | $2,000 | Sell after Scrappy level 5 |
| Volcanic Rock | $270 | Low-value trinket |
Quick Tip: Prioritize picking up high-value trinkets ($3,000+) during raids—they’re pure profit with no crafting value lost.
Electronic & Technical Equipment
| Item | Recycles Into | Sell Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alarm Clock | 6× Plastic Parts + 1× Processor | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Broken Flashlight | 2× Battery + 6× Metal Parts | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Broken Guidance System | 4× Processor | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Broken Handheld Radio | 3× Sensors + 2× Wires | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Broken Taser | 2× Battery + 2× Wires | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Fried Motherboard | 5× Plastic Parts + 2× Electrical Components | $2,000 | Sell/recycle after Utility Station level 3 |
| Headphones | 7× Rubber Parts + 1× Speaker Components | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Industrial Charger | 5× Metal Parts + 1× Voltage Converter | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Portable TV | 6× Wires + 2× Battery | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Power Bank | 2× Battery + 2× Wires | $1,000 | Always recycle (parts worth $1,400) |
| Power Cable | 4× Wires | $1,000 | Keep for Gear Bench level 2 |
| Projector | 2× Wires + 1× Processor | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Radio | 1× Speaker Component + 1× Sensors | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Remote Control | 7× Plastic Parts + 1× Sensors | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Thermostat | 7× Rubber Parts + 1× Sensors | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
Learn more about upgrading your workshop to unlock higher-tier crafting options.
ARC Technology & Components
These are high-value recyclables that break down into advanced materials:
| Item | Recycles Into | Sell Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARC Coolant | 16× Chemicals | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| ARC Flex Rubber | 16× Rubber Parts | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| ARC Performance Steel | 12× Metal Parts | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| ARC Synthetic Resin | 14× Plastic Parts | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| ARC Thermo Lining | 16× Fabric | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Bastion Cell | 2× ARC Alloy + 2× Advanced Mechanical Components | $5,000 | Sell/recycle after Gear Bench level 3 |
| Bombardier Cell | 2× Advanced Mechanical Components + 2× ARC Alloys | $5,000 | Sell/recycle after Refiner level 3 |
| Burned ARC Circuitry | 2× ARC Alloy | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Damaged ARC Motion Core | 2× ARC Alloy | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Damaged Fireball Burner | 1× ARC Alloy | $270 | Recycle or sell |
| Damaged Hornet Driver | 2× ARC Alloy | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Damaged Rocketeer Driver | 3× ARC Alloy | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Degraded ARC Rubber | 11× Rubber Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Dried-Out ARC Resin | 9× Plastic Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Hornet Driver | 2× ARC Alloy + 2× Electrical Components | $2,000 | Keep until Trifecta/Wasps & Hornets quests + Gear Bench level 2 |
| Impure ARC Coolant | 12× Chemicals | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Leaper Pulse Unit | 3× ARC Alloy + 2× Advanced Mechanical Components | $5,000 | Keep for Into the Fray quest + Utility Station level 3 |
| Pop Trigger | 1× Crude Explosives + 1× ARC Alloy | $640 | Sell/recycle after Explosives Station level 2 |
| Rocketeer Driver | 3× ARC Alloy + 2× Advanced Electrical Components | $5,000 | Keep for Out of the Shadows quest + Explosives Station level 3 |
| Rusty ARC Steel | 8× Metal Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Sentinel Firing Core | 2× ARC Alloy + 3× Mechanical Components | $2,000 | Sell/recycle after Gunsmith level 3 |
| Snitch Scanner | 4× ARC Alloy | Variable | Keep for Trifecta quest + Utility Station level 2 |
| Spotter Relay | 2× Electrical Components + 1× ARC Alloy | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Surveyor Vault | 2× Mechanical Components + 2× ARC Alloy | $2,000 | Keep for Mixed Signals quest + Medical Lab level 3 |
| Tick Pod | 2× ARC Alloy + 2× Chemicals | $640 | Keep for Medical Lab level 2 + Small, But Sinister quest |
| Wasp Driver | 1× ARC Alloy + 1× Electrical Components | $1,000 | Keep until Gunsmith level 2 + Trifecta/Wasps & Hornets quests |
For specific ARC component farming, see our guides on ARC Motion Cores and Sentinel Firing Cores.
Industrial & Mechanical Parts
| Item | Recycles Into | Sell Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bicycle Pump | 4× Canister + 10× Metal Parts | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Candle Holder | 8× Metal Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Cooling Coil | 6× Chemicals + 2× Steel Springs | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Cooling Fan | 14× Plastic Parts + 4× Wires | $2,000 | Keep for Expedition projects |
| Damaged Heat Sink | 6× Metal Parts + 2× Wires | $1,000 | Sell/recycle after Utility Station level 2 |
| Frying Pan | 8× Metal Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Garlic Press | 12× Metal Parts | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Humidifier | 2× Canister + 2× Wires | $1,000 | Keep for Expedition projects |
| Ice Cream Scooper | 7× Metal Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Industrial Battery | 7× Chemicals + 2× Battery | $1,000 | Sell/recycle after Gear Bench level 3 |
| Industrial Magnet | 4× Metal Parts + 2× Magnet | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Metal Brackets | 8× Metal Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Motor | 2× Oil + 2× Mechanical Components | $2,000 | Sell/recycle after Refiner level 3 |
| Number Plate | 3× Metal Parts | $270 | Recycle or sell |
| Ruined Baton | 6× Metal Parts + 3× Rubber Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Ruined Handcuffs | 8× Metal Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Rusted Bolts | 8× Metal Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Rusted Gear | 4× Metal Parts + 2× Mechanical Components | $2,000 | Sell/recycle after Gunsmith level 3 |
| Rusted Tools | 8× Metal Parts + 1× Steel Spring | $1,000 | Keep until Gunsmith level 2 |
| Spring Cushion | 2× Durable Cloth + 2× Steel Springs | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Turbo Pump | 1× Mechanical Components + 3× Oil | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Unusable Weapon | 4× Metal Parts + 5× Simple Gun Parts | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Water Pump | 4× Metal Parts + 2× Oil | $1,000 | Sell after Unexpected Initiative quest |
Check out our Cooling Fan locations guide for efficient farming routes.
Chemicals & Fluids
| Item | Recycles Into | Sell Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolant | 5× Chemicals + 2× Oil | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Household Cleaner | 11× Chemicals | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Laboratory Reagents | 16× Chemicals + 3× Crude Explosives | $2,000 | Sell/recycle after Explosives Station level 3 |
| Polluted Air Filter | 6× Fabric + 2× Oil | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Synthesized Fuel | 1× Oil + 1× Chemicals | $700 | Sell/recycle after Explosives Station level 2 |
For farming Synthesized Fuel specifically, see our detailed farming guide.
Fabric & Textile Items
| Item | Recycles Into | Sell Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deflated Football | 9× Rubber Parts + 9× Fabric | $1,000 | Sell/recycle after League quest |
| Diving Goggles | 12× Rubber Parts | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Dog Collar | 8× Fabric + 1× Metal Parts | $640 | Keep until Scrappy level 2 |
| Expired Respirator | 8× Rubber Parts + 4× Fabric | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Ripped Safety Vest | 1× Durable Cloth + 1× Magnet | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Rubber Pad | 18× Rubber Parts | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Ruined Accordion | 18× Rubber Parts + 3× Steel Spring | $2,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Ruined Parachute | 10× Fabric | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Ruined Riot Shield | 10× Plastic Parts + 6× Rubber Parts | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
| Ruined Tactical Vest | 5× Fabric + 1× Magnet | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Tattered ARC Lining | 12× Fabric | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Tattered Clothes | 11× Fabric | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Torn Blanket | 12× Fabric | $640 | Recycle or sell |
| Water Filter | 2× Rubber Parts + 3× Canister | $1,000 | Recycle or sell |
Medical Supplies
| Item | Recycles Into | Sell Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Lens | 8× Plastic Parts | $640 | Sell/recycle after Movie Night quest |
| Cracked Bioscanner | 3× Rubber Parts + 3× Battery | $1,000 | Keep until Medical Lab level 2 |
| Crumpled Plastic Bottle | 4× Plastic Parts | $270 | Recycle or sell |
| Rusted Shut Medical Kit | 2× Syringe + 1× Antiseptic | $2,000 | Sell/recycle after Medical Lab level 3 |
| Syringe | 3× Plastic Parts + 2× Chemicals | $500 | Sell/recycle after Doctor’s Orders quest |
For quest-specific medical items, check our Doctor’s Orders quest guide.
Items to NEVER Recycle (Until Specific Milestones)
These items seem recyclable but are essential for progression. Keep them until you’ve completed their associated requirements:
Workshop Upgrade Essentials
Gear Bench:
- Power Cable (level 2)
- Hornet Driver (level 2)
- Industrial Battery + Bastion Cell (level 3)
Gunsmith:
- Rusted Tools (level 2)
- Wasp Driver (level 2)
- Rusted Gear + Sentinel Firing Core (level 3)
Medical Lab:
- Cracked Bioscanner + Tick Pod (level 2)
- Rusted Shut Medical Kit + Surveyor Vault (level 3)
Utility Station:
- Damaged Heat Sink + Snitch Scanner (level 2)
- Leaper Pulse Unit + Fried Motherboard (level 3)
Explosives Station:
- Pop Trigger + Synthesized Fuel (level 2)
- Laboratory Reagents + Rocketeer Driver (level 3)
Refiner:
- Toaster (level 2)
- Motor + Bombardier Cell (level 3)
Learn about workshop upgrades and their benefits.
Quest-Required Items
Hold onto these until you’ve completed their associated quests:
- Apricot/Lemon – Scrappy upgrades (levels 3-5)
- Camera Lens – Movie Night quest
- Cracked Bioscanner – Medical facility quests
- Deflated Football – League quest
- Empty Wine Bottle – Pied Piper quest
- Fertilizer – Unexpected Initiative quest
- Film Reel – Movie Night quest
- Hornet Driver – Trifecta + Wasps and Hornets quests
- Leaper Pulse Unit – Into the Fray quest
- Rocketeer Driver – Out of the Shadows quest
- Rubber Duck – Lance’s Tea Party quest
- Snitch Scanner – Trifecta quest
- Surveyor Vault – Mixed Signals quest
- Syringe – Doctor’s Orders quest
- Tick Pod – Small, But Sinister quest
- Wasp Driver – Trifecta + Wasps and Hornets quests
- Water Pump – Unexpected Initiative quest
For a complete mission list, visit our All Quests & Missions guide.
Expedition Project Materials
If you’re working on long-term Expedition projects (unlocked at level 20), hold onto:
- Cooling Fan (3x required)
- Humidifier (several required)
- Leaper Pulse Unit (3x required)
- Light Bulb (multiple required)
- Magnetic Accelerator (3x required)
Learn more about the Expedition and Legacy system.
Smart Inventory Management Strategies
Prioritize High-Value Recycling
Some items have terrible sell prices but excellent recycle value. Always recycle:
Power Bank: $1,000 sell → $1,400 in parts
Bicycle Pump: $2,000 sell → Often more value in Canisters + Metal Parts
ARC Performance Steel: $1,000 sell → 12x Metal Parts for crafting
Sell Pure Trinkets Immediately
Any item with the diamond icon cannot be recycled. Sell these on sight to free inventory space:
- High-value ($5,000+): Lance’s Mixtape, Breathtaking Snow Globe, Music Box, Playing Cards, Red Coral Jewelry
- Medium-value ($2,000-3,000): Fine Wristwatch, Silver Teaspoon Set, Statuette, Vase, Music Album
Track Your Workshop Needs
Use the “Track Resources” button in your Workshop menu to see which materials you need for upcoming upgrades. This helps you make informed recycling decisions during raids.
Clean Before You Extract
Sort your inventory on the loadout screen before deploying. This prevents mid-raid panic decisions where you salvage valuable items at reduced yields.
Consider Component Sell Prices
Basic materials sell individually:
- Battery: ~500 coins
- Wires: ~200 coins
- Metal Parts: ~125 coins
- Plastic Parts: ~100 coins
If you’re low on coins but have excess materials from recycling, sell the components directly.
For more money-making strategies, check our coin farming guide.
When to Recycle vs. Sell: The Decision Framework
Recycle if:
- You need specific crafting components for upcoming upgrades
- The item’s component value exceeds its sell price
- You have plenty of coins but lack materials
- You’re working toward workshop or gear crafting milestones
Sell if:
- It’s a trinket (diamond icon) with no recycle option
- You’re low on coins and need immediate purchasing power
- You have abundant materials but empty pockets
- The sell price equals or exceeds the recycled component value
Keep if:
- It’s required for an incomplete quest
- You haven’t reached the workshop level that uses it
- It’s needed for Expedition projects you’re pursuing
- You’re uncertain about future needs (better safe than sorry early-game)
Common Recycling Mistakes to Avoid
Recycling Power Cables Too Early: These are needed for Gear Bench level 2. Many players recycle them immediately for Wires, then struggle to find more later.
Selling ARC Technology Instead of Recycling: Items like ARC Coolant, ARC Performance Steel, and ARC Synthetic Resin recycle into 12-16 units of basic materials—far more valuable than their $1,000 sell price suggests.
Hoarding Everything: Stash space is limited in ARC Raiders, and overcrowding prevents you from storing valuable raid loot. Learn to let go of items you’ve already used for their intended purpose.
Ignoring the Recycle Preview: Always check what components you’ll receive before confirming. The preview shows exact quantities and helps you compare value.
Salvaging in Raids Without Reason: Salvaging during raids yields fewer materials than base recycling. Only salvage if you absolutely need the inventory space for something more valuable.
Additional Resources
For more help with specific items and quests mentioned in this guide:
Resource Farming:
- Complete Loot Table & Farming Guide
- Mechanical Components Farming
- Rusted Gears Locations
- Rusted Tools Farming
- Toaster Locations
Quest Guides:
Upgrade & Crafting:
Gameplay Tips:
Final Thoughts
Mastering the recycling and selling system in ARC Raiders is essential for efficient progression. The key is developing a rhythm: sell pure trinkets immediately, recycle items with better component value than sell price, and hoard anything needed for workshops or quests until you’ve completed those milestones.
As you advance through the game, you’ll develop intuition for what’s valuable in your current phase. Early game focuses on basic workshop upgrades (Metal Parts, Wires, Batteries). Mid-game shifts toward advanced components (ARC Alloys, Mechanical Components). Late-game emphasizes Expedition project materials and rare driver components.
Use this guide as your reference cheat sheet during raids. With smart inventory management, you’ll always have the materials you need while maximizing coin generation from excess loot.
Download ARC Raiders on PlayStation or Xbox and start optimizing your inventory strategy today!
Need more ARC Raiders help? Check out our complete quest list or learn how to play with friends.
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