What Are Plastic Parts Used For?
Plastic Parts are a basic crafting material, classified as “common.” Despite being common, you will need them in significant quantities for almost everything you craft. Some key items that require Plastic Parts include:
Weapon upgrades like Angled Grips and Extended Mags
Consumables such as Adrenaline Shots and grenades
Equipment like Binoculars, Defibrillators, and Light Shields
In practical terms, if you are trying to keep up with crafting mid- to late-game gear, you’ll find that running out of Plastic Parts can slow you down significantly. That’s why knowing how to farm and recycle them efficiently is crucial.
Where Can You Find Plastic Parts?
Plastic Parts appear in several locations across the map, primarily from three types of areas:
Commercial Areas – Offices, factories, and other industrial buildings often have crates or containers that drop Plastic Parts. These areas tend to be well-populated with enemies, so you need to move carefully.
Residential Areas – Homes and apartment blocks can have smaller amounts, but they are usually easier to clear and quicker to farm. Residential zones are good for regular farming when you don’t want to risk higher-level combat zones.
Technological Areas – These include labs and workshops. They may drop Plastic Parts directly or provide other items that can be recycled into Plastic Parts.
One thing to note is that loot distribution can feel random. You may run a building three times and get different amounts each time. Experienced players often prioritize zones that combine high loot density with low enemy threat, rather than chasing every potential spawn.
Can You Buy Plastic Parts?
Yes. NPC vendors such as Celeste or Scrappy sell them directly. Buying Plastic Parts is usually a convenience option, especially if you are short on time or preparing for a large crafting session.
If you are playing on console, you might also encounter arc raiders items for sale xbox—these usually include bundles of materials, and while they cost premium currency, they can save a lot of farming time if you need Plastic Parts quickly.
Recycling: Turning Old Items Into Plastic Parts
One of the most effective ways to get Plastic Parts is by recycling. Many common and mid-tier items can be broken down to recover Plastic Parts. Here’s how recycling works in practice:
Every item has a fixed “Recycled Qty,” which tells you how many Plastic Parts you’ll get back. For example, recycling an Angled Grip I gives you 6 Plastic Parts, while a Binocular returns 4.
Some items have a “Salvaged Qty,” which is a smaller number you get when breaking down items that have been partially used or degraded.
Consumables like Adrenaline Shots or grenades can also yield Plastic Parts when recycled.
The takeaway is that holding onto every minor item isn’t always necessary. If you are stockpiling mid-tier gear you no longer use, recycling can provide a steady flow of Plastic Parts without extra scavenging.
Scavenging Tips for Efficient Farming
Here are some practical habits I follow when farming Plastic Parts:
Clear in Loops – Don’t run a building and leave. Clear multiple nearby buildings in one loop. This minimizes travel time and maximizes material collection.
Target Containers – Crates, vending machines, and desks are the most consistent sources. If you see a pile of junk, scan for interactive objects—almost all of them drop either Plastic Parts or recyclable items.
Recycle While You Go – Carry a portable crafting station if possible. Recycle mid-mission rather than hoarding everything in your inventory. This frees up space and ensures you get Plastic Parts in a predictable quantity.
Watch Enemy Patrols – Some high-yield areas are heavily guarded. Observing patrol patterns before engaging saves ammo and time. Often, you can slip past enemies to reach the loot first, which speeds up farming significantly.
Crafting Considerations
Plastic Parts are a component in a variety of crafting recipes, from simple consumables to gear upgrades. Some examples include:
Adrenaline Shot: 3 Plastic Parts + 3 Chemicals
Angled Grip I: 6 Plastic Parts + 1 Duct Tape
Defibrillator: 9 Plastic Parts + 1 Moss (requires Medical Lab 2)
When planning your crafting sessions, I recommend keeping a rough “stockpile” of Plastic Parts. Even if you only craft low-tier items occasionally, having a buffer of 50–100 Plastic Parts can prevent wasted trips or missing out on gear upgrades mid-mission.
Workshop Upgrades
Plastic Parts are also required for workshop upgrades:
Gear Bench 1: 25 Plastic Parts + 30 Fabric
Utility Bench 1: 50 Plastic Parts + 6 ARC Alloy
Upgrading your workshop is worth it because higher-tier benches allow crafting of more advanced gear, which in turn increases your efficiency in combat and scavenging. Stockpiling Plastic Parts before attempting upgrades is usually smarter than rushing the process.
Key Takeaways
Plastic Parts are everywhere but managing them efficiently makes a huge difference.
Scavenging, recycling, and vendor purchases are your three main sources.
Recycling old gear provides predictable quantities of Plastic Parts and prevents inventory clutter.
Combining scavenging routes with mid-mission recycling is the fastest way to maintain a healthy supply.
Workshop upgrades require Plastic Parts, so plan ahead to avoid bottlenecks.
By understanding where to find Plastic Parts, how to recycle, and how to plan your crafting, you can ensure that your gear is always ready for any mission. In practice, the best players balance scavenging with recycling and occasionally supplement their supplies via NPCs or sales like arc raiders items for sale xbox. This approach keeps your inventory lean while giving you a steady supply of this essential material.
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