How to Recycle in RoadCraft
Image Credits: Saber Interactive, RoadCraft
Recycling in RoadCraft isn’t super complicated once you know how it works, but the game does a pretty bad job explaining the process.
If you’ve driven around with a truck full of junk wondering why the depot just ignores you... you’re not the only one.
Here’s how recycling actually works, how to convert debris into usable pipes, and what to do when it looks like the game is broken.
Read More: Tips and Tricks | RoadCraft Guide
What You Need to Recycle
To start recycling, you need blue steel items.
This is easy to miss, especially since the recycling center has yellow markings, which makes some players assume yellow debris should go there.
Nope. Not on the third map.
Blue steel debris is what the third map’s depot accepts, and it's used to make new pipes. Other types of trash, like rubber or yellow junk, won't work at this facility.
Where to Bring the Items
Once your truck is loaded with blue steel junk, drive into the big yellow square with the recycling symbol.
It’s the one with arrows pointing inward, usually near the main depot building.
Make sure the cargo is unstrapped. As soon as your truck is parked in the square, the items should vanish automatically.
If nothing happens... double check that:
You have the right color of item (blue steel only)
You’re in the input square, not the output zone
The cargo is unstrapped
You’re not slightly off target. The square is picky
How to Produce the Pipes
Once you drop off enough scrap, the steel bar meter at the facility will fill.
When it’s full, you’ll see an on-screen prompt to create a pipe.
After confirming, a pipe will spawn in the nearby output zone, usually another yellow square off to the side.
You need to manually load this pipe onto your truck. It does not auto-load or teleport. Use your crane or just push it into place if you’re in a hurry.
Why You Can’t “Take Out” Pipes
If you see a number saying there are pipes at the depot but pressing Z does nothing...
That’s likely a keyboard issue. Some players using different layouts have found that it actually wants you to press Y, not Z.
Either way, check your key bindings if the prompt doesn't work. And remember, pipes at the depot don't go into your inventory automatically.
They drop in the output square, and you have to move them yourself.
If It Still Doesn’t Work...
Make sure you’re not trying to recycle yellow or rubber items on the steel-only map
Make sure you’re using the input square, not just unloading items nearby
If you're colorblind or unsure, rely on the mini-map icon colors. Blue items = steel
If the steel meter doesn’t go up, that just means it’s not the right kind of material.
Final Blurb & FAQ
RoadCraft’s recycling system is useful once it clicks, but it’s not very forgiving if you’re new or just color-confused.
Focus on steel debris, double check your controls, and remember that nothing in this game is going to hand itself over. You gotta move everything, every time.
FAQ
Q: How do I recycle in RoadCraft?
Bring blue steel items to the input square at the recycling depot, unstrap them, and they’ll disappear automatically.
Q: What items can I recycle on the third map?
Only blue steel debris. Yellow or rubber items won’t work on this map.
Q: Why doesn’t the Z key work to pick up pipes?
It may be a keyboard layout issue. Some users with German keyboards need to press Y instead.
Q: Where do the pipes go after recycling?
They spawn in the output square. You have to load them yourself using a crane or by pushing them.
Q: My steel meter isn’t going up. What’s wrong?
That meter only fills when you deposit steel. If you're using the wrong materials, the game won't show progress.
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