Item Recycling
⚪ Last updated 2013⚠️ Install Order · 3 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview

🔍 Analysis
- 👍 5.2% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
📋 About This Mod
The Item Recycling mod adds 168 new recipes for crafting ingots at smelters. Virtually every metal item in Skyrim can now be melted down into an ingot. This mod is perfect for thieves and blacksmiths alike. Worthless items like goblets and silver platters can now be melted down into silver ingots and sold to vendors. Blacksmiths who need a way of improving their smithing skill but have trouble finding enough ingots can simply melt down any iron they can find and then forge that iron into daggers. This mod gives meaning to alot of the seemingly benign clutter around Skyrim. IMPORTANT NOTE: As of version 1. 2 (Most Recent) a new feature has been added that prevents you from melting down an item that you have equipped. This however will not prevent you from melting down weapons equipped in the left hand due to a limitation with the GetEquipped function of the creation kit. All other weapons, armor and shields are protected from meltdown when equipped. WARNING: Weapons but not shields, held in the left hand are NOT protected from being melted down. Everything else is safe. IMPORTANT NOTE: As of version 1. 1 the smelting menu is no longer massive and only shows items that can be crafted. If you do not have the items necessary to smelt an ingot then the ingot recipe will not be visible. For those of you that don\'t know this is in response to comments that the menu was to large and took to long to scroll through. Recipes: 2 Daggers = 1 ingot 1 Sword = 1 ingot 1 Mace = 1 ingot 1 War Axe = 1 ingot 1 Warhammer = 2 ingots 1 Battle Axe = 2 ingots 1 Greatsword = 3 ingots 1 Bow = 2 ingots 10 Arrows = 1 ingot 1 Chest Piece = 3 ingots 1 Gauntlet Set = 1 ingot 1 Boot Set = 2 ingots 1 Shield = 2 ingots 1 helmet = 2 ingots As stated earlier this mod adds 168 new smelting recipes, this includes alot more than armor and weapons. Items such as Kettles and Silverware can now be melted down. Notes: Dragon armor can not be melted down. This mod does not include certain dwarven items because several can already be melted down as part of the vanilla game. (This will be changed with my next update) Scaled and studded armors can not be melted down. (This will be changed with my next update) This mod does not include armor and weapons that are part of the Dragonborn DLC or the Dawngaurd DLC. This mod does include Arrows. I have all of the smelting recipes set to yield slightly less metal than was originally put into the weapon/armor. This is meant to add some challenge for blacksmiths who want to improve their skill. (so they can\'t repeatedly smelt and reforge daggers) If you find any metal items in Skyrim (other than those listed above) that cannot be melted down then please leave a note in the comments. I probably missed a few. Certain glazed jugs and bowls can be melted down into ma
Item Recycling adds 168 new smelter recipes, letting you melt virtually every metal item in Skyrim into ingots. Perfect for thieves and blacksmiths who want to turn worthless loot into useful materials. A classic crafting overhaul with strong community support.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Huge community trust with 7,409 endorsements and 143k downloads.
- Turns junk loot into useful ingots, making theft and looting more rewarding.
- Simple concept that fits seamlessly into vanilla crafting.
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in 2013, so may have compatibility issues with newer Skyrim versions or mods.
- Only covers metal items; non-metal loot still has no recycling option.
For Skyrim players who hoard every piece of loot and want to turn worthless metal items into ingots for smithing. Also great for thief characters who want extra value from stolen goods. Skip if you prefer gameplay overhauls or don't use smithing much.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Place the mod's files into your Skyrim Data folder or use a mod manager like Nexus Mod Manager for easy installation.
- Check your load order to ensure Item Recycling loads after any mods that alter smelter recipes.
- Test the mod at a smelter early to confirm recipes appear; if not, verify the mod is active.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim LE Mods
- Author
- Derangedhk417 robinsonadam83 on steam
- Version
- 1.3
- Downloads
- 143,287
- Endorsements
- 7,409
- Category
- Crafting
- Created
- 7/27/2013
- Updated
- 7/27/2013
🔧 How to Install Skyrim LE Mods
Download from Nexus.
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Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
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