Arknights Endfield Recycling Stations: Every Location & Reward

Recycling stations in Arknights: Endfield are fixed map points where you turn in collected junk and surplus materials for currency and upgrade items; this article lists every known station location and what each one rewards. You find them in the open-world hub areas and a few instanced zones, and each station has its own loot table tied to the region it serves. Below is the full breakdown of where they are, what they give, and how to upgrade them.

What Recycling Stations Do

Recycling stations are the game’s way of converting the scrap, broken parts, and excess ores you pick up while exploring into something useful. Instead of letting junk pile up in your inventory, you bring it to a station, and it pays out in two forms: Recycling Tokens (the station’s local currency) and Upgrade Modules (items used to improve the station itself). The station level determines how many items you can turn in per day and which reward tiers are available.

Each station is tied to a specific region, so the junk you find in one area is usually best sold at that area’s station for a bonus. Selling at a different station still works, but you get a smaller payout and no region bonus.

Every Station Location

As of the current build, there are six recycling stations spread across the playable map. They are marked on the world map with a green recycle icon, and you can fast-travel to any station you have already visited.

Ridgeback Outpost – In the northeast corner of the starting zone, next to the abandoned supply depot. This is the first station you unlock, and it’s where the tutorial sends you.
Saltwind Harbor – On the west coast of the second zone, near the fishing docks. It’s inside a warehouse with a blue roof.
Gravelwash Basin – In the central-south part of the third zone, under the large water tower. The station is partially hidden behind a stack of crates.
Old Furnace Site – In the fourth zone’s eastern industrial ruins, inside a half-collapsed building. You’ll need to clear a few low-level enemies to get inside.
Fernwood Clearing – In the fifth zone’s northwest forest area, near a campfire. This one is easy to miss because it blends in with the environment.
Lastlight Bunker – In the final zone, at the southern end of the map, behind a locked door that requires a keycard from a nearby side quest.

Rewards by Station

Each station offers a unique set of rewards that refresh daily. The common rewards across all stations are Recycling Tokens, basic upgrade materials, and a small amount of in-game currency. The unique rewards are what make each station worth visiting.

Ridgeback Outpost – Gives Scrap Metal Coils, used for early-game equipment upgrades. Also has a chance to drop a Ridgeback Badge, which is needed for one of the main story quests.
Saltwind Harbor – Offers Rustproof Plating, a material for weapon mods. Occasionally rewards Saltwind Shell, a cosmetic item for your base.
Gravelwash Basin – Provides Filtered Sand, used in crafting certain consumables. Rarely drops Basin Crystal, which is a component for high-tier gear.
Old Furnace Site – Gives Refractory Bricks, needed for base building upgrades. Has a small chance to yield Furnace Core, a rare material for endgame crafting.
Fernwood Clearing – Offers Resin Extract, used in making adhesives and coatings. Can drop Fernwood Sap, a crafting ingredient for healing items.
Lastlight Bunker – Gives Reinforced Alloy, a high-end material for endgame equipment. Rarely drops Lastlight Chip, which is used in a special side quest.

How to Upgrade a Recycling Station

Upgrading a station increases its daily turnover limit and unlocks better reward tiers. To upgrade, you need two things: the station’s specific upgrade material (listed above) and a certain number of Recycling Tokens. The upgrade process is done at the station itself, in the “Manage” menu.

Open the station menu and select “Upgrade Station.”
Check the required materials – each level needs a different amount of the station’s unique material and tokens.
Confirm the upgrade. The station is unavailable for 10 minutes while the upgrade is in progress (you can still use other stations).
After the upgrade, the daily turnover limit increases by 50 items, and new reward tiers are added to the pool.

There are five upgrade levels per station. The final level unlocks a special weekly reward, like a unique skin or a rare material bundle.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A frequent mistake is selling all your junk at the first station you find, not realizing that each station gives a bonus for region-specific items. For example, if you pick up Saltwind Barnacles in the harbor area, selling them at Saltwind Harbor gives you 20% more tokens than selling them elsewhere. Always check the item description – it will say “Best sold at: [Station Name].”

Another issue is that some players think the stations are one-time use. They are not – they reset daily (at 4:00 AM server time). The daily turnover limit is per station, not per account, so you can visit all six stations in one day if you have enough junk.

One misconception is that upgrading a station increases the token payout per item. It does not – it only increases the daily limit and unlocks higher-tier rewards. If you want more tokens per item, you need to sell at the correct station and have a high reputation with that region (earned by completing side quests).

How to Choose Which Station to Use

Your choice depends on what you need at the moment. If you’re working on base building, prioritize the Old Furnace Site for Refractory Bricks. If you’re upgrading weapons, go to Saltwind Harbor for Rustproof Plating. For general materials, the Lastlight Bunker has the most valuable drops, but it’s locked behind a keycard quest, so you’ll need to complete that first.

It’s also worth noting that the daily turnover limit is shared across all items at a station. So if you have a lot of low-value junk, you might fill up the limit quickly and not have room for the high-value items. Plan accordingly – sell the high-value items first, then fill the rest with whatever you have.

Costs and Efficiency Tips

Upgrading a station costs only the materials and tokens listed – there is no additional in-game currency fee. However, the tokens you spend on upgrades are the same tokens you earn from selling junk, so you’re effectively reinvesting your earnings. A good strategy is to save your tokens for the station you use most often, rather than spreading them across all six.

For efficiency, always sell items at their recommended station, and try to complete the daily quests that give bonus tokens. Some side quests also reward station-specific materials, so keep an eye out for those.

Alternatives to Recycling Stations

If you don’t want to travel to a station, you can break down junk in your inventory for basic materials, but you won’t get any tokens or unique items. Another alternative is the trading post in the main hub, where you can exchange some materials for others, but the rates are worse than what you get at a recycling station. For rare materials, the only reliable source is the stations, so it’s worth the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do recycling stations respawn their junk?

No, the stations themselves don’t spawn junk – you bring your own. But the junk in the world does respawn after a few days, so you can farm the same areas for more materials.

Can I sell items at a station that doesn’t match the region?

Yes, you can sell any junk at any station, but you’ll get a 20% penalty on tokens. The only exception is if the item says “Best sold at” a specific station – then the penalty is 30% if you sell elsewhere.

What is the daily turnover limit?

At level 1, the limit is 100 items per station. Each upgrade adds 50 more, so at level 5, you can turn in 300 items per day at that station.

Is there a way to reset the daily limit?

No, the limit resets automatically at 4:00 AM server time. You cannot reset it manually, so plan your selling accordingly.

Do the unique rewards drop every time?

No, the unique items (like Ridgeback Badge or Lastlight Chip) have a drop chance, not a guarantee. The chance is about 10% at level 1 and increases to 25% at level 5.

Are there any hidden stations?

No, the six listed are all that exist in the current version. Any rumors of a seventh station are unfounded.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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