A renewable resource (as opposed to a non-renewable resource, or finite resource) is a resource that can be recreated indefinitely in Survival without exploiting glitches or using cheat commands. While running completely out of resources is unlikely to be a factor in normal worlds due to the massive size of a Minecraft map, only some resources can be produced over and over without having to explore more terrain. Running out of resources can be a bigger issue on Superflat worlds, where resources are less plentiful, in PvP maps, where one would like to obtain resources without having to conquer more land, or simply if the accessible portion of the map is limited.
The listed fully renewable craftable items are items that can be crafted, smelted, or brewed using only renewable resources. For example, cookies are renewable as they require only wheat and cocoa beans, both of which can be regrown infinitely.
Most items dropped by animals or monsters are renewable because more mobs of the same kind can spawn and be killed again for more loot. The exceptions are drops of enemies that spawn just once with the generation of specific structures, such as elder guardians (three spawn with each ocean monument). Drops of hostile mobs, with the exception of those obtainable by other means, are not renewable on Peaceful difficulty because the monsters do not spawn.
Methods for renewably obtaining[]
Many resources are renewably obtainable using certain main methods, such as farming. Others are obtainable by unusual item-specific methods, which can vary from building a cobblestone generator to harvesting obsidian from portals to collecting dragon breath into a bottle. The renewable method to obtain an item is not necessarily the easiest, fastest or safest, and may in some cases be highly impractical.
The most common methods for renewably obtaining items, ordered roughly by increasing effort are:
- Farming and plant growth - grow it on the dirt or farmland etc using renewable resources
- Breeding and harvesting certain mobs
- Crafting, smelting, brewing etc using only renewable resource(s)
- Common drops from killing mobs
- Fishing
- Trading with villagers
- Trading with wandering traders
- Bartering with piglins
- Rare mob drops
- Receiving gifts from villagers after defeating a raid
- Receiving gifts from cats
- Constructing item and mob farms for resource drops
- Taking advantage of various other mechanics that generate or convert blocks and items, such as cobblestone generation, freezing ice, and filling up lava cauldrons
The first three methods are often the most practical ways to obtain items that can be obtained by using them.
Most items obtainable by fishing and trading are obtainable in some other way, which may be easier or of comparable difficulty, but may not be renewable. They are especially worth using when the player wants to avoid the risk of mining, such as while playing in Hardcore mode.
Grinding for rare drops is rarely practical unless there is no other option, as the player must kill many mobs to obtain the desired drops.
Renewable[]
Tradable[]
These items are renewable only through trading with villagers or wandering traders, and not by any other method.
| Resource | Renewable products | Renewable sources |
|---|---|---|
| Banner Pattern "Globe" |
— | |
| Bell |
— | |
| Bottle o' Enchanting |
  
|
|
| Coral Blocks |
Obtained by trading with a wandering trader. | |
| Diamond gear |
— | |
| Glass |
||
| Lapis Lazuli |
| |
| Podzol |
| |
| Rooted Dirt |
| |
| Sand |
| |
| Small Dripleaf |
|
Rare drops[]
These items are considered rare drops or are obtained by a mob dying in a unique way. For some of these items, this is the only way to obtain them; otherwise, this is the only renewable way to obtain them. Rare drops do not include any item the mob picked up after spawning. Mob farms are an option for obtaining rare drops more easily.
| Resource | Renewable products | Renewable sources |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Ingot |
| |
| Mob Heads |
| |
| Music Discs |
— | |
| Trident |
— |
|
All status effects which can be legitimately obtained in Survival are also renewable.
Bedrock Edition[]
Most resources are as renewable in Bedrock Edition as they are in Java Edition. The resources which are renewable in Bedrock Edition, but not in Java Edition, are listed here. For the ones which are non-renewable in Bedrock Edition, but renewable in Java Edition, see the Non-renewable resource page.
| Resource | Renewable products | Renewable sources |
|---|---|---|
| Arrow of Decay |
— |
Video[]
Trivia[]
- Using certain glitches, most non-renewable items can be obtained indefinitely; see Tutorials/Block and item duplication. However, the use of such glitches are not considered a renewable method.
- In addition to the items listed, experience and all status effects and enchantments (apart from Swift Sneak) that can be obtained in Survival are also renewable.