A non-renewable resource (as opposed to a renewable resource) is a resource that can be obtained in survival without exploiting glitches or using commands, but can't be recreated indefinitely without doing so. While running out of most resources isn't likely to be a factor due to massive size of an Minecraft map, this is a list of resources that can't be produced indefinitely without eventually having to explore more terrain.
Most non-renewable resources aren't renewable because they can be only obtained trough crafting recipe which consumes non-renewable items, others can only be obtained by finding them as naturally generated blocks, in structure loot chests or as a drop from certain enemies which don't respawn; Elder guardians Illagers and shulkers, which only spawn as a part of structure generation, the Wither, which can only be spawned by the player using non-renewable soulsand
Many normally renewable resources become non-renewable if playing on peaceful difficulty, as monsters do not spawn.
The degree of impact non-renewability has on normal game play largely depends on how limited the resource in question is.
Non-renewable, but extremely abundant
While technically not renewable, these resources or their non-renewable raw materials are so common in default world generation that they are unlikely to be used up in even small areas of the map.
| Resource | Non-renewable products | How to obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt Template:Simple Slot |
Template:Simple Slot|Template:Simple Slot | Commonly found in most overworld biomes, under the grass |
Non-renewable, less abundant
These resources are less common, and players may be forced to explore further out to find more, especially on servers involved in multiple large building projects using them. Often they don't really run out, but the remaining material is far harder to collect than it is to just explore more. For example nether quartz generates throughout netherrack, but most players only harvest the veins visible from on cavern surfaces.
Non-renewable, rare
These resources are limited enough to force players wander far and wide to find them in any decent quantity, especially on servers.