Recycled Trash

Recycled Trash replaces the usual /trash command with something a little more useful. Instead of permanently deleting items, it stores them in a database where administrators can browse, search, and retrieve them whenever needed.

It can also automatically collect dropped items before they despawn or get destroyed by lava, helping keep your world clean without letting everything go to waste.

Features

A better trash system

• Simple /trash GUI — A familiar 27-slot inventory for disposing of unwanted items.
• Persistent storage — Trashed items are saved to a local database and remain available after server restarts.
• Enchanted item protection — Optional confirmation screen prevents players from accidentally throwing away enchanted equipment or books.
• Item preservation — Enchantments, custom names, lore, damage, and other item data are preserved.

Automatic recycling

• Collect items before they despawn — Automatically saves eligible dropped items shortly before Minecraft would remove them.
• Lava recycling — Items thrown into lava can be recovered instead of being destroyed.
• Configurable filters — Blacklists, whitelists, minimum stack sizes, and named-item exclusions.
• Flexible collection range — Choose between recycling items near players or throughout loaded chunks.
• Performance-conscious design — Uses event tracking and scheduled collection instead of constantly scanning every dropped item.

Administration and recovery

• Browse stored items — Inspect everything collected through the trash system.
• Search and filter — Find items by name, player, or collection source.
• Recover items — Withdraw stored items directly from the administrator GUI.
• Similar-item grouping — Identical items can be combined into stacks for easier browsing.
• Item history — View where items came from, who discarded them, and when they were collected.

Statistics

• Player leaderboard — See who's recycled the most items manually.
• Material counters — Check how many items of a specific type are currently stored or have ever been collected.
• Persistent totals — Historical statistics survive withdrawals, database maintenance, and server restarts.
• Optional bStats — Anonymous plugin usage metrics, which can be disabled in the configuration.

Storage and customization

• Local database — No MySQL or external database required.
• Database maintenance — Configure retention limits, automatic cleanup, and compaction.
• Configurable GUI titles and commands — Customize the plugin to suit your server.
• Reloadable settings — Apply most configuration changes without restarting.
• Granular permissions — Control access to administrative commands and item recovery.

Commands

/rt is also available as a shortcut for /recycledtrash, provided another plugin hasn't already registered it.

Search examples:

/rt view diamond
/rt view player:Steve
/rt view source:auto
/rt view source:mob rotten_flesh
/rt collected_items diamond ever

Permissions

The legacy recycledtrash.admin permission is also supported.

Compatibility

• Platform: Bukkit, Spigot, and Paper
• Minecraft: 1.16.5 and newer (developed against the older API for broad compatibility)
• Java: 8 or newer
• Dependencies: None required

Compatibility with every newer server version has not been individually tested.

Why use Recycled Trash?

Whether you're running a small survival server or a larger community, Recycled Trash gives you more control over items that would otherwise disappear forever.

Players get a straightforward way to clear their inventories, administrators get a searchable history of discarded items, and the server gets an automatic recycling system designed to avoid unnecessary overhead.

Throw it away. Find it again. Recycle it.