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If you’ve spent any real time scavenging across Appalachia, you’ve probably noticed that your stash box fills up with “junk” faster than you can scrap it. But here’s the thing—junk isn’t always junk. Some items convert surprisingly well into caps, especially when you know what traders, players, and crafting stations really value. Whether you’re trying to build wealth or just lighten your load, here are 17 junk items that consistently yield solid returns in Fallout 76.

1. Aluminum Cans & Trays

Aluminum is a critical crafting component, especially for repairing and modding weapons. Players often overlook aluminum cans, but once bulked and sold, they fetch decent caps in player vending machines.

2. Ballistic Fiber (Military Ammo Bags, Military Grade Duct Tape)

Hard to find and extremely useful, items that break down into ballistic fiber are always in demand. They're a stealthy way to generate caps quickly.

3. Circuitry Components (Microscopes, Hot Plates)

These are worth scrapping for circuits, a necessary material for many high-end mods. Keep an eye out and stockpile them for trading or vending.

4. Crystal (High-Powered Microscopes)

Crystal is a niche crafting item, but demand spikes for base defense and energy weapons. Microscopes scrap into a tidy profit.

5. Fiber Optics (Flight Recorders, Biometric Scanners)

Used in energy weapon mods and defenses, fiber optics components sell surprisingly well. They also add up fast when bulked.

6. Screws (Globes, Toy Trucks)

If you’ve ever tried to craft a weapon mod, you know how essential screws are. Items that scrap into screws remain evergreen trade material.

7. Lead (Weights, Paint Cans)

Lead is essential for making ammo. Because of this, it's a reliable cap-earner when sold in bulk, especially to ammo-focused players.

8. Plastic (Trays, Forks, Cutlery Sets)

Plastic is everywhere, but it’s also heavily used in crafting bulk items. Once you collect enough and scrap it, you’ll find it’s more profitable than it seems.

9. Adhesive Sources (Duct Tape, Wonderglue)

Adhesive is a core crafting component. Don’t pass up duct tape—it adds up and sells well when stocked in vending machines.

10. Oil (Used Oil Cans, Flip Lighters)

Oil powers turrets and flamers, making it an underappreciated but valuable resource. Bulk oil often sells fast to other players.

11. Copper (Fuses, Light Bulbs)

Used in wiring and crafting energy weapons, copper components are consistently in demand.

12. Silver (Pre-War Money, Silver Lockets)

While rarer than some materials, silver fetches high prices in vending and trading, especially when used in decorative C.A.M.P. building.

13. Springs (Desk Fans, Clipboards)

Anything that breaks down into springs is a keeper. Weapon crafters and repair addicts will buy these off you quickly.

14. Gears (Typewriters, Desk Fans)

Used across many crafting recipes, gears remain valuable both to builders and PvPers maintaining turrets.

15. Gold (Gold Plated Flip Lighters, Toothpaste Tubes)

Rare and mostly used in endgame crafting, gold isn’t common—but when you find it, you should definitely hold and sell for caps.

16. Glass (Beer Bottles, Light Bulbs)

It may not seem valuable, but glass is in demand for players who love lighting up their camps. Bulk it and you’ll see.

17. Nuclear Material (Alarm Clocks, Radium Rifles)

These fetch serious caps, especially with players crafting high-tier energy gear. Even vendors will offer a good price.

Tips for Selling Junk Efficiently:

• Bulk Before Selling: Always craft junk into bulk versions for higher value.

• Player Vendors vs. NPC Vendors: Player vendors typically offer better margins than traditional vendors, especially if your pricing is smart.

• C.A.M.P. Placement Matters: Set up your vending machine near events or public workbenches to attract more buyers.

Caps can stack up fast if you manage your junk strategically. And when you need a quick injection of materials or gear to round out your haul, the Best Place to buy Fallout 76 Items or the Best Place to buy Fallout 76 Caps is often a trusted player-to-player marketplace like U4GM. With smart trading and a little scavenging savvy, you can keep your stash full and your wallet even fuller.