Renewable resource

A renewable resource (as opposed to a non-renewable resource, or finite resource) is a resource that can be obtained in unlimited quantities in Survival without exploiting glitches or using 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 or Skyblock 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.

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 (only 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.

The renewable method to obtain a resource is not necessarily the easiest, fastest or safest, and may in some cases be highly impractical.

Resources in the list are split into three categories: "base", "compound", and "hybrid" renewables.

To get an unlimited supply of base renewables, the player does not need an unlimited supply of anything else prior. For example, blaze rods can be obtained in an arbitrary number from a single Nether fortress, as blazes spawn there naturally (even if monster spawners are destroyed).

Methods of acquiring base renewables include:

• Drops from mobs that either spawn naturally, or can be spawned without consuming any resources (e.g. breezes, shulkers);
• Gifts from cats;
• Fishing;
• Growing things on various types of soil-like blocks (without the use of bone meal);
• Blocks forming when liquids meet with each other or another block;
• Rewards from normal trial spawners.

Few other special cases exist as well.

To get an unlimited supply of compound renewables, the player does need an unlimited supply of another resource. For example, bells can be obtained in an arbitrary number through trading, but a renewable supply of emeralds is needed first.

Methods of acquiring compound renewables include:

• Drops from mobs that require consuming a resource to spawn (e.g. evokers, withers);
• Trading with wandering traders and villagers;
• Gifts from villagers when the player has Hero of the Village effect;‌^{[Java Edition only]}
• Growing things with bone meal;
• Bartering with piglins;
• Rewards from ominous trial spawners;
• Crafting and smelting.

Few other special cases exist as well.

From this category, a sub-category was created, listing the resources that can be obtained only from crafting and smelting (some of the craftable blocks can be also created in a stonecutter). This includes most slabs, stairs, walls, "chiseled" and "polished" variants of blocks, and so on. For a craftable resource to be renewable, all of its ingredients must be renewable.

Hybrid renewables can be obtained in at least one of both types of methods. For example, arrows can be obtained as base renewables from killing skeletons, or as compound renewables from crafting.