Content writer for Sparked Host

In the harsh, blocky world of Navezgane, survival hinges on your ability to secure essential resources. While metal and wood are straightforward, Scrap Polymer is a crucial, yet often overlooked, material that separates well-equipped survivors from those struggling with low-tier gear.

Scrap Polymer is the foundation for virtually all plastic-based crafting, giving it a high-priority status, especially as you progress past the early game. If you’re ready to upgrade your armor, tools, and storage, mastering the acquisition of this resource is mandatory.

While you can mine stone and iron easily, Scrap Polymer is a manufactured material that demands targeted looting. It's the essential ingredient for making plastic, which in turn is critical for Polymer Handles (for advanced tools) and high-tier Heavy Armor.

Scrap Polymers are a bit uncommon to find lying around, but they certainly aren’t a rare resource. While not technically renewable, there are plenty of ways to gather up lots of Scrap Polymers with relatively little effort.

What Is Scrap Polymer Used For In 7 Days To Die?

In 7 Days to Die, scrap polymer is an essential intermediate crafting resource used for making ammunition, guns, weapon mods, and robotics. It is not used for upgrading structures but is required for many high-quality ranged weapons, modifications, and some electrical components like the coil battery.

Method 1: Scavenging For Scrap Polymer

Scrap Polymers can be found among other materials in trash piles, utility carts, shelves, and supply crates. The best locations to scavenge for polymers are abandoned storefronts and janitorial closets. Stores often have lots of shelves containing at least a few chunks of polymer, and janitorial closets usually contain one or more utility carts.

Method 2: Salvaging Scrap Polymer

When trying to farm Scrap Polymers, it’s usually quicker to salvage containers and items for them**.** Scrap Polymers can be obtained by chopping up cardboard boxes, smashing open coolers, and disassembling tilt and janitorial carts. Anything made from plastic or cardboard will likely yield polymers if broken or salvaged. You can even sometimes get this resource by destroying trash on the ground.

What Scrap Polymers Are Used For In Crafting

Polymers cannot be used for upgrading structures; however, they are regularly used in many recipes for ammunition, equipment, guns, and even robotics.

Ammunition & Explosives

Ammunition requires three primary components, which correspond to three different crafting skills:

  • Powder: Crafted from Coal and Potassium Nitrate in the Chemistry Station.

  • Projectile: Crafted from Lead in the Forge.

  • Casing: Crafted from Brass in the Forge.

    | Ammo Type | Base Projectile | Casing Material | Key Uses | |--------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9mm Rounds | Lead | Brass | Standard pistol rounds (Desert Vulture, Pistol). Cheap to mass-produce. | | 7.62mm Rounds | Lead | Brass | Rifle rounds (AK-47, M60, Sniper Rifle). High damage, high brass cost. | | Shotgun Shells | Lead | Brass | Close-quarters combat (Pump Shotgun, Auto Shotgun). Requires Buckshot (Lead). | | Arrows/Bolts | Wood/Stone/Iron | None | Basic projectiles. Explosive and steel variants require Forged Steel and Gunpowder. |

Explosives are vital for taking on the Horde Night and destroying large sections of a POI (Point of Interest) quickly. Their base component is always Gunpowder.

Explosive Crafting Location Base Components Utility
Dynamite Workbench Paper, Gunpowder, Duct Tape High damage, large blast radius. Excellent for mining or breaching reinforced walls.
Explosive Arrows/Bolts Workbench Standard Arrow, Gunpowder, Feathers Versatile for ranged demolition and clearing tough packs of zombies from a distance.
Timed Charge (C4) Workbench / Advanced Gunpowder, Forged Steel, Electrical Parts The ultimate demolition tool. Required to destroy the toughest blocks (like Reinforced Concrete or Bedrock) and used heavily in PVP/base raiding.

Vehicle Parts

Certain vehicle components, such as car batteries and wheels, will need a handful of Scrap Polymers to craft. If you don’t want to spend forever trying to track down each piece of the vehicle you’re trying to assemble, you’ll need some polymers to fill in the gaps.

Mods & Attachments

Several weapon and equipment mods require Scrap Polymers to be used in their construction. These mods allow you to customize and boost the effectiveness of your weapons, armor, and tools. The effects imparted by these mods can be anything from improving armor to adding a wearable flashlight to even changing a gun from semi to fully automatic.

Conclusion

Scrap Polymer may seem like a minor resource, but as we've detailed, it is the hinge that opens the doors to the late-game in 7 Days to Die.

Do not look for it deep underground; the true wealth is on the surface. By prioritizing the salvaging of plastic chairs, car radiators, and trash cans with your Wrench, you are directly investing in your future. Every unit of Polymer you collect translates into more durable Polymer Handles, tougher Heavy Armor, and a safer base.

Stop relying on fragile tools and weak defenses. The path to the ultimate fortress is paved with recycled plastic. Keep your Polymer supply high, and you will be ready to face any horde Navezgane throws at you.