Deconstruction is the process of breaking down or destroying an item in your inventory. For freeing up inventory space, it’s an excellent alternative to selling your unused weapons and armor, especially if you’re not in need of credits (and if you’re diligently pillaging salvage containers, you mostly aren’t).
To deconstruct an item, select it in the inventory menu and press the designated Deconstruct button displayed at the bottom of the HUD. A dialogue confirmation box appears with a list of materials recovered if you choose to complete the process. All weapons and armor grant materials when deconstructed. Other items are simply destroyed (equivalent to throwing them away or dropping them).