I remember that quite a few years ago there was a wider range of special items that could be turned in to the Recycle Beast along with the restockables. I don't remember why it was gotten rid of in the first place but I'd like to see it back, instead of the same small pool of Quentin prizes and a few others.

I think you are talking about years ago, before quest grantors NPC Quentin and NPC Cinthia started asking for these items? Nowadays most of these items have more value than you'd want to spend to Recycle something, because they are asked for for these quests. The ones that don't rise in price extrememly quickly when asked for and the price doesn't go down again.

It was a deliberate Suggestion on the part of users that the Recycle Beast stop asking for these items because it made it impossible to recycle on some days. It is not worth undoing this IMO.

Ah, well thanks for reminding me why :)