Can Someone help.

[Pinchy13 0]

I have a private server i play Dayz on with my friends, Originally was done to learn the core mechanics of the game but we just continued to play on it. 
 

We collect items to leave in a set location to just keep adding to - Weapons, med kits, ammo, food, etc.

 

But when we log back on its all disappeared.
 

is there a way to stop this happening? Ideally only let items actually used respawn to different locations and leave everything else where it is dropped? 

[EzyStriderPS4 191]

If not kept in a container, items have varying despawn times when dropped on the ground. Items that are kept in a container (barrel, hard case, buried dry bag, or crate) will have a lifetime of 45 days. To reset the timer, just interact with the object. This could be as simple as unbury then bury the item, open and close the lid to a barrel, or just by adding or removing an item in storage.