an automated system for producing a slug having a repeatable shape from a plastic bottle , the automated system comprising : a housing having an elongated shape , an axis in a direction of elongation , and an opening configured to receive the bottle in a generally coaxially orientation with the housing ; a compacting subsystem adapted to compact the bottle substantially in a first direction within the housing ; and a slug processing subsystem adapted to form a slug having an essentially predefined form from the compacted bottle , the slug processing subsystem adapted to form the slug by application of force in at least a second direction , substantially normal to the first direction ; wherein the slug processing subsystem is adapted to form a slug from a single compacted bottle ; wherein the slug processing subsystem is configured to form a slug having a flattened geometric shape ; wherein the flattened geometric shape is a polygon having a characteristic dimension less than 90 millimeters .