Abstract: A system and method of recommending a preferred payment method for individual transactions may include a software program. A user may set up an account and input personal information, payment information and store information for a potential purchase. A server database may store the inputted information. The user may select a store choice and receive an estimate of a purchase amount. The user may receive recommended payment method based at least on the purchase amount, the payment information, user preferences and the store information.

Abstract: A container with a door forms an operating chamber. A crushing zone within the chamber is defined below by a support and above by a vertically reciprocable ram. A driving assembly raises and lowers the ram to compact a plastic bottle in the crushing zone. A heating element softens the plastic bottle. A programmer is operatively coupled to a plurality of controls for receiving operating instructions and to the heating element and the driving assembly to thereby cause an appropriate cycle of operation for crushing and compacting the plastic bottle.