The invention relates to an apparatus and method for conditioning materials for processing such as materials used in a recycling process. The invention includes a conditioning section including a drum associated with teeth. The end of the drum is rounded to prevent material from becoming lodged between the end of the drum and the conditioner section housing. A support bar is added to provide structural support to the teeth and to provide a tooth at the end of the support bar point toward the housing wall to further prevent materials from becoming lodged between the end of the drum and the conditioner section housing. The rotation teeth pass between stationary fingers. The finger may further include finger teeth. The length of the fingers, the distance between the finger and the drum, and the finger teeth configuration may be remotely selected to provide for conditioned materials of different sizes.