A system and method for refurbishing or recycling a layered article such as a golf ball is disclosed that includes removing a cover from the article. The system can include a golf ball guide, a golf ball scorer-driver that can score the outer shell of the golf ball while simultaneously advancing it along the golf ball guide, a cover peeler having an orifice with an inner diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the golf ball cover, and a press that can drive the golf ball core through the cover peeler orifice. The method includes inducing at least one weakened region in the outer shell of the golf ball, rupturing the weakened region to create at least one opening in the golf ball outer shell, and forcing a core portion of the golf ball through the opening in the golf ball outer shell.