Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing waste accumulation by using an environmentally degradable disposable material. The disposable material, which includes a hydroxycarboxylic acid-containing polymer, degrades hydrolytically during operative and disposal stages in a controlled manner such that the disposal degradation rate of the material is accelerated relative to the operative degradation rate of the material.

Abstract: Disclosed are degradable materials including molded products, laminates, foams, nonwoven materials, adhesives, coatings and films, and particularly packaging films. The materials are made using polydioxaneone polymers comprising at least two different dioxaneone-based repeating units. Preferred polymers are polydioxanediones. First repeating units have less carbon atoms in constituent groups extending from the polymer backbone than second repeating units. Physical characteristics and degradation of the materials can be varied by varying the choice and/or relative proportions of first and second repeating units in the poldioxaneone polymers. Methods for preparing polydioxaneone polymers that can be used in the manufacture of the materials are also discussed, as are suitable monomers and methods for preparing such monomers.

Abstract: Disclosed are degradable materials which include a nontoxic hydrolytically degradable polymer and nontoxic modifier, wherein the modifier is compatible with the polymer and the modifier is nonvolatile and nonfugitive. Also disclosed are processes for forming the various degradable materials, which include films, molded products, laminates, foams, powders, nonwovens, adhesives and coatings. The disclosed materials and processes are particularly useful for the production of commercial and consumer products in high volumes which are suitable for recycling after use or which are discarded into the environment in large volumes.

Abstract: Disclosed are products made of degradable materials which include a hydrolytically degradable polymer. The degradable materials can be internally or externally modified. The internally modified polymer composition has polymers modified by the use of comonomers having a relatively high molecular weight. The externally modified polymer composition includes a modifier, wherein the modifier is compatible with the polymer and the modifier is nontoxic, nonvolatile and nonfugitive. The various degradable materials include films, fibers, extruded and molded products, laminates, foams, powders, nonwovens, adhesives and coatings. The disclosed materials are particularly useful for the production of a variety of products in high volumes which are suitable for recycling after use or which are discarded into the environment in large volumes.

Abstract: The biodegradable polymer comprises polymerized lactic acid units of the structure: ##STR1## where n is an integer between 450 and 10,000 and the alpha carbon is a mixture of L- and D-configurations with a preponderance of either D- or L-units, wherein the polymer is suitable for replacement of polystyrene; the biodegradable composition also comprises blends of a physical mixture of polymerized lactic acid units of the formula I, where n is an integer between 450 and 10,000 and the alpha carbon is a mixture of L- and D-configurations with a preponderance of either D- or L-units, and a homopolymer of poly(D-lactic acid) or poly(L-lactic acid), and plasticizers that provide unique properties when intimately dispersed.

Abstract: The device comprises a tank filled with electrolyte, flat electrodes which are stacked horizontally so as to rest upon one another under the action of gravity and at least a certain number of which are consumable. Two successive electrodes are separated by spacer elements having the same thickness and formed of material which is inert to electrolysis. The contact surfaces between the spacer elements and the electrodes therefore permit substantially uniform erosion of the consumable electrodes over their entire surface and the spacing between two consecutive electrodes thus remains constant.