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 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.