The Classification, Preparation, and Utility of Degradable Polymers

Abstract The current crisis in municipal solid waste disposal has created much public interest in the subject of degradable polymers and has led to some misconceptions as to how great a role these materials could play in solving the problem. Some people see these materials as the ideal solution whereby all plastics would magically disappear the instant their useful lives were over, and the entire waste disposal problem would be solved [l]. Politicians faced with the need to act on the issue find it easier to legislate degradability requirements than to set up the required infrastructure to deal with waste in a more productive way [l, 2]. Corn producers and others who see these laws creating new and larger markets for their products eagerly support these activities [l-4]. Thus there has been a flurry of activity in this area, with legislation forcing degradability in various products [5,6] and manufacturers hurrying to gain their share of these newly-formed markets.