nitride to be most satisfactory typically the amount of nucleating agent is in the range 0 3 3 phr for example 0 5 2 phr and conveniently about 1 phr the polymer composition can contain various other additives used in the polymer processing art to aid handling and processing for example molding aids such as stearate salts and esters in addition additives to improve the cosmetic appearance of the applicator can be included in the composition for example pigments and titanium dioxide such additives can be present in an amount sufficient to be effective typically about 1 phr for pigments in another aspect the poly 3 hydroxybutyric acid polymer composition can further contain a biodegradable filler the filler has not significantly affect the characteristics of the polymer but enables the amount of poly 3 hydroxybutyric acid to be lowered thus resulting in economic savings suitable fillers include starch and hydroxyalkyl cellulose which do not significantly affect molding properties even when present in proportions of up to about 40 phr preferably any such filter is starch which is relatively inexpensive in addition the use of starch is advantageous as we have found that the rate of biodegradability of polymer composition is increased with increasing proportions of starch ______________________________________ phr______________________________________poly 3 hydroxybutyric acid poly 3 hydroxy valeric acid copolymer mol wt about750 000 having 8 3 hydroxyvalericacid unitssanticiser.