weight of the remaining polyethylene decreases thus making the partially degraded molecule more attractive to additional microorganisms in time the microorganisms convert the hydrogen and carbon from the polyethylene molecule into water and carbon dioxide along with the biomass of the microorganisms the material of the present invention degrades in less than 120 days and becomes at least 60 mineralized within two years following disposal degradation though slows to less than 18 months in the anaerobic environment of a landfill the components of the present invention and its resulting residues meet fda requirements and epa heavy metal limitations the residues of the present invention do not accumulate to harmful levels in the soil water table or the atmosphere the present invention seeks to mitigate the harmful effects of inert plastics by adjusting the plastic formulation at time of manufacture the present invention incorporates ingredients and processes that render the plastic suitable for conventional uses and for degrading readily following use the present invention degrades in a short time while conventional plastics degrade over the centuries the degradation of the present invention returns carbon atoms from the polyolefins to lesser molecules using microbes in a controlled manner at a known rate the present invention reduces the problem of plastics accumulating as litter and as waste in a landfill as the plastics degrade to smaller less harmful molecules turning to fig1 the biodegradable badge begins.