The waxworms metabolize polyethylene plastic films into ethylene glycol, a compound which biodegrades rapidly. Polyethylene or polythene film biodegrades naturally, albeit over a long period of time. Over time, a compost berm simply biodegrades and returns to the earth. The compound biodegrades with halflife of less than 1 day in soil. This compound was discontinued because the cation biodegrades too slowly. It biodegrades into materials that help plant growth. Commercially used since 1998, iminodisuccinic acid (IDS) biodegrades by about 80% after only 7 days. It biodegrades via formation of 1-naphthol-3,4-oxide, which converts to 1,4-naphthoquinone.