Commercial formulations of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were subjected to an outdoor soil burial test for two years to investigate the environmental degradation under natural conditions. Samples periodically retrieved from soil were examined for changes in physical character, tensile properties, dielectric behaviour, X-ray diffraction pattern and FTIR spectra. Irrespective of thickness and colour, load-extension curves of all samples reflect complete or partial destruction of plastic and elastic regions after 15 to 17 months of soil exposure. IR spectra after 17 months revealed major...