hot melt adhesive compositions are prepared from 20 to 98 % by weight of a polylactide homo - or copolymer containing at least 20 molar percent of the lactide component ; 2 to 80 % by weight of a polar tackifier having a ring and ball softening point greater than about 60 ° c . ; 0 to 50 % by weight of a plasticizer ; 0 to 30 % by weight of a wax diluent ; 0 - 3 % by weight of a stabilizer ; and 0 - 20 % of starch . by utilizing a naturally occurring , thermoplastic , biodegradable copolymer as the base polymer , these adhesives advance the state of the art of hot melt adhesives by alleviating the dependence on petroleum based materials and by allowing for the development of hot melt adhesives which either degrade naturally after coming in contact with the soil or which can be composted .