A water-sensitive hot melt adhesive composition based on sulfonated branched copolyester polymers for use with articles such as paper products, disposable nonwoven products, tapes, labels and packaging materials. The adhesive composition includes about 10% to about 90%, by weight, of a sulfonated polyester copolymer or a blend of one or more sulfonated polyester polymers; about 0% to about 80%, by weight, of a tackifying resin; about 0% to about 40%, by weight, of a compatible plasticizer; about 5% to about 50% by weight of a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight greater than 2000 and a melting point greater than 50° C; and about 0% to about 3% by weight of one or more antioxidant. The adhesive maintains the article in an assembled condition by providing adequate adhesive bond strength during normal use, but dissolves in the presence of water thereby permitting the article to be recycled or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.