The invention provides novel blends of starch with polyesters, and shaped articles of such blends, including fibers, foams and films, nonwovens from the fibers and disposable products such as diapers. The products are degradable under the conditions typically existing in waste composting processes, have low ingredient costs and yet provide strength and toughness properties adequate for end uses such as in disposable diapers. The polyesters are based upon polyethylene terephthalate copolymerized with other ingredients, including non-aromatic diacids, such as adipic and glutaric acids, polyethylene ether groups, such as diethylene glycol or higher polyalkylene glycols, and hydroxy acids.