Poly(L-lactide) (PLA) was degraded by more than 95 mg from 100 mg PLA film by an actinomycete, Saccharothrix waywayandensis, growing in 100 ml liquid culture containing 0.1% (w/v) gelatin. In addition to degrading PLA, this strain assimilated the major degradation product of PLA, L-lactic acid.