When exposed to ambient solar radiation (consistent sunlight) the plastic produces significant amounts of two greenhouse gases - methane and ethylene. Due to its low density properties (high branching) it breaks down more easily over time compared to other plastics, leading to higher surface areas. Furthermore, production of these trace gases from virgin plastics increase with surface area/time, thus LDPE emits greenhouse gases at a more unsustainable rate compared to other plastics. At the end of a 212-day incubation, emissions have been recorded at 5.8 nmol g-1 d-1 of methane, 14.5 nmol g-1 d-1 of ethylene, 3.9 nmol g-1 d-1 of ethane and 9.7 nmol g-1 d-1 of propylene. When incubated in air LDPE emits methane and ethylene at rates ~2 times and ~76 times, respectively, more than in water.