Plastic that is 100% degradable. How revolutionary.
If you have a plastic bag in your hand, and it says that it's 100% degradable, congratulations on dealing with a company or institution that believes environmental sustainability can begin with 1 plastic bag.
If you're wondering how a plastic bag can degrade over time, it happens simply like this; when the plastic finds itself in the presence of soil, moisture and oxygen it will then convert to carbon dioxide and biomass. Like a fallen leaf, it will simply disappear.
From a more technical point of view...
Plastics made from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) can be manipulated to degrade and, in most cases biodegrade with the addition of chemical additives. This process can occur within a few months to a few years as compared to decades or longer for the same products made without the benefit of the technology.
To learn more about these processes, check out these sites: