a novel class of instantly degradable synthetic polymeric plastics having the characteristics and properties of conventional forms of plastics is developed by providing the disulfide and sulfenyl derivatives of the plastic compounds with latent nucleophilic properties . these novel plastic products are made from a variety of compositions of polymers and their compatible nontoxic modifiers . the resulting novel instant degradable plastic products retain latent solubility properties that are triggered upon mild chemical reaction , thus enabling cost effective and facile recycling of plastic refuge .