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The degradation of plastic waste can be facilitated by a process in which polymers react with nitrogen oxides and dioxygen under relatively mild conditions. Polystyrene generates a mixture of benzoic and nitrobenzoic acids. Both high- and low-density polyethylene produce mixtures of short-chain α,ω-diacids (including adipic acid) in good yields. A mixture of acids is also formed from nylon-6,6. Other polymers that are degraded to oligomeric materials include polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyacrylic acid.