What compounds are created as plastic decomposes?

Question

When plastic breaks down, and decomposes, what are the residual compounds left in the environment?

Answer 1

Given a long enough time to decompose completely, they would end up as carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen oxides, chlorides, and other oxidation products, depending on the precise nature of the starting polymer.

There are thousands of different plastics, so a more precise answer would require an identification of exactly which plastic you are referring to.

Answer 2

Plastic does not decompose. Burning of plastic gives water and carbon dioxide

Answer 3

It depends on the plastic material. All plastics are not the same.  

Answer 4

Plastics are organic compounds and their breakdown products would be CO2 and H2O. Some plastics are coloured with metal based pigments which would leave a small residue.