Molecular degradation triggers are events that help to promote degradation and break down of chemicals and molecules. These could include molecule modification, UV light triggers, or any number of different triggering events. Today there are many stable compounds that persist in the environment for lengthy periods of time. Triggers could help to mitigate the presence of these harmful, persistent molecules and could be key in sustainability efforts. Molecular degradation triggers can help to form benign by-products following the end of life of chemicals and products.