Provided herein are compositions and methods for degrading polymer systems. These compositions and methods can be used to effectively degrade a range of polymers commonly used in oil and gas operations, including polymers with carbon-carbon backbones such as polyacrylamides. Further, these compositions and methods can simultaneously degrade other organic molecules and pollutants associated with oil and gas operations. The compositions and methods described herein employ reactants that are more environmentally-friendly than conventional methods and components used in, for example, polymer breaking processes.