The work aims to understand the use characteristics of starch-based plastic shopping bag through the characterization on the physical and chemical properties of starch-based plastic shopping bag, so as to provide some theoretical basis for improving the properties of starch-based plastic shopping bag. The starch content and heat resistance of starch-based plastic shopping bag were analyzed by means of thermogravimetric analysis and thermomechanical analysis, and the mechanical properties of starch-based plastic shopping bag were analyzed by electronic universal material testing machine. Then, the mildew degree and hygienic performance of starch-based plastic shopping bag were analyzed by the methods of mold culture and total migration behavior. The starch contents of samples A, B, and C were 15.72%, 23.97%, and 30.36%, respectively, and the heat resistance was lower than that of traditional PE plastic bags. The tensile strength of starch-based plastic shopping bag decreased with the increase of starch content, but the elongation at break and the total migration amount increased with the increase of starch content, which were all lower than the limit requirements after treatment with chloroform. Therefore, starch-based plastic shopping bag was not suitable for acid and low-ethanol food. Through in-depth research on starch-based plastic shopping bag, it is found that starch-based plastic shopping bag has defects in mechanical properties, total migration amount, and degree of mildew. It is hoped that researchers can start from these directions to improve the physical and chemical properties of starch-based plastic shopping bag.