Question

Waste management companies, which collect waste for disposal in landfills and incineration plants, report that disposable plastics make up an ever- increasing percentage of the waste they handle. It is clear that attempts to decrease the amount of plastic that people throw away in the garbage are failing. Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument? (A) Because plastics create harmful pollutants when burned, an increasing percentage of the plastics handled by waste management companies are being disposed of in landfills. (B) Although many plastics are recyclable, most of the plastics disposed of by waste management companies are not. (C) People are more likely to save and reuse plastic containers than containers made of heavier materials like glass or metal. (D) An increasing proportion of the paper, glass, and metal cans that waste management companies used to handle is now being recycled. (E) While the percentage of products using plastic packaging is increasing, the total amount of plastic being manufactured has remained unchanged.

Short answer

Choice D potentially weakens the argument by offering an alternative explanation for increased plastic percentages.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the conclusion of the argument

The conclusion of the argument claims that efforts to reduce the amount of disposable plastic in garbage are failing. This is based on the observation that disposable plastics form an increasing percentage of waste handled by waste management companies.

Analyze each choice to find its effect

We'll consider how each choice impacts the conclusion. - **Choice A**: This talks about disposal methods for plastics, not the total amount or percentage of plastics, so it does not affect the conclusion. - **Choice B**: While it points to a lack of recyclability, it supports the idea that plastics are not being reduced in garbage, aligning with the argument. - **Choice C**: This suggests people reuse plastic containers more than other materials, but doesn't provide data on overall waste trends, thus not weakening the argument. - **Choice D**: This mentions increased recycling of other materials, which means the percentage of plastics might increase simply because other materials are decreasing, not because more plastics are being disposed of. This has the potential to weaken the argument. - **Choice E**: Indicates static production of plastics despite increased packaging, leading to no net increase; however, it does not directly contravene the argument's claim about disposal rates.

Select the option that most weakens the argument

**Choice D** is the most effective at weakening the argument. It provides an alternative explanation that the increasing percentage of plastics in waste is due to a decrease in the amount of other materials like paper, glass, and metal being handled by waste management companies because these are being recycled more. Thus, plastics might just account for a larger percentage without an actual increase in waste plastics.

Key concepts

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate an argument or problem. It is essential in situations where you need to understand complex issues, like the disposal of waste materials. Critical thinking helps in assessing the validity of conclusions drawn from given premises. For instance, when analyzing the effectiveness of reducing plastic waste, critical thinking allows you to distinguish between raw data and manipulated numbers that might suggest misleading trends.
Applying critical thinking requires questioning evidence, examining assumptions, discerning hidden values, and evaluating the logic behind claims. It's not just about finding faults but also about understanding the depth of the problem and recognizing where improvements can be made.

Argument Analysis

Argument analysis is a core skill in logical reasoning, especially useful for LSAT logical reasoning sections. In waste management contexts, it involves breaking down arguments to assess their structure and validity. The first step is identifying the argument's conclusion and the evidence supporting it.
Understanding this process helps you evaluate whether the premises actually support the conclusion. For example, the statement that reducing plastic waste efforts are failing must be analyzed with context. When the argument is examined closely, as shown in Step 2 of the solution, you can see why the choice that highlights increased recycling of other materials (Choice D) weakens the argument. Thus, argument analysis not only aids in understanding but also in identifying what could be improved or further investigated.

Logical Reasoning Skills

Logical reasoning skills are vital in evaluating and constructing arguments. These skills ensure that you can follow a line of reasoning and see where potential flaws could lie.
The solution to the given problem illustrates logical reasoning by systematically considering various scenarios that could weaken or support the main argument—that reducing plastic waste efforts are not effective. Logical reasoning involves deducing conclusions from premises, recognizing contradictions, and considering alternative explanations. By developing these skills, one becomes adept at understanding complex arguments and predicting implications and consequences, a useful skill in both academic and real-world scenarios.

Waste Management

Waste management is an essential part of environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. It involves the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste materials in ways that minimize their environmental impact.
In the exercise provided, waste management companies report increasing percentages of plastic waste—highlighting both a challenge and an opportunity in sustainability. Understanding waste management also means recognizing how statistics can sometimes be misinterpreted or misrepresented. When analyzing waste trends, it's crucial to consider various factors, such as changes in recycling habits, population growth, or shifts in material usage, which may affect observed trends in waste composition.
Effective waste management strategies focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling materials to decrease the amount going to landfills and incineration. By improving these strategies, society can better manage waste and address the growing concerns related to plastic pollution.