A company that manufactures plastic products from recyclable plastic is, surprisingly, unconcerned that economic conditions may worsen, despite analysts' belief that consumers would then consider ecofriendly plastic products an expensive luxury. But the company reasons that it will be able to lower its prices because, in a weakened economy, other ecofriendly plastic manufacturers are likely to fail. Demand among manufacturers for recyclable plastics as raw materials would then plummet, creating an oversupply of such materials, making them less expensive for the manufacturer to purchase and thus lowering the company's costs.


Which of the following, if true, most weakens the company's reasoning?


A. Smaller ecofriendly plastic manufacturers are more likely to fail in a weakened economy than larger ecofriendly manufacturers are.

B. Some retailers whose sales include various companies' ecofriendly plastic products have struggled in recent years despite the overall good economy.

C. Consumers would likely soon learn of the oversupply of recyclable plastics and cease recycling them, significantly raising manufacturers' raw-material costs.

D. Retailers, including retailers that cater to consumers seeking certain types of ecofriendly products, may lose some business if economic conditions worsen.

E. The plastics used by the company in its products were, after a recent investigation by a regulatory body, declared to be safe for consumers.




The stimulus says-


Analysts believe that consumers would consider ecofriendly plastic products an expensive luxury in a bad economy. 

A company that manufactures plastic products from recyclable plastic is not concerned or worried about this. 

The reason stated- The company believes that it will be able to lower its prices

Why?

Because- in a weakened economy, other ecofriendly plastic manufacturers are likely to fail.


> Demand among manufacturers for recyclable plastic as raw materials  drops > oversupply > making them less expensive for the manufacturer to purchase> thus lowering the company's costs.




The highlighted parts talk about the company’s reasoning that we need to weaken. 


A- Smaller ecofriendly plastic manufacturers are more likely to fail in a weakened economy than larger ecofriendly manufacturers are.


The conclusion is not about the comparison that who is more likely to fall. Eliminate.



B. Some retailers whose sales include various companies' ecofriendly plastic products have struggled in recent years despite the overall good economy.


This does not impact the conclusion. Eliminate


C. Consumers would likely soon learn of the oversupply of recyclable plastics and cease recycling them, significantly raising manufacturers' raw-material costs.


This has a direct impact on the conclusion.

This breaks the reasoning that 

> making them less expensive for the manufacturer to purchase> thus lowering the company's costs.


This weakens the company's reasoning. Hence correct


D. Retailers, including retailers that cater to consumers seeking certain types of ecofriendly products, may lose some business if economic conditions worsen.


Irrelevant. Eliminate



E. The plastics used by the company in its products were, after a recent investigation by a regulatory body, declared to be safe for consumers.


Irrelevant. Eliminate