Question

practice it!
a city mayor introduced a policy banning single - use plastics, such as straws, plastic forks and water bottles, from all restaurants.
the mayor created a task force to research and study the issue. they learned that these items are used once and then thrown away, they do not break down in landfills, and cannot be recycled.
these materials take up 30% of the local landfill.
the groups study showed that reducing single - use plastics would help reduce pollution, slow the growth of the landfill, and help local businesses who manufacture alternative products.
select the statement(s) that accurately explain why the mayor used science to help make this policy.
the data pointed to the community being negatively affected after the ban.
the data on single use plastics showed that there is a negative impact on the community.
the scientific evidence did not show a benefit to the community. the mayor decided to make the policy anyway.
the scientific evidence showed that banning the plastics would benefit the local community.
the scientific data used to make the policy can be trusted.

Explanation:

• The first option is incorrect because the data was used to show the negative impact of single - use plastics before the ban, not after.
• The second option is correct as the data on single - use plastics (e.g., they don't break down, take up landfill space) shows a negative impact on the community.
• The third option is incorrect since the scientific evidence (reduction of pollution, slow landfill growth, help local businesses) shows a benefit.
• The fourth option is correct as the scientific evidence (from the task - force study) shows that banning plastics would benefit the local community (e.g., less pollution, slower landfill growth).
• The fifth option is correct. The task - force did research and study, which implies that the scientific data used to make the policy (e.g., the 30% landfill data) can be trusted.

Answer:

B. The data on single use plastics showed that there is a negative impact on the community.
D. The scientific evidence showed that banning the plastics would benefit the local community.
E. The scientific data used to make the policy can be trusted.