Officials in Los Angeles, the nation’s second largest city by population, are considering outlawing single-use plastic water bottles – a move that would present potential challenges and opportunities for the promotional products industry.

This week, the Los Angeles City Council’s Energy, Climate Change and Environmental Justice Committee voted unanimously to send the proposed ban to the full council for consideration.

The impetus behind the potential prohibition is environmental. While the water bottles are recyclable, many go unrecycled, leading to litter, ocean pollution and furthering a culture of disposability, proponents say. “Buying bottled water is not the right way for consumers to ensure their financial well-being,” said City Councilman Paul Krekorian.

It’s unknown when City Council might bring the proposal to a vote. Should the ban be approved, there could be potential for promo distributors to sell more logoed, reusable drinkware in the city of nearly 4 million people.

In particular, businesses and organizations that want to align themselves with the eco-friendly ethos behind the ban could be especially interested. The reusable drinkware potential could even be augmented by Los Angeles’ plan to install or refurbish 200 public drinking stations.

While that’s all part of the possible upside for promo, the likely downside would be that sales of logoed disposable plastic water bottles in one of the biggest urban markets in America would essentially be ended. Consider: Have a client with a trade show or conference in L.A.? Then branded plastic water bottles would be off the menu.

San Francisco International Airport recently banned single-use plastic water bottles, and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is considering doing the same. It’s all part of a growing movement to encourage sustainability and protect wildlife and the environment by outlawing disposable items like single-use plastic bags, straws and water bottles, as well polystyrene containers.

Vermont, New York, Maine and California are the states to have enacted state-wide bans on plastic bags. Hawaii has a de facto ban on the bags. Areas that have plastic bag restrictions can potentially be more fertile ground for sales of branded reusable alternatives, such as totes and drawstring backpacks.