Flying into Atlanta? Better bring a tote.

Amir Farokhi, a city councilman, has proposed legislation that would outlaw single-use plastic products like bags, straws and Styrofoam at city-owned buildings, which include Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – the busiest airport in the world.

“City buildings, particularly at the airport through its retailers and restaurants, are major consumers of these harmful products,” Farokhi said. “We can make a substantial impact by shifting to paper and reusables, and a substantial statement as a city by taking up this cause.”

NEWS: Council member @AmirForATL introduced legislation Monday that would ban certain single-use plastics that are harmful to the environment in City of Atlanta owned buildings. Read the release: https://t.co/NqvnWJVaXz pic.twitter.com/2rzjJm2uFf

— Atlanta City Council (@atlcouncil) August 5, 2019

While discussion on the proposal is only just getting started, such a ban would present promotional products distributors with potential opportunities to sell logoed alternatives to the prohibited plastics, including tote bags, drawstring backpacks, and reusable straws.

Farokhi believes prohibiting the single-use items will help alleviate some of the plastic pollution locally. To further that cause, Farokhi also introduced a companion resolution that asks Atlanta to work with private retailers to replicate the hoped-for plastics ban at venues like grocery stores and stadiums. Still, he added that “before we can ask private companies to change their behaviors, we need to behave accordingly. The time to act on sustainability was yesterday.”

Globally, there’s a growing movement underway to restrict or outlaw single-use plastic products, including bags and straws. Proponents say the throwaway plastics generate litter, degrade the environment and endanger animals, particularly aquatic life.

San Francisco International Airport recently became the first airport to ban plastic water bottles. This year alone, Maine, Vermont, New York and Delaware have adopted laws that place prohibitions on single-use plastic bags. In June, Canada announced plans to prohibit single-use plastics countrywide by 2021.

The world produces more than 300 million tons of plastic each year, according to Statista, and scientists estimate that up to 91% of plastic is never recycled. Business Insider reports that consumers across the planet use approximately 500 billion single-use plastic bags annually. In 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban plastic bags. Kenya reportedly has the strictest plastic bag ban rules, with punishment for violations ranging from four years of jail time to fines up to $40,000.