Keep Britain Tidy to update Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse

Keep Britain Tidy has been appointed by the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to review and update important guidance for land managers about the way litter and refuse should be managed in England.

The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse provides practical guidance to local authorities and other duty bodies on how to comply with their legal obligation to keep land clear of litter and refuse and provides a set of recovery times for them to address problems with litter, refuse and detritus should they fall below the prescribed standard.

Although there have been some additions to the guidance over time, it is 17 years since it was last fully updated and in 2017 the Government made a commitment in its National Litter Strategy to update the Code.

Keep Britain Tidy will now be working to revise the Code to reflect changes in legislation and the technological, economic and social environment in which land managers now operate, while also clarifying some of the standards described.

The charity’s experts will be consulting with stakeholders, including local authorities and other managers of publicly accessible land, in the coming months to help shape the revised Code. Those interested in participating in the consultation should contact network.enquiries@keepbritaintidy.org

The review will also look at guidance on dealing with litter on land with ‘special circumstances’, such as the carriageways verges, and central reservations of motorways and trunk roads, which have attracted a lot of media attention in recent times.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders to develop a new code that is fit for purpose and meets the needs of everyone involved in litter management.

“It will help to ensure that our communities are clean and tidy, and that we are doing everything we can to reduce the environmental impact of litter.”

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity that has been working to improve the quality of the local environment for over 60 years. The charity has a wealth of experience in working with local authorities and other duty bodies so is well-placed to deliver this important project.

Defra Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow said: "We are committed to supporting councils to combat litter. That’s why we have provided nearly £1m for local authorities to purchase new bins, increased the upper limit for on-the spot fines and published guidance on effective enforcement.

“I am pleased that Keep Britain Tidy will also be reviewing and updating the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse, building on the government’s Litter Strategy, to improve the quality of the local environment for everyone.”