Food Related Litter

The Problem

According to research the amount of litter resulting from food and drink being consumed outdoors is rising. This litter can include packaging or unfinished food and drink. Litter is not always found directly outside the shop or business where it was sold, as people often eat and drink as they walk along, or find a seat somewhere close by, throwing their litter away when they have finished.

The Message

To help tackle the problem the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) commissioned ENCAMS to produce a Voluntary Code of Practice. The Voluntary Code suggests ways in which the council and local businesses that sell food and drink for immediate consumption outdoors, could work together to tackle local litter problems.  

Break the Rules, Pay the Price

If you are caught littering you may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for £75. Fixed Penalty Notices are issued as an alternative to prosecution. This means that if you receive a Notice and choose not to pay it, you could face a higher fine or be prosecuted which will result in a criminal conviction.

Further Information

If you have a business that sells food and drink for immediate consumption, and would like to work with the council to reduce associated litter, contact Community Protection using the details at the top right of this page.

To find out more check out the fact sheets available on our Downloads page