Statutory guidance

Litter and refuse: code of practice

This code of practice outlines what a court of law might consider as applicable to different types of land.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 1 April 2013
• Last updated: 10 March 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 10 March 2026

     We have published an accessible PDF version of the code of practice on litter and refuse.

  2. 5 March 2026

     Published the Explanatory memorandum for parliament on the code of practice for litter and refuse.

  3. 3 March 2026

     Following collaboration with local authorities and other duty bodies we have updated the COPLR with clearer explanations, higher quality images and updated legislative references.

  4. 19 October 2023

     We have updated the maximum full penalties in section 11L.0 of the Part 1A enforcement guidance.

  5. 14 February 2022

     We have updated Section 11P.0 of the Part 1A enforcement guidance to show recent changes to legislation. The February 2022 section of this page has details about these changes.

  6. 26 September 2019

     Added the modification note, modified code of practice document and part 1A - enforcement guidance document.

  7. 1 April 2013

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Code of practice on litter and refuse

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6247-5

HTML

Code of practice on litter and refuse (accessible PDF)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6247-5

PDF, 6.98 MB, 52 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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Details

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 imposes duties under section 89(1) and (2) on certain landowners and occupiers to keep specified land clear of litter and refuse, and on local authorities and the Secretary of State to keep clean public highways for which they are responsible.

This document provides a practical guide to the discharge of these duties and applies to England only.

Part 1 contains a code of practice (referred to throughout as ‘the Code’) issued under section 89(7) of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990.

Part 2 contains advisory standards for graffiti and fly-posting. Such defacement, even if partially removed, has an adverse affect on the quality of the environment and can lead to an increase in crime. Even if all of the litter and refuse were cleared, the public would perceive the area to be defaced if graffiti or fly-posting were still present.

Part 3 contains details of the legislative framework that surrounds this code of practice.