This page looks at the litter laws in the UK and the proposed changes going through Parliament.
Information Sources
DEFRA’s Guidance on Part 4 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2000 is the best and most up to date source.
Annex C contains the the full text of Part IV (Litter) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as updated by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2000 .
You should also refer DEFRA’s Litter Code of Practice which is a practical guide to the discharge of duties under S 89 (1) and (2) by bodies such as local authorities, the Secretary of State for Transport (for motorways), educational institutions and designated statutory undertakers such as Network Rail.
Scotland has its own Litter Code of Practice.
RCC Training’s guide to the EPA covers EPA Parts 2 and 3 which deal with “waste on land” and “statutory nuisances and clean air” is also helpful
Also refer to DEFRA’ April 2013 guidance for local authorities and other land managers in England, to help them understand the powers and tools available to them under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 , the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 and other environmental legislation to tackle poor environmental quality and anti-social behaviour.
EPA (Environmental Protection Act 1990) Section 89 (1)
Duty to keep land and highways clear of litter etc.
It shall be the duty of ……
(a) each local authority, as respects any relevant highway or, in Scotland, relevant road for which it is responsible, [i.e. local authorities are responsible for all roads other than those covered under (b)]
(b) the Secretary of State, as respects any trunk road which is a special road and any relevant highway or relevant road for which he is responsible, [ i.e.the Secretary of State for Transport is responsible for the network of motorways and strategic roads managed by the Highways Agency in England and Transport for Scotland]
(c) each principal litter authority, as respects its relevant land, [ i.e county councils, district councils and London boroughs are responsible for land which is open to the air, but not highways which are covered under (a), under their direct control and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access with or without payment (see EPA S86)]
(d) the appropriate Crown authority, as respects its relevant Crown land,
(e) each designated statutory undertaker, as respects its relevant land, [ i.e Organisations who are permitted by Act of Parliament to operate railways, light railways, tramways, or road transport undertakings, canals, inland navigation, docks, harbours, piers and airports. For more see our post on EPA Statutory Undertakers ]
(f) the governing body of each designated educational institution or in Scotland such body or, as the case may be, the education authority responsible for the management of the institution, as respects its relevant land, [i.e. the governing body of a school, college or university is responsible for cleaning that part of its land which is open to the air]
…… to ensure that the land is, so far as is practicable, kept clear of litter and refuse.
In other words the various duty bodies are required to ensure that they keep their land clear of litter and refuse so far as is practicable. “Practicable” as opposed to “reasonably practicable” means physically possible without regard to cost. See our post on the meaning of “practicable“.
EPA Section 91
Litter Abatement Orders
An individual can take action via the Magistrates Court against a duty body not complying with their duty to keep their” relevant land” and/or highways clear of litter . See my guide to taking action – Litter Abatement Orders
EPA Section 92
Litter Abatement Notices
Principal Litter Authorities (i.e.Local Councils) can take action in respect to Crown land, land of a statutory undertaker or land of an educational institution. They can issue a Notice requiring the controllers of the land to clear it of litter or refuse within a certain time and /or prohibit them from letting it become defaced by litter in the future. (I understand “statutory undertakers” would include Rail Track, harbour and port authorities, airport operators etc.)
More on EPA S92 Litter Abatement Notices
EPA Section 87 and 88
Dropping litter / Fixed Penalty Notices
It is an offence to drop litter in any place open to the air, including private land, and land covered by water. A person found guilty can be fined up to £2,500.
Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) may be issued by local authorities to people caught in the act. If paid on time the offender avoids facing a criminal prosecution.
See our posts on the offence of dropping litter and Fixed Penalty Notices
FPNs – application to Motorways
Although the Highways Authority are responsible for keeping the motorways free of litter they cannot issue FPNs on their own initiative . However they could apply to the local authorities through which their motorways run to be authorised to issue FPNs. A team could be set up to target drivers on motorway slip roads which are littering hot spots.
EPA S 93 & 94
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
Street Litter Control Notices
Local Authorities can serve Street Litter Control Notices on commercial and retail premises requiring them to clear up litter and implement measures to prevent the adjacent land becoming defaced again.
FPNs can be issued where the premises fail to comply.
EPA S94B and Schedule 3A introduced by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
Distribution of Free Literature
Anyone distributing free literature or paying for its distribution without the Local Authority’s consent is subject to a fine or a FPN
EPA S92 A – C introduced by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act
Litter Clearing Notices
(Replaces Litter Control Areas)
Notices can be issued by a Local Authority on the owner of private land defaced by litter and refuse.
If not cleared the Local Authority can enter the land, clear it and recover the costs from the owner
EPA S34
Duty of care etc. as respects waste.
This imposes a number of duties on anyone who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste including preventing the escape of the waste from his control. Any complaints of its contravention should be made to the Environment Agency.
DEFRA Guide to EPA S34
EPA S59
Notice to Remove of Controlled Waste
Waste collection and waste regulation authorities (Local Authorities) can serve a notice on the occupier or owner of land to remove controled waste unlawfully and knowingly deposited.
The local authority or the Environment Agency can clear the waste and recover costs.
EPA Part III (Statutory Nuisance)
Councils can serve an abatement notice if an accumulation of refuse is prejudicial to health
Section 215 Town & Country Planning Act
A Planning Authority (the local authority) can serve a notice on the owners and occupiers of land requiring the site to be tidied up if it adversely affects the amenity of the neighbourhood
Section 22(3) Control of Pollution Act 1974
Councils can arrange with the owner’s or occupier’s agreement for the cleaning of land to which the public have access. Costs are payable by the owner/occupier.
Section 78 Public Health Act
Councils can sweep and cleanse any court, yard or passage which is used in common by the occupants or two or more buildings and recover the costs from them.
