Statutory guidance

Litter enforcement powers: when and how to use them

Guidance for local authorities on the consistent use of their litter enforcement powers.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
3 March 2026
Last updated
10 March 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Litter enforcement powers - when and how to use them

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6248-2

HTML

Litter enforcement powers - when and how to use them (accessible PDF)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6248-2

PDF, 2.2 MB, 40 pages

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Details

This is a draft version of the statutory guidance: litter enforcement powers – when and how to use them which was laid in Parliament on 25 February 2026. It is undergoing Parliamentary procedure and expected to be confirmed as statutory guidance on 6 April 2026.

This guidance is issued under section 88B of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990.

All litter authorities in England must consider this guidance when using their enforcement powers under or connected to sections 87 to 88A or schedule 3A of the EPA 1990.

It covers best-practice for issuing:  

  • fixed penalty notices (FPN) for littering  
  • FPNs for the unauthorised distribution of free printed materials 
  • civil penalties for littering from vehicles

Updates to this page

Published 3 March 2026
Last updated 10 March 2026 + show all updates

  1. We have published an accessible PDF version of the litter enforcement powers guidance.

  2. First published.

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