Closed petition: Revise and make statutory the Voluntary Code of Practice for Food on the Go

Closed on 9 August 2026

On behalf of a group of councils, we ask the government to issue a clear, enforceable, evidence-based statutory framework to help businesses manage litter consistently, reduce environmental harm, and create fair and proportional responsibility, in partnership with local authorities and volunteers.

Litter from food on the go is a persistent and growing problem across the UK. It can impact public spaces, fuel anti-social behaviour, and place a heavy burden on local authorities and volunteers. The Voluntary Code of Practice for Food on the Go was introduced in 2004, but as a voluntary measure, it is not enforceable. Furthermore, litter trends have evolved since its introduction. The code requires updating to reflect modern food-on-the-go littering across all business sectors.