The government is set to crack down on the litter around burger bars and fast food outlets.

Ministers have launched a new code of practice to reduce the litter which blights areas close to take-away restaurants.

Businesses and local authorities have until the end of January to submit their views on the voluntary rules, which urge outlets to do more to encourage customers to dispose of their rubbish properly.

"There is clear evidence that fast food littering is on the increase," said environment minister Alun Michael.

"The problem starts if any of us says 'If other people don't care why should I care?', and that applies to both individuals and to the industry.

"We want to work with the industry and the community to turn this around. As a former youth worker I believe that young people are also a part of the solution.

"Our proposed Code of Practice gives an outline on how we might work together to make sustained improvements, which will have a direct impact on our local environments and quality of life.

"The code will be good news for the public, fast food operators and local authorities. Ultimately its aim is to make public spaces cleaner and safer to visit, live in and work in."

The move has been welcomed by the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN).

"INCPEN welcomes and supports the government's commitment to tackle litter," said director Jane Bickerstaffe.

"While the ultimate solution is to change public attitudes and behaviour so that littering becomes socially unacceptable, this code is a useful step in the right direction.

"In addition, industry - both as individual companies and through INCPEN - will continue to initiate and support anti-litter projects, educational programmes and research into litter and littering behaviour."

Liberal Democrats have called for all packaging used by fast food companies to be recyclable.

"This is good news for local communities who have to suffer the litter and waste from fast food outlets in their area," said environment spokesman Norman Baker.

"But a voluntary scheme may not be enough to convince some fast food giants to take this problem seriously.

"The government needs to make better use of the provisions that already exist in the 1990 Environmental Protection Act, which allows action to be taken against those responsible.

"What we really need to tackle is the 'throw-away' culture of our fast food nation. And instead of just cleaning up the litter, we need to make sure that the litter is less damaging to our environment.

"The government must take steps to encourage a shift from polystyrene fast food containers to biodegradable and recyclable materials - ideally paper.

"If it can happen in Ireland, surely it can happen in Britain."