Fort William, the outdoor capital of the UK, continues to set an example in community pride and environmental action. Thanks to a successful partnership between Keep Britain Tidy and the BID Fort William, a new behaviour change campaign that stops smokers littering their cigarette butts has helped make the town cleaner, more welcoming, and more sustainable.
The collaboration was launched to address one of the most persistent and unsightly forms of litter – cigarette butts. As the country’s most littered item, they make up a large proportion of litter found on our streets. Made from plastic and containing toxic chemicals, cigarette butts pose a lasting threat to the environment and local waterways.
By working with Keep Britain Tidy, the BID Fort William has introduced targeted solutions that not only improve local cleanliness but also demonstrate the power of collective investment through the BID model.
As part of the project, a series of practical research-based interventions were introduced during the Lochaber Live music festival and later extended to pubs, bars, and restaurants throughout Fort William.
These included:
Together, these measures combined education with practical action, resulting in a visible improvement across the town.
Since the interventions began, both residents and business owners have reported a noticeable drop in cigarette litter across key public areas. Cleaner streets not only look better but also create a more pleasant experience for locals and visitors alike.
The positive environmental impact has been significant. Cigarette filters are made from plastic fibres that can take more than a decade to break apart into microplastics, releasing toxins and harming nature. By changing people who smoke’s littering behaviour, and reducing this type of litter, Fort William is helping protect its natural environment – from the town centre to the nearby lochs and mountains that attract thousands of tourists each year.
A cleaner environment also supports local economic growth. Visitors are more likely to return to a town that takes pride in its appearance, and local businesses benefit from the improved perception and atmosphere.
The strategic partnership between the BID, Keep Britain Tidy and Scotland’s Towns Partnership – supported by carefully targeted local investment, has been the driving force behind the project’s success. This combined approach shows how small-scale, well-placed funding can unlock long-term community benefits. The retained assets, including the oil-drum sand bins and Butt Boxes, will continue to serve the town for years to come, reducing the need for repeated spending, shifting littering behaviours, and supporting sustained litter reduction efforts. Our huge thanks to all teams involved in delivering this project.
This initiative highlights the importance of having an active Business Improvement District in Fort William. The BID structure allows local businesses to work together, pool resources, and drive projects that improve the area for everyone.
Through this partnership, the BID was able to collaborate with Keep Britain Tidy, drawing on their expertise and resources while delivering a project tailored to the specific needs of Fort William.
Without the BID coordinating such an initiative would have been far more difficult. The success of this project is a clear example of how collective business investment can deliver tangible results – cleaner streets, enhanced public spaces, and a stronger sense of community pride.
The collaboration between Keep Britain Tidy and the BID Fort William is a foundation for future action. The resources introduced through this project – such as the permanent oil drum bins, Butt Boxes, and campaign materials – will continue to make a difference for years to come.
The BID aims to build on this success by exploring further environmental improvement projects, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, tourism, and community wellbeing. We also hope to continue working with partners like Keep Britain Tidy to deliver more infrastructure and programs to help rid the community of cigarette litter.
As Fort William continues to thrive as a destination and place to live, maintaining clean, attractive, and welcoming public spaces remains a shared goal. Through partnerships like this one, the town is proving that when local businesses and national organisations work together, small changes can lead to a significant impact.
The partnership between Keep Britain Tidy and the BID Fort William demonstrates how collaboration and investment can deliver meaningful results. With a clear focus on reducing cigarette litter, improving public spaces, and supporting sustainability, the project has achieved visible and lasting benefits for the community.
For Fort William, this initiative is more than a clean-up effort – it’s a model for how partnerships can make a measurable difference, promoting a winning combination of environmental responsibility, community pride, and economic value.
