#MyWeymouth is an ambitious project testing new ways to stop litter at its source across key litter hotspots in Weymouth.
To help identify priority areas and gather community insights, we’ve used a wide range of engagement and data collection methods, including:
Using this community feedback, we chose several hotspot areas to trial targeted interventions. Each intervention ran for one month and were measured using before‑and‑after litter audits to assess their impact. See our Trial Summary Presentation for a round-up of the results.
We’re sharing eye-catching artwork on the digital screens along the seafront, encouraging everyone enjoying the esplanade to take their rubbish home.
The messaging is positive, humourous and centred on collective responsibility – because it’s up to all of us to help keep Weymouth tidy.
If you spot the artwork, take a photo and share it on social media using the hashtag #MyWeymouth, along with what you love most about the town.
To help tackle cigarette litter around the harbour, we’ve partnered with four local pubs -The King’s Arms, The Royal Oak/Rendezvous, The Ship Inn and Old Rooms Inn.
Together we’ve installed three cigarette butt bins and a Ballot Bin to encourage smokers to bin their butts rather than throw them on the pavement/down a drain.
The Ballot Bin adds a bit of fun by letting smokers ‘vote’ on a light-hearted question (such as “Mayo or ketchup on your chips?”) using their cigarette butts.
We are always looking for more businesses to join the campaign and host a butt bin. If you know an area that would benefit from a butt bin then please get in touch!
Bright, friendly signage has been installed at key entrance points to the Marsh Playing Fields, encouraging visitors to respect the area by using public bins responsibly and clearing up after their dogs.
Local households have also received a postcards with:
Melcombe Regis Cemetery has also seen new welcoming signage highlighting its status as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest.
The signs emphasise the importance of binning dog poo, include clear enforcement messaging, and provide a link for reporting dog fouling.
Following a workshop with Budmouth Academy’s Eco Club, we’ve launched the ‘Budmouth Battle of the Bottles’; a competition between school houses to recycle the most plastic bottles. The aim is to boost the school’s recycling as well as reduce the number of bottles littered across the school grounds.
We are now expanding the Battle of the Bottles to other secondary schools in Weymouth, so more young people can get involved with recycling their plastic bottles with an element of competitive fun!
Building on the success of our first round of trials, we’re expanding several interventions across Weymouth throughout summer 2026.
Download the Trial Summary Presentation
The “Take Your Rubbish Home” campaign will continue on Weymouth’s digital seafront screens throughout the summer holidays.
Look out for our bright and positive messages encouraging everyone to help keep Weymouth beautiful by taking responsibility for their litter.
We’re working with local businesses to help promote Weymouth’s Beach Toy Libraries, making it easier for families to borrow, play and return beach toys instead of buying new ones.
By displaying posters and adding stickers to plastic beach toys, businesses can help raise awareness of the toy libraries located along the seafront slipways.
We’re working with Weymouth Town Council to install a new loudspeaker system on the beach.
Throughout the summer, visitors will hear occasional friendly reminders encouraging them to take their rubbish home.
Over the school summer holidays, our new #MyWeymouth Beach Rangers will be out on the beach one day each week.
They’ll be:
Would you like to join the Beach Ranger team?
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help engage with visitors and promote positive litter behaviours. If you’re interested in becoming a Beach Ranger please email us litterfreedorset@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
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