WELL Factsheet: The process for sanitation marketing

A good toilet is one of the basic necessities for every day life, yet millions of households in developing countries lack this basic facility. There are many sociological, psychological, financial and health related benefits of owning a toilet. The majority of toilets in less developed countries are built by the ‘informal private sector’ (small independent providers) and paid for by the house owner, tenants or a combination of both. This indicates that sustainable access to sanitation can be achieved by supporting the informal sector to develop the sanitation market, (Cairncross 2004). In marketing, the key is to ensure the right ‘marketing mix’ – Product, Price, Place and Promotion - and the same rule applies to sanitation marketing. This fact sheet provides an insight into the process of sanitation marketing. Sanitation in this fact sheet refers to hygienic disposal of human excreta.

Author: Amaka Obika, December 2004 Quality assurance: Sandy Cairncross Edited and produced as a PDF document: May 2020

Produced by WEDC and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for the Department of International Development (DFID) of the UK government (now the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)), this archive collection of WELL factsheets remains relevant. It covers topics ranging from the anaerobic treatment of municipal wastewater through to water quality and safety plans.