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NITA AccreditedFoundationPhysical + Virtual5 days16xN

Training on Circular Economy Principles in WASH

Discover how to apply circular economy principles in WASH. Learn sustainable practices, resource recovery, and waste-to-value approaches to regenerate WASH systems effectively.

Next intake

20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru

View all dates

Duration

5 days

Live instruction

Delivery

Physical + Virtual

Cohort based

Level

Foundation

Working professionals

Certification

NITA reimbursable

For Kenyan cohorts

Language

English

All materials

Overview

About this programme

This training introduces participants to the application of circular economy principles in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector. The course explores how to shift from linear resource use to regenerative, closed-loop systems that prioritize sustainability, waste reduction, and resource recovery. Participants will learn how to identify opportunities for “waste to value” approaches, apply circular design thinking in WASH systems, and build more resilient and sustainable WASH services through real-world examples and tools.

Duration

5 Days

Who Should Attend

  • WASH Engineers and Planners

  • Environmental and Sanitation Officers

  • Circular Economy and Sustainability Practitioners

  • NGO and Development Program Staff

  • Utility and Infrastructure Managers

  • Government Officials in Water and Sanitation

  • Researchers and Policy Makers

Learning outcomes

What you'll walk away with

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand core principles of the circular economy in WASH contexts

  • Identify opportunities for resource recovery and reuse in sanitation and water systems

  • Apply sustainable WASH practices that reduce waste and environmental impact

  • Design and evaluate waste to value business models for WASH services

  • Promote policies and partnerships that support circular WASH systems

  • Analyze case studies demonstrating circular economy WASH innovation

Course modules

What we cover, module by module

Module 1: Introduction to Circular Economy in WASH

  • Principles of circular economy and systems thinking in WASH
  • Transitioning from linear to circular WASH service models
  • Opportunities for resource efficiency and sustainable sanitation
  • Global trends and innovations in circular WASH systems
  • Case Study: Circular WASH initiatives in East Africa and emerging economies
  • Practical: Identify circular economy opportunities within a local WASH system

Module 2: Resource Recovery and Waste-to-Value Solutions

  • Water, nutrient, and energy recovery from WASH systems
  • Reuse of greywater, wastewater, and fecal sludge for productive use
  • Waste-to-energy and waste-to-compost technologies
  • Market development for recovered WASH resources and by-products
  • Case Study: Sludge-to-energy and agricultural reuse projects
  • Practical: Develop a resource recovery concept for a community sanitation system

Module 3: Sustainable and Inclusive Circular WASH Design

  • Circular design principles for water and sanitation infrastructure
  • Climate-smart and environmentally sustainable WASH approaches
  • Community participation and inclusive service delivery models
  • Integrating circularity into urban and rural sanitation planning
  • Case Study: Sustainable sanitation systems with community-led management
  • Practical: Design a circular WASH service delivery model

Module 4: Policy, Partnerships, and Institutional Frameworks

  • Regulatory and policy frameworks supporting circular WASH systems
  • Public-private partnerships for resource recovery and innovation
  • Institutional coordination for sustainable WASH management
  • Financing and investment strategies for circular WASH projects
  • Case Study: National circular sanitation and resource recovery programs
  • Practical: Conduct a stakeholder and policy analysis for circular WASH implementation

Module 5: Monitoring, Scaling, and Innovation in Circular WASH

  • Monitoring tools and indicators for circular WASH performance
  • Scaling circular economy initiatives through innovation and technology
  • Risk management and sustainability assessment for regenerative WASH systems
  • Strategic planning for long-term circular WASH integration
  • Case Study: Scaling circular sanitation enterprises in low-resource settings
  • Final Project: Develop a circular WASH pilot project and implementation roadmap
Impact

Where the change lands

Organizational Impact

  • Enhances sustainability and long-term viability of WASH projects through resource-efficient approaches.

  • Improves resource allocation by reducing operational costs and generating value from recovered resources.

  • Strengthens organizational credibility in innovative and sustainable development.

Personal Impact

  • Develops in-demand skills for careers in development and environmental sectors.

  • Supports progression to senior planning, leadership, or advisory roles.

  • Empowers participants to lead circular economy and sustainable WASH initiatives.

Dates and locations

Upcoming intakes

Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.

Full calendar
FAQs

Common questions.

Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.

The goal is to equip you with the skills to apply circular economy principles to WASH, creating sustainable systems that recover resources from waste and wastewater.

Course finder

Find the right course for you

Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.

For corporate teams

Training 10+ professionals?

We deliver Training on Circular Economy Principles in WASH in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.