There are no formal refuse removal services or refuse dumps in the rural areas of Nongoma. There is a landfill site in Nongoma Town that is in the process of being closed. This landfill site is full and no provisions have yet been made for a new site within the town.
The Community Survey (2007) indicates that the number of households receiving some form of refuse removal from the municipality of company has decreased from 4.3% in 2001 to 1.6% in 2007.
The Basic Services Publication (COGTA, 2009) indicates that 32.4% of households or 12 921 households have access to a refuse removal service. The report also indicates that 67.6% or 26 945 households have below basic level of services.
THE INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN (IWMP)
The ZDM is responsible for preparing and reviewing its IWMP. An IWMP must review the existing solid waste management practices at a DM level and suggest better ways of waste disposal and recycling.