Waste management is a crucial element in a suite of environmental interventions to sustainably manage development in South Africa. As such, waste management gives effect to Outcome 10 of the Government-wide Monitoring and Evaluation System (GWM&E)13, namely that 'environmental assets and natural resources are well protected and continually enhanced'. This outcome consists of several outputs and sub-outputs, and waste management contributes to two of its outputs. For 'Output 2: Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and improved air quality', waste minimisation, diversion of waste from landfill, composting and reduced resource consumption will help to reduce CO2 emissions. For 'Output 3: Sustainable Environmental Management', less and better managed waste is a key component of sustainable environmental management.
The NWMS also contributes to a number of other high level outcomes, namely:
Outcome 4: Decent Employment through Inclusive Economic Growth
Outcome 8: Sustainable Human Settlements and Improved Quality of Household Life
Outcome 9: Responsive, Accountable, Effective and Efficient Local Government System