Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the disposal of combustible refuses in the manufacture of cement clinker by preheating and partly calcining the cement raw meal in a preheater, burning in a rotary kiln and subsequently air cooling the clinker, the refuse being separately burned and the flue gas obtained thereby transfers its heat to the cement raw meal. In the process according to the invention, hot exhaust air of the clinker cooler is fed to the refuse incineration and flue gas having a temperature of from 1000.degree. to 1400.degree. C. is produced during said incineration by means of which the cement raw meal is calcined. The slag of the refuse incineration is separately discharged.