Hydrocarbon waste is generated from various industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, and transportation worldwide. It refers to a diverse range of byproducts, including crude oil spills, refinery sludges, and plastic pollution. These byproducts result from various activities such as extraction, production, use, and disposal of hydrocarbons. Recent trends have emphasised the imperative shift towards sustainable practices for managing hydrocarbon waste. Innovations such as advanced recycling technologies, bio-based alternatives, and circular supply chains have emerged to mitigate the environmental impact and promote resource efficiency. The regulatory frameworks and policies have a crucial impact on the direction of hydrocarbon waste management. The implementation of laws requiring pollution control, waste minimisation, and enhanced producer responsibility has stimulated comprehensive efforts across industries to reduce waste and promote recycling. Although there has been progress, there is still scope for enhancing regulatory frameworks in order to attain complete management of hydrocarbon waste with a zero-waste approach. Achieving this objective requires enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement of regulations, providing incentives for adopting sustainable practices, promoting collaborations across different sectors, and active involvement of all relevant parties within a circular economy framework. By coordinating policies with both environmental and economic goals, the adverse effects of hydrocarbon waste can be reduced, and we can move towards a more sustainable future.