The increase in waste generated by urban households, industry, and digital technology is creating new challenges for the environment, public health, and governance. In this chapter, we describe the three most significant waste streams Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), industrial waste, and e-waste in terms of material composition, management protocols, circular economy applications, and regulatory frameworks. Based on global perspectives and the peer-reviewed literature, we identify significant gaps in the waste governance landscape, including inconsistent and ineffective enforcement of waste governance policies, untested valorization technologies, and the marginalization of informal waste workers. We elucidate the relevance of life cycle assessment (LCA), multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), and geospatial intelligence to optimize the analysis and planning of waste valorization actions. The role of public health institutions and environmental regulatory bodies is also explained specifically concerning occupational exposure, surveillance, and communicating risk. For the creation of sustainable waste systems, we propose governance models that comprise integrated institutional governing bodies, inclusive public–private partnerships, and policy frameworks that promote waste resources in place of waste. This summary reinforces the larger purpose of enacting a circular economy vision that coalesces with all aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate resilience objectives.