The global escalation in solid waste generation, notably from the construction and manufacturing sectors, has created an urgent need for innovative waste management strategies. Biomimicry, which involves emulating natural processes, holds significant promise for enhancing sustainability in solid waste management (SWM). However, its implementation faces substantial barriers, including limited government support, a lack of widespread understanding of biomimicry principles, ineffective environmental policies, a lack of interdisciplinary collaboration, unavailability of research funding, and no supportive legislation. This study employs a mixed-methods approach that includes a systematic literature review and scientometric analyses to investigate these barriers. Scopus database and VosViewer were used for the scientometric analysis of aspects of the research. The findings revealed that fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, increasing investment in research, and enacting supportive legislation are critical steps to overcoming these barriers. Addressing these issues could enable biomimicry to play a transformative role in advancing circular economy practices and mitigating the environmental impacts of waste. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers and industry leaders aiming to effectively integrate nature-inspired strategies into SWM, bridging gaps in traditional waste management systems and contributing to long-term sustainability.