In this chapter, we critically examined governing frameworks for advancing sustainable waste management through an emphasis on multi-dimensional coordination, stakeholder participation, and circular economy values. It is important to explore and understand how the integration of regulatory, economic, and voluntary policy instruments has shaped urbanizing regions that now face increased challenges with growing waste generation, treatment, and disposal. As part of addressing a significant research gap, we moved beyond the analytical frameworks solely used to capture technical approaches to the institutional and participatory aspects of waste governance systems. We engaged in qualitative research methods associated with a comparative policy analysis, institutions review, and global cases, and chose Indore, India, one of the most celebrated examples of decentralized waste governance, as a case to better understand “lessons learned” and limitations. These were from the EU, USA, Rwanda, and India, all independently constructing waste governance frameworks to garner important lessons from. Our findings highlighted that although the legal route is the starting point for sustainable governance of waste, the use of economic incentives and voluntary approaches should be encouraged in the spirit of innovation and regulation. Formal and informal worker participation, the use of digital tools for engagement as well as civic science needed to be emphasized to inform good governance systems. We concluded the chapter with recommendations of adaptive, inclusive, and digitally engaged governing arrangements addressing the sustainability of the waste futures we all want to pursue.