Efficient waste managementWaste management is an essential factor of sustainable developmentSustainable development policy, regulatory frameworks, and governance structure. Waste managementWaste management within the circular economyCircular Economy (CE) is based on recovery, reduction, recycling, and reuse. Waste management plays a substantial role in mitigating climate change and supporting circular economy practices. However, regulatory frameworks often fail to align with climate change principles, leading to waste policy and creating a governance gap. This research examines the relationship between waste managementWaste management and climate change mitigationClimate change mitigation, focusing on regulatory challenges. The difficulties described include significant differences in execution at the Member State level, as well as enforcement and compliance barriers, such as inadequate monitoring mechanisms, policy shortcomings, financial limitations, and insufficient stakeholder participation. The research provides recommendations, for instance, the reinforcement of Extended Producer ResponsibilityExtended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, alignment among Member States, integration of the Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable development GoalsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (SDGs) into climate change mitigationClimate change mitigation planning, and support for public involvement in governance. This research focuses especially on regulatory gaps and challenges in the European Union Waste Law. It describes implementation disparities and compliance barriers across member states as implementation-related disparities and economic and infrastructural factors. It also stresses policy, governance, and climate change challenges, such as the integration of the SDGsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the domestic law of Member States, financial barriers, the necessity of stakeholder engagement, and data access and transparency issues among Member States. The research analyzes and underscores the need for a more cohesive roadmap by aligning waste managementWaste management principles with the European Union’s climate goals. It covers legal analysis of European Union directives and regulations. Additionally, it identifies regulatory challenges by reviewing academic literature regarding European Union waste law and recommends reform solutions.