This study examines the evolving dynamics of waste management in the 21st century, focusing on the challenges, opportunities, and pathways toward sustainable solutions. Employing a mixed-method research design, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from urban, peri-urban, and semi-rural regions to evaluate environmental, socio-economic, and technological dimensions of waste management. The results revealed significant spatial variations in waste generation, composition, and management efficiency. Urban cores recorded the highest waste generation (1.24 kg/capita/day) and better recycling performance, while semi-rural areas exhibited a higher proportion of organic waste (59.1%), indicating strong potential for composting and bioenergy conversion. Socio-economic factors such as income and awareness strongly influenced segregation behavior, while technological adoption remained low across regions. The Sustainable Waste Management Index (SWMI) developed in this study highlighted the urban core’s superior sustainability score (0.74) compared to peri-urban (0.58) and semi-rural (0.46) areas. These findings emphasize the necessity for decentralized waste management systems, enhanced public participation, technological innovation, and stronger policy frameworks to transition toward a circular and sustainable waste economy.