The pressing challenges in waste management have motivated this comprehensive study examining prior research and contemporary trends concerning innovation and waste management. A meticulous investigation of 2264 documents (1968–2024) was conducted using bibliometrix R-tool to analyse Scopus and Web of Science databases, offering a holistic global perspective. Heightened societal concern about waste management, driven by soaring waste production from consumption patterns, requires urgent exploration of effective waste elimination and transformation systems. This study provides a comprehensive summary of the topic, delving deeply into its complexities. Through thorough analysis of global trends, it constitutes a significant stride towards identifying effective solutions, offering valuable contributions to both scientific understanding and practical applications. This research pioneers a comprehensive synthesis of innovation and waste management issues, showcasing originality and substantial contributions. The identified collaborative networks expose a lack of transnational cooperation, potentially hindering waste management innovation. Future research around waste management innovation should focus on synergies among competitors within the same industry and across industries to minimize waste and maximize resource utilization, 4.0 technologies, global waste chain impacts and challenges along with solutions for developing countries.
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