The shift of a linear economy to the circular one is what has become a necessity to solve the increasing environmental issues related to waste production and depletion of resources. This paper examines how cooperative models can be utilized to support the integration of the circular economy into waste management and recycling. Based on a systematic review of the literature and a thematic analysis, the studies on the cooperative governance, recycling efficiency, and sustainability outcomes were investigated within the period 2015-2025 and relevant articles were found. The results have shown that waste picker cooperatives and community recycling groups are cooperative structures that improve the waste collection, segregations, and recycling processes, improve the resource recovery and decrease landfill waste. It also shows that cooperation waste management systems lead to social inclusion and creation of jobs as well as encouragement of cost-effective recycling activities. Nevertheless, there are still obstacles like institutional support and poor recycling infrastructure, which are hampering the adoption of large scale. The research emphasizes the role of a supportive policy, stakeholder cooperation, and investments in recycling infrastructure to reinforce circular waste management systems that are cooperative in nature.
