Categorization of waste and its management is an important issue because it helps to protect the environment, conserve resources, protect public health, provide economic benefits and ensure compliance with regulations. Therefore, proper waste management is essential for ensuring the health and well-being of citizens, protecting the environment and preserving natural resources. Effective waste management and disposal has become a major challenge facing many economies around the world. A sustainable economy requires a balance between economic growth, social well-being and environmental sustainability, with a focus on reducing inequality, building human capital and ensuring access to resources for future generations. It is important to consider the potential impacts of waste and develop effective waste management strategies to reduce harm and promote sustainability. This paper deals with the research of waste management issues as well as the development aspects of waste management in the Republic of Croatia. The paper analyzes the socio-economic aspects of modern waste management, the importance of waste in the model of sustainable development, as well as the shortcomings of waste disposal and current trends and initiatives for waste reduction. As a basis, the results of research into the economic effects of waste disposal through the process of paying a special disposal fee for certain categories of waste to the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency (FZOEU) are presented, based on which fees the income or collected financial resources are used for disposal and recovery or are directed to other programs and projects of importance for environmental protection and energy efficiency.