One of the main challenges regarding the transition to a circular economy at the European level is waste management and achieving specific objectives. By 2025, the recycling and reuse rate of municipal waste should reach 55% and the total volume of recycled packaging 65%, according to European Directives (Waste Directive 05/07/2018). Statistical data and EEA reports are not encouraging: most European countries will not be able to reach these targets until 2025. The current work aims to analyze European legislation regarding waste management but also the national transposition measures communicated by the Member States. The reference statistical data regarding the efficiency of waste management, are also analyzed, at the member states level and at national level, to determine to what extent Romania has reached the targets set by the European Commission regarding waste management, depending on the specific time horizon set by the reference legislative policies.