Abstract
This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of the interdisciplinary literature to explore the interplay between social innovation and the circular economy in advancing global sustainability goals, with an emphasis on waste management and packaging innovation. While these topics are widely recognized as critical for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, there remains a lack of integrative reviews that quantitatively map their intersections. This is particularly evident in relation to community-led practices and their role in sustainable packaging solutions. This study addresses this gap by analysing 470 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024, using clustering algorithms, citation networks, and thematic mapping. Four major research clusters are identified: waste management and circular economy; urban development and heritage; community and social sustainability; and innovation and knowledge development. The centrality of community-focused sustainability emerges as a key finding, alongside the evidence of geographic specializations and evolving keyword trends. This research contributes to the literature by offering a structured overview of an emerging field, and highlighting strategic directions for future research. It also provides practical implications for policymakers and institutions seeking to integrate technical and social approaches to sustainability.