The city of Zagreb is the socio-political and economic center of the Republic of Croatia, and in its further economic growth on the one hand, and social responsibility, and thus the efforts to form a more prosperous society on the other hand, the policy of sustainable development through "smart" waste management as to preserve resources and, finally, to protect the environment and thus the quality of life in the City of Zagreb. Waste management should be one of the integral elements of a sustainable economy and sustainable development. Citizens should be educated, informed and encouraged through various activities and measures to accept as a necessity the habit of separating communal waste, processing, recycling and waste disposal. In this way, they improve their city in an economic sense because they repurpose waste materials and, protecting the environment from pollution, promote a healthier and more comfortable life. Waste management should always start with measures to reduce and prevent the generation of waste, and already generated waste should be prepared for recycling and for new use. The Republic of Croatia, as a member of the European Union and the United Nations, has signed agreements, conventions and protocols related to issues of sustainable development and environmental protection.