In Albania’s EU accession efforts, Chapter 27 on Environment and Climate Change, including Circular Economy (CE), poses major challenges. CE shifts production and consumption towards a regenerative model, aiming to close loops and reduce waste. Albania’s waste sector faces significant hurdles, notably the gap between legislation and enforcement, low public awareness, pollution, and exclusion of marginalized groups, especially informal Roma waste pickers and women*, often subject to intersectional discrimination. This baseline study, supporting GIZ’s “EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth” project, focuses on promoting a just CE transition across 15 municipalities. It delivers stakeholder feasibility maps, a baseline study of stakeholders in EEE and packaging waste streams, and recommendations integrating CE and feminist principles. Using qualitative methods, including expert interviews, focus groups, and Photovoice discussions, the study applied the 6Rs feminist CE framework. Findings reveal power imbalances among stakeholders, the informal sector’s legitimacy despite lack of legal status, and conflict points between sectors. The waste management system struggles with funding, data gaps, and a restrictive governance environment. Informal Roma waste pickers and women* face discrimination, poor conditions, and limited representation. Key recommendations emphasize fostering reduce and reuse activities, formalizing waste picking, securing sustainable NGO financing, and promoting social inclusion in CE initiatives. Political will, societal engagement, and private sector involvement are crucial. Integrating marginalized groups and enhancing public services like water access are imperative for Albania’s successful CE transition and EU integration.