In the Republic of Moldova, the situation in the field of waste management is similar to countries with an emerging economy because the generation of waste is influenced by numerous factors, such as: the types of economic activity, the difficult macro-financial situation, low incomes, consumer behavior, the degree of responsibility, the level of awareness of the problem of all actors involved in this process. Currently, we can see that the Republic of Moldova is increasingly affected by pollution, including due to plastic waste. The study carried out outlined a synthesis picture on the use of plastic products and plastic packaging, as well as the perception of subjects vis-à-vis the current legislation in the field of waste and plastic products, and created the reflection of society on public policy challenges on plastic waste, which will be addressed in the near future in national circular economy legislation. The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the level of use of plastic products and the generation of plastic waste, as well as to determine the perception and behavior of the end consumer regarding the circular economy. To achieve the proposed objectives, general scientific methods were applied: analysis, synthesis, history and logic, critical analysis of materials, clustering, but also analysis methods, such as survey, interview, statistical processing of empirical data and official data, graph method, indicators, comparison, grouping, etc. This paper was supported by the State Program 20.80009.0807.22 Development of the mechanism for the formation of the circular economy in the Republic of Moldova.