The transition to a circular economy necessitates cities to effectively manage their waste flows by capturing and redirecting them within the municipal domain. Traditional approaches to controlling waste flows have primarily relied on quantitative methods, such as material flow analyses. These methods excel in mapping the quantitative aspects of the materials and visualizing their sequential movements. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role of human behavior in shaping waste flows. For example, the way that citizens sort their waste determines the components and calorific value of the flows and directly impacts the circular rerouting challenges within the city. This paper argues that enhancing waste management practices in a circular economy requires analytical tools capable of incorporating the social dimension. Based on this premise, a novel approach termed the Waste Journey is developed and tested using a case study on household renovation waste in the Netherlands. Various methodological options to map the case are discussed and an initial framework for the Waste Journey is then proposed. The study emphasizes the influence of social processes on waste handling and offers a comprehensive means in which these processes can be mapped to effectively address challenges toward zero-waste cities.