This study examines the effectiveness of classical computer vision methods for modern waste classification by combining Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) for feature extraction with Support Vector Machine (SVM) for classification. The TrashNet dataset, consisting of five categories—cardboard, glass, metal, paper, and plastic—was used as the primary benchmark. To address data limitations and improve generalization, augmentation techniques such as random rotations, horizontal flipping, and brightness adjustments were applied. Hyperparameter optimization was further conducted using GridSearchCV with the RBF kernel to determine the most effective configuration. The optimized model achieved an accuracy of 84.36%, representing a substantial improvement from the 60% baseline. These findings confirm that non-deep learning approaches remain relevant and can serve as computationally efficient alternatives to CNNs, which typically require GPUs and extensive training time. Challenges persist in classifying reflective materials such as glass and metal, where HOG descriptors are less effective. Future work should integrate complementary descriptors, including color and texture-based features, to enhance robustness and scalability. Overall, the study demonstrates that an optimized HOG-SVM pipeline offers a practical, resource-efficient solution for automated waste classification, with strong potential to support sustainable waste management in real-world applications.