Radioactive contamination poses a significant environmental threat, requiring effective remediation strategies. While chemical and biological approaches have been proposed as potential solutions, their relative effectiveness remains unclear. This systematic review provides a comprehensive and updated evaluation of chemical, physical, and biological remediation strategies, using the PRISMA methodology to assess studies published between 2010 and 2024. Through a tri-axial framework, the review classifies remediation technologies into advanced chemical approaches such as functionalized porous materials, nanomaterials, and hybrid sorbents, physical techniques (e.g., soil washing, electrokinetics, vitrification), and bioremediation methods (e.g., phytoremediation and microbial consortia). Quantitative analysis highlights that chemical methods, particularly those involving metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and engineered clays, exhibit high removal efficiencies for isotopes like ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, and ²⁴¹Am, while biological approaches offer sustainability and in situ applicability, especially for uranium and technetium remediation. Physical strategies, though often more immediate, are limited by cost and environmental disturbance. A comparative analysis reveals that hybrid and integrated remediation approaches hold the highest potential for scalable and long-term success. The review also links radionuclide remediation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explores its integration within circular economy models. Future directions emphasize the need for site-specific validation, long-term ecological monitoring, cost-effectiveness assessments, and the development of multifunctional remediation frameworks. These findings provide critical guidance for researchers, policymakers, and environmental engineers in addressing radioactive contamination with scientifically informed, sustainable solutions. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.