Abstract: The construction of “zero-waste city” is a crucial step in advancing ecological civilization and building a Beautiful China. It is also a key measure for achieving synergistic effects of pollution and carbon reduction. China’s current work plans and indicator systems for “zero-waste city” construction provide essential guidance and serve as the primary basis for evaluating “zero-waste city” development effectiveness. They encompass the comprehensive management and treatment of both newly generated and existing solid waste. However, central government inspections on eco-environmental protection during the 14th Five-Year period have revealed several issues in the management of existing solid waste, including illegal dumping, incomplete remediation of historical waste, overburdened landfills, and inadequate leachate management. These problems highlight shortcomings in policies, planning, and design related to existing solid waste management, underscoring the urgent need for improvement. The significance of existing solid waste management in achieving the objectives of “zero-waste city” construction based on the present state was discussed, and the inclusion of “existing solid waste management” as a primary indicator in the current indicator system was proposed, which subdivided into three secondary indicators, namely “existing municipal solid waste management”“existing construction waste management” and “existing industrial solid waste management”, further detailed into six tertiary indicators. Meanwhile, the implications of these new indicators were deeply explored and their feasibility through case studies were demonstrated. This improvement will enhance the policy guidelines of “zero-waste city” construction, motivate more cities to strengthen existing solid waste management, and support the high-standard development and realization of “zero-waste city”.

Key words: 　zero-waste city, existing solid waste management, indicator system optimization