The rapid industrialization and urbanization in China have generated significant challenges in managing waste sustainably. This study employs CiteSpace, a bibliometric and visualization tool, to analyze the evolution and trends in Chinese waste management research from 2000 to 2023. By extracting and mapping key themes, influential publications, and emerging topics, the analysis reveals the most prominent research areas, collaborations between institutions, and leading scholars in the field. Key trends include a shift from traditional waste disposal methods to more innovative waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery technologies. Moreover, the role of government policies and environmental regulations in shaping research priorities is highlighted. This study provides a comprehensive overview of waste management research in China, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to understand the future direction of this critical field.