<p>Coal gangue is an unavoidable by-product in the coal industry, and the large-scale accumulation has triggered severe environmental issues. However, from the perspective of resource utilization, coal gangue is rich in silicon and aluminum elements which possesses structural adjustability and sustainability, and is thus considered an ideal raw material for constructing zeolite-based materials. Based on a clear understanding of the composition and physicochemical properties of coal gangue, the advantages and feasibility of using it to prepare zeolites have been demonstrated. On this basis, the activation methods of coal gangue have been explored, and the principles, applicable conditions, and effects of different activation methods have been analyzed. Furthermore, the preparation methods of coal gangue-based zeolite materials and their impact laws on performance have been comparatively analyzed. These materials exhibited good activity and selectivity in catalytic degradation, catalytic cracking, and catalytic denitrification, which can enhance reaction efficiency. They also demonstrated favorable adsorption performance in liquid-phase, gas-phase, and solid-phase adsorption, effectively removing target pollutants. Finally, the challenges associated with the high-value utilization have been dissected, and the future prospects have been prospected, providing theoretical support and guidance for the high-value utilization of coal gangue.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>