<p>The global solid waste trade has undergone significant transformations in recent decades, marked by increasing asymmetries between exporting and importing countries. This paper investigates the spatiotemporal, institutional, and environmental evolution of this network. Drawing on theories such as gradient industry transfer, the pollution haven hypothesis, and socioeconomic metabolism, we visualize multi-decade trade data and summarize key policy and institutional trends to identify the shifting trade patterns. A core focus is the dramatic shift of China’s role: from being a dominant importer of recyclable materials to implementing strict import bans. This policy change has reshaped the network of global waste flows and calls for improving the global solid waste governance system. Following China’s ban, waste flows shifted to countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where comprehensive regulatory and waste management systems are still under development. These findings underscore the urgent need for international cooperation to enhance local waste management capacities. We propose a transition toward differentiated and cooperative policy frameworks that harmonize global standards with localized implementation abilities. This study concludes with recommendations for integrating environmental justice, regulatory coherence, and long-term resilience into the governance of global solid waste trade.</p>