At present, there are still a lot of solid wastes that can’t be properly treated, and using solid wastes to sinter ceramsite not only conforms to the concept of sustainable development, but also can turn waste into treasure, which is a feasible way of resource utilization. Firstly, the differences of three typical processes for sintering ceramsite from solid waste and some key processes in the sintering process were expounded. And then, the solidification and volatilization processes of seven heavy metals Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and As in the product ceramsite during the sintering process of the above solid waste were analyzed, and six factors that may affect this process were summarized. Finally, the research and application status of ceramsite products in four main fields, such as concrete, water treatment, sound absorption materials and ceramsite proppants, and other emerging directions were summarized. Besides, some problems and prospects in the current migration and solidification of ceramsite heavy metals and the research and application of ceramsite were put forward, which can provide reference for the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution in the process of sintering ceramsite from solid waste and the subsequent use of the ceramsite products.