Considering the characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems, this study conducted a thorough overview of life cycle assessment (LCA)-based models that can be used to support policy decisions on MSW management. A number of MSW management practices using LCA-based models were reviewed at different levels. The application foreground of LCA-based models in China's MSW management was also discussed. This study assessed the applications of LCA-based models in MSW management. We found that LCA is one of those important systematic tools that can be used to support MSW management. LCA models are important to the assessment and identification of life cycle environmental impacts of MSW treatment technologies, the choices and improvements of those technologies, and the policy decisions for MSW management. China is facing great challenges in LCA studies on MSW management, including the development of China-specific MSW management models, the construction of China-specific life cycle inventory databases and life cycle environmental impact indicator systems for MSW, and the integration of interdisciplinary methods.