Abstract: Based on the componential method of ecological footprint (EF) computation, a model was developed to calculate the EF of urban solid waste so as to quantify its environmental pressure. With the model applied, the EF of urban solid waste in Shenyang was calculated from 1990 to 2005. The results indicated that almost the entire EF results from the equivalent forest area required for absorbing the greenhouse gas from waste's degradation, i.e., about 200000 hm² in 1990 and 150000 hm² in 2005. In addition, the quantity of solid waste and its disposal intensity were analyzed. The results showed that the quantity was 1.24 t in 1990 and 0.36 t per RMB 10000 of GDP in 2005 with an annual reduction rate of 7.87%, and the disposed quantity of waste was 0.89 t in 1990 and 0.17 t in 2005 with an annual reduction rate of 10.61%, where the GDP was calculated at the fixed price of the secondary and tertiary industries in the city in 2000. Thus, with respect to the quantity and disposal of solid waste, the environmental efficiency in Shenyang's economic development was rising at a relatively high speed.