This paper elucidates a study on the re-utilization and stabilization of municipal solid waste (MSW) fly ash in producing a high value-added product by the surface modification of anionic chelating surfactant on the particles. After modification, MSW fly ash can be expected using as a filler of ultra-high molecular weight polymers. The effects of anionic chelating surfactants (ACS) on surface modification of MSW fly ash and fixing capacity for heavy metals were explored. Meanwhile, the interaction mechanism between surfactants and MSW fly ash was suggested. The results showed that anionic chelating surfactants can be used to effectively modify MSW fly ash particles and achieve a high active ratio. At the same time, they also exhibited a strong fixing capacity for heavy metals. Of the two modified MSW fly ash, ED3A-modified MSW fly ash has a much higher active ratio than MAP-modified MSW fly ash at over 95%, although its fixing capacity for heavy metals was a shade lower than MAP-modified MSW fly ash. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.