In recent years, the recycling of waste products has aroused widespread concern. For quality assurance and unpredictable accident, many viscose films or fibers were thrown away as offal, resulting in the waste of resources and environmental problems. In this paper, waste viscose films were successfully dissolved in NaOH solution by a simple swelling and shearing method. We studied the effects of NaOH concentration and soaking temperature on the dissolution of waste viscose film, and analyzed the dissolving mechanism. Then, regenerated cellulose fibers were spun successfully from the cellulose solution using H2SO4/Na2SO4 coagulation bath. The mechanical properties of the fibers spun in different coagulation bath and different temperature were tested. The results showed that the mechanical strength of the fibers spun in 10 wt% H2SO4/5 wt% Na2SO4 solution at 30 °C was the best, and the breaking strength of the fibers can reach 215 MPa without drawing. Therefore, this research provides a green and convenient pathway for dissolution and reuse of waste viscose, which has a great application prospect in viscose factory. Display omitted •This research provide a green and convenient pathway to reuse of waste viscose.•NaOH aqueous solution was used to dissolve the waste viscose.•The regenerated cellulose fiber exhibited good tensile strength with 215 MPa.