Physiochemical treatments have been found to be effective for treatment of industrial effluents compared to biological methods. However most physiochemical processes (advanced oxidation processes-AOP, membrane filtration) suffer beacuse of higher costs and intensive energy requirements. Amongst different physiochemical processes adsorption using activated carbon has the advantage of ease of operation, safety and less energy intensive compared to other methods. Also activated carbon has been shown to be equally efficient for refractory organics as well as heavy metals. However most of the commercial activated carbons are expensive. The aim of our proposed research is to manufacture activated from locally available agricultural waste products such as pine cones, pine bark/pruning, corn cobs, rice husk, tobacco biomass and Fir wood residuals. A series of physical and chemical activation methods will be used to produce activated carbon tuned to remove the desired contaminants. In the end possible methods for recovery of dyes and metals will be investigated which will further improve the cost effectiveness of the project.  Our work will help to introduce cheaper locally available adsorbents for wastewater treatment, treat industrial waste at minimum cost, and createresearch interests and job opportunities in this emerging field of adsorbent production.