In this study, we prepare low-cost adsorbents from paper industry waste (newspaper (NP) and white paper (WP) waste) through a simple drying process and used them for Pb(II) removal. Characteristics, maximum Pb(II) removal capacities of prepared adsorbents, and Pb(II) removal mechanisms are investigated. The maximum amounts of adsorbed Pb(II) on NP and WP derived from the Langmuir isotherm are 42.4 and 18.5 mg center dot g(-1), respectively. This value is similar or more effective than commercial and other low-cost Pb(II) sorbents. It indicates that low-cost adsorbents prepared from paper industry waste have high potential as inexpensive and effective heavy metal adsorbents.