Wastes from processing of Pueraria lobata were activated with 30% KOH soln. (solid-to-liq. ratio 1:6), carbonized at 700 degrees C for 35 min and the resulting activated C was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Its sp. surface area was detd. by using a pore analyzer and its adsorption capacity for Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ was detd. by mass spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma. The I and methylene blue adsorption values were used as quality indexes (130.63 mL/0.1 g and 1301.35 mg/g, resp.). The sp. surface area of the activated C was 1023.83 m(2)/g, the pore size 1.96 nm and the adsorption abilities decreased in series Cu2+ > Pb2+ > Cd2+ > Zn2+. The adsorption ability the activated C prepd. was better than that of a corn. activated C.