The ability of chromium-collagen compounds-chromium shavings from the leather industry-for the removal of vegetable tannins from mixed effluents containing tannins and chromium has been studied. The experimental equilibrium data for the tannin-shavings system has been analyzed using the linearized forms of Langmuir, Freundlich, and Scatchard isotherms. The Freundlich isotherm was found to provide the best theoretical correlation of the experimental data for the adsorption of tannin. The 1/n value for tannin adsorption was found to be 0.799, indicating the suitability of the material for adsorption process. A theoretical model evaluated in the study provided sufficient correlation and enabled development of parameters such as treatment time, sorbent weight, etc., required for maximum adsorption. The tannin adsorbed shavings were used for the preparation of chromium(III) sulfate. The chromium left behind after near complete removal of tannins was recovered by precipitative techniques and subsequently redissolved in sulfuric acid to generate chromium(III) sulfate. The prepared and recovered chromium(III) sulfate on use in tanning process gave results similar to those of conventional chromium(III) salts, thereby providing a new methodology for the reuse of waste products of the leather industry directly into the leather industry itself.