The H2O2/pyridine/Cu(II) advanced oxidation system was used to assess the efficiency of the treatment of a 1 g L-1 Terasil Red R dye solution. This system was found to be capable in reducing the concentration of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the dye solution up to 90%, and achieving 99% in decolorization at the optimal concentration of 5.5 mM H2O2, 38 mM pyridine and 1.68 mM Cu(II). The final concentration of COD was recorded at 117 mg L-1 and color point at 320 PtCo. Full 2(4) factorial design and the response surface methodology using central composite design (CCD) were utilized in the screening and optimization of this study. Treatment efficiency was found to be pH independent. The amount of sludge generation was in the range of 100-175 mg L-1 and the sludge produced at the optimal concentration was 170 mg L-1. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.