This article describes the use of bottom ash [a power plant waste] and de-oiled soya [an agricultural waste] as effective adsorbents for the removal of a hazardous azo dye [Chrysoidine Y] from its aqueous solutions. This paper presents an experimental study and discussion of the adsorption characteristics of this dye on the two adsorbents. The adsorbents have been characterized, and also the effects of time, temperature, concentration, pH, and sieve size on the extent of adsorption have been evaluated. Batch adsorption measurements, kinetic studies, and column operations have been performed to elucidate the dye uptake capacity of the adsorbents. The monolayer adsorption capacities at 30 degrees C have been found from Langmuir analysis to be 7.27 x 10(-5) mol g(-1) and 3.35 x 10(-5) mol g(-1) for bottom ash and de-oiled soya, respectively. Adsorption kinetics experimental data are indicative of pseudo-second order kinetics during these processes. Column experiments indicate practical utility of the adsorbents for eradicating hazardous dyes from effluents. The recovery of the adsorbed dye from bottom ash and de-oiled soya, have been found to be 85% and 99%, respectively. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.