Novel application of the nonmetallic fraction of the recycled printed circuit boards as a toxic heavy metal adsorbent

► Production of a novel activated adsorbent material from the non-metallic component of PCB e-waste. ► Effective performance as a novel adsorbent for the removal of toxic heavy metals. ► Copper removal capacity is 3 mmol/g, commercial resin was 2.2 mmol/g. ► Lead removal capacity is 3.4 mmol/g, commercial resin was 2.4 mmol/g.