The adsorption of cadmium, copper(II), lead and zinc ions from aqueous solution by sewage sludge, paper mill waste (PMW) and composted PMW was investigated along with the influence of pre-treatment on composted PMW. Langmuir adsorption isotherms were fitted where appropriate. Sewage sludge was the most effective biosorbent of the waste products for all metal ions examined, adsorbing, for example, up to 39.3 mg/g of Pb at an initial concentration of 77.8 mg/l. PMW was a less effective biosorbent than sewage sludge. However, it was found that composting the PMW resulted in an increase in metal uptake capacity and both sewage sludge and composted PMW have potential for low-cost remediation of high leachate wastewaters. The desorption of metal ions from PMW compost was most effective using 0.1 N H2SO4 and 1 mM nitrilotriacetic acid(NTA).