Adsorbents derived from plant materials of Prosopis Cineraia, Tephrosia purpurea and Justicia adhatoda, have been explored for their affinity towards Zinc ions from waste waters. Sorption natures of these adsorbents have been probed with respect to various physicochemical parameters and the conditions of extraction for the maximum removal of Zinc from polluted waters, have been optimized. In many of the sorbents, more than 70% extraction has been noted. % removal is found to be more with ashes as adsorbents, followed by stems powder and leaves powder. The effect of co-ions on the % of extraction is studied; anions, monovalent cations and many of the divalent cations commonly found in natural waters, have marginal effect. The procedures developed have been successfully applied to samples collected from industrial effluents and polluted lakes.