<p>The rapid expansion of agriculture and processing has generated significant agro-food waste, which is becoming increasingly difficult to dispose of and manage in an environmentally benevolent and sustainable manner. With increased contamination of soil and water due to the presence of dyes, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides, there is an increasing need for the development of sustainable remediation systems. This review critically evaluates the development and utilization of organic agricultural and food waste-derived materials for adsorption and photocatalytic remediation processes. The review presents an overview of the key types of agri-food waste, provides an overview of the pollution potential for major pollutants, and then provides the reader with recent developments in the process of converting these types of waste to active adsorbents and/or photocatalysts. The structural characteristics, surface chemistry, and removal mechanisms associated with recent advancements in the production of low-cost adsorbents/photocatalysts from agri-food waste have been analyzed. The review discusses the key benefits of utilizing agri-food waste-derived materials, such as sustainability and their potential to develop sustainable circular economies, along with the limitations of these materials at the same time. In addition, the review identifies areas where future research should focus on developing the next generation of adsorbents/photocatalysts through hybrid systems and real-world applications. In conclusion, the valorization of agri-food waste has great potential as an eco-friendly approach to develop effective materials for efficient environmental remediation.</p> Graphical abstract