Purpose <p>Efficient removal of heavy metals and organic dyes from wastewater remains a critical environmental challenge. This study aims to address this issue by developing and evaluating a novel pomegranate peel powder/reduced graphene oxide (PPP/rGO) nanocomposite as a potential adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of Pb(II) and methylene blue (MB) from contaminated water. The research primarily focuses on understanding the adsorption mechanisms, efficiency, and reusability of the composite under various environmental conditions.</p> Methods <p>The PPP/rGO nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, BET and zeta potential analysis. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of pH, contact time, sorbent dosage, initial contaminant concentration, salinity, and coexisting ions on adsorption performance. FTIR, EDX, along with isotherm and kinetic modeling, were employed to elucidate the adsorption behavior and underlying mechanisms.</p> Results <p>Pb(II) adsorption was best described by the Freundlich isotherm, indicating heterogeneous adsorption, whereas MB followed the Langmuir isotherm, suggesting monolayer adsorption on a uniform surface. Kinetic modeling showed that the pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit for both contaminants, implying chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacities under optimal conditions were 175.4&#xa0;mg/g for Pb(II) and 215&#xa0;mg/g for MB. Regeneration studies demonstrated high reusability for MB over three cycles, while Pb(II) efficiency declined slightly due to desorption reagent effects.</p> Conclusion <p>The PPP/rGO nanocomposite exhibits excellent adsorption performance, stability, and reusability, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for treating complex wastewater containing both heavy metals and organic dyes. These findings suggest its strong potential for practical environmental applications.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>