Adsorption studies have been carried out for evaluating the suitability of tea factory waste as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of zinc. In India, yearly production of tea is approximately 857000 tonnes which is 27.4% of total world produce. Amount of tea factory waste produced per after processing is about 190400 tonnes. The detailed characterization pertaining to physio-chemical, structural and morphological properties of tea factory waste have also been carried out. Particle size analysis, proximate analysis, ash analysis and ultimate analysis were carried out for physio-chemical characteristics. Thermogravimetric analysis was also done both in ambient and nitrogen atmospheres to see the effect of temperature on the TFW stability. Morphological characteristics are given through scanning electron micro scope analysis. Surface are of tea factory waste was found to be 1.3196 m2/g and TFW works as a very good adsorbent due to presence of adsorption facilitating functional groups. BJH adsorption cumulative pore volume is 0.003973 cm3/g and t- plot micro pore volume is 0.000107 cm3/g. BJH adsorption average pore diameter is 183.168 Å. Calorific value is 21.69 MJ/kg. XRD studies indicates the presence of CaSiF8.2H2O, Al2O3 and Ca(ClO3)2.2H2O. SEM studies reveal that there are lots of crevices and holes throughout the tea factory waste particle. FTIR studies reveal the presence of —OH, C-H, C=O and C-O groups which participate in metal binding. The results prove that the low cost tea factory waste can be used as a potential adsorbent for heavy metals in developing countries like India.