Studies on the removal of zinc by adsorption on two types of flyashes, namely Bokaro Thermal Power Plant Fly ash and Fluidized Bed Combustion Fly Ash from Tata Steel, Jamadoba were carried out. Since industrial waste water often contains high concentration of heavy metals/toxic elements, it was thought worthwhile to initiate studies on removal of these elements by adsorption on untreated flyash obtained from different thermal power plants be it pulverized coal fired or fluidized bed combustion.