Abstract: Background and Objectives: Industrial effluent often contain heavy metals which bio-accumulate and persist in the environment, thereby constituting health problems. Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) wastes, which are nuisance to the environment could be used to produce activated carbon that are of public health importance. This study assessed the effect of the operating variables on the adsorption of lead and cadmium ions on plantain (Musa paradisiaca) wastes in effluent from battery recycling plant. Materials and Methods: Plantain wastes were collected from a plantation, sun-dried, homogenized, carbonized and activated using phosphoric acid at 400°C to produce the adsorbents. Composite samples of acid-lead battery recycling effluent from the point of discharge into Ogunpa river in Ibadan, southwestern, Nigeria was subjected to physico-chemical (pH, conductivity, Total Dissolved (TDS)), (Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr)) analysis using standard methods. Adsorption capacity was studied at varied effects of pH (2-12) and adsorbent doses (0.1-2.0 g) with treatments by activated carbon from plantain ripe peel, plantain stalk while commercial activated carbon served as control. Batch experiment was used in determining the adsorption isotherms of the adsorbents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Langmuir and Freundlich models and compared with the national standards for industrial effluent. Results: Means of pH, conductivity, TDS, Pb and Cr of the effluent sample were: 2.0±0.2, 2164.7±0.6 μs cm–1, 895.0±0.0, 31.3±0.0 and 13.5±0.0 mg L–1, respectively. The highest quantities of Pb and Cr were removed at pH10 for Pb (94.97 and 68.02%). However, optimum dosage occurred at 1.5 g for Pb (96.61%) and 2.0 g for Cr (58.91%). The adsorbents showed satisfactory fits to the adsorption isotherm models. Conclusion: Adsorbents had ability to remove the lead and chromium from effluent generated from battery recycling plant with plantain ripe peel having the highest adsorption capacity. Treatment of effluent with plantain wastes should be encouraged in battery recycling plant to promote public health safety and enhance effective waste management.