Abstract: The pollutants in tannery wastewater are mainly composed of chromium ions, dyes, organic matters and inorganic salts. Tannery wastewater features high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and is difficult to be treated. In recent years, the adsorption method has been developed rapidly as a new method to treat tannery wastewater. This review summarizes the domestic and foreign adsorption materials used for wastewater treatment and their applications. In particular, the focus was paid on the green, eco-friendly and degradable adsorption materials, and their application potentials were prospected.