Activated carbons are produced from Algerian apple waste (peel and pulp) by microwave activation under N2. The effect of activation method on textural and chemical surface properties of carbon materials and activated carbons produced are studied. The best prepared activated carbon was utilized for the removal of cadmium from wastewater and the adsorption data was correlated to Langmuir and Freundlich models. Experimental results showed that microwave radiation time and microwave power have significant effects on the activated carbons properties. The percentage yield decreases with increase of carbonization temperature and microwave power. The best microporous activated carbon (surface area of 443 m2/g, micropore area of 339 m2/g and microporous volume of 0.175 cm3/g) was obtained by carbonization at 800 °C and microwave activation under microwave radiation time of 10 min and microwave power of 400W. Characterization results by N2 adsorption-desorption at -196°C show the predominance of a microporous character of the obtained activated carbons. FTIR results shows that different oxygen-containing functional groups are found in the raw material while aromatic structures are developed after carbonisation and activation. This activated carbon has been found to be an efficient material for cadmium removal from wastewater and the adsorption data fitted better to the Langmuir isotherm model.