Treads of scrap tires present low contents of inorganic fillers and a large amount of carbon black. In this work, this material was treated with potassium hydroxide and zinc chloride followed by pyrolysis at 500 and 700 °C. The ability to remove methylene blue and methyl orange were investigated under environmental conditions of pH and concentration. Carbons obtained with KOH at 700 °C present superior adsorption capacity. A simulation of this process permitted the characterization of the gases which contributed to surface development. The obtained products present a mesoporous structure and narrow particle size distribution. The presence of contaminants originated from these carbons was investigated in the aqueous media. The absence of zinc and sulfur releasing and the excellent ability to remove organic dye make these materials useful in the treatment of waste water.