Removal of chromium (III) from aqueous solution and tannery effluent by biomass waste, mainly Streptomyces sp.(MB2) generated from large-scale fermentation process was investigated. A series of batch experiments were conducted at different pH values, adsorbent dosage and initial chromium concentration. Maximum chromium removal capacities of Streptomyces sp.(MB2) biomass were 68.2% and 73.9% with corresponding equilibrium uptake of Cr (III) were 0.084 to 2.89 mg/gm and 0.17 to 4.5 Streptomyces sp.(MB2) mg/gm from aqueous solution and tannery effluent respectively with increasing Cr (III) concentration in batch mode. The adsorption parameters were determined using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms model. FTIR studies revealed involvement of C= C, C= O and O–H functional groups in binding of chromium. Such waste biomass from fermentation industry is a potential alternative source of adsorbent for the removal of Cr (III) from aqueous solution as well as tannery effluent.