The resource utilization of industrial solid waste has become a hot issue worldwide. Composites of biochar with metal-containing solid wastes (MCSWs) can not only improve the adsorption performance, but also reduce the cost of modification and promote the recycling of waste resources. Thus, the synthesis and applications of biochar composites modified by MCSWs have been attracting increasing attention. However, different MCSWs may result in metal-containing solid waste/biochar composites (MCSW-BCs) with various physicochemical properties and adsorption performance, causing distinct adsorption mechanisms and applications. Although a lot of researches have been carried out, it is still in infancy. In particular, the explanation on the adsorption mechanisms and influencing factors of pollutant onto MCSW-BCs are not comprehensive and clear enough. Therefore, a systematic review on fabrication and potential environmental applications of different MCSW-BCs is highly needed. Here we summarize the recent advances on the utilization of typical metal-containing solid wastes, preparation of MCSW-BCs, adsorption mechanisms and influencing factors of pollutants by MCSW-BCs as well as their environmental applications. Finally, comments and perspectives for future studies are proposed. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.