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The reuse of waste papers by conversion into valuable carbon materials has received considerable attention for diverse applications such as energy storage and water purification. However, traditional methods for converting waste papers into materials with suitable properties for specific applications are often complex and ineffective, involving consecutive carbonization and activation steps. Herein, we propose a simple one-step microwave (MW)-assisted synthesis for preparing waste paper-derived porous carbons (WPCs) for energy storage and water purification. Through a 30-min synthesis, WPCs with graphitic structure and high specific surface area were successfully produced. The fabricated WPCs exhibited outstanding charge storage capability with a maximum specific capacitance of 237.7 F g−1. Additionally, the WPC demonstrates a high removal efficiency for various dyes, achieving a maximum removal efficiency of 95.0% for methylene blue. The developed one-step MW synthesis not only enables the production of porous carbon from waste paper, but also offers a viable approach to address solid waste management challenges while simultaneously yielding valuable materials. [Display omitted] • Waste paper-derived porous carbons were synthesized by one-step microwave synthesis. • Within 30-min MW synthesis, graphitic and high-surface area WPCs were produced. • WPC exhibits outstanding electrochemical capacitance of 237.7 F g−1. • WPC exhibits high removal of various dyes, with maximum of 95.0% for methylene blue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]