Polymer waste materials, instead of ending up in incineration plants, can better be recycled into activated carbon. The properties of polyacrylonitrile, polyethyleneterephthalate and cellulose based carbons prepared by steam activation are reported in this paper. Microscopic (SEM, STM or AFM), SAXS and various adsorption techniques have been applied to describe the matrix and surface characteristics. These polymer based carbons can be characterized by a well developed pore structure. Their specific surface area (S_BET) proved to be 540–1250m²/g. Their surface is polar enough to adsorb phenol from aqueous solution, resembling commercial activated carbon which is sold for waste water treatment.