Paracetamol removal by Kon-Tiki kiln-derived biochar and activated carbons

•A carbon-rich (81.8 %) biochar was obtained in a Kon-Tiki kiln.•After activation, porous carbons with BET areas as high as 845 m2/g were obtained.•The inexpensive biochar removed 95 % of paracetamol in 3 days.•A derived activated carbon removed 95 % of paracetamol in only 5 h.•Further removal improvement is possible by adjusting the biochar/water ratio.