The metal binding capacity of Bacillus sp. FM1 isolated from soil irrigated with tannery effluent was assessed using synthetic metal solutions and tannery wastewater. Biosorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions using Bacillus was investigated as a function of pH, initial metal ion concentration and contact time. The optimum adsorption pH value observed for Cr(VI) and Cu(II) ions was 2 and 5, respectively. Metal ion uptake increased with increasing initial metal concentration but no significant difference was observed by increasing the time after 60 min. Maximum uptake capacity of chromium was estimated as 64.102 mg g(-1), and of copper to 78.125 mg g(-1). Equilibrium data were well described by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption relations. The presence of functional groups on the cell wall surface of the biomass that may interact with the metal ion was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The application of Bacillus to remove Cr(VI) and Cu(II) in tannery effluent revealed that the biomass was capable of removing both the metal ions. However, the biosorption performance was slightly lower compared to that of synthetic metal solutions. Several factors may be responsible for this difference. However, the most important factor appears to be the presence of other contaminants such as anions, organics, and other trace metals in the effluent.