A method is disclosed for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal from waste streams and with minimal amounts of unprocessed solids and sludge remaining in the environment. Metals such as chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, aluminum, tin; and the like are removed and recovered from the waste streams with at least 95% removal and other metals and compounds, such as antimony, sulfur, and selenium are removed and recovered from waste streams with at least 50% removal. The method employs a unique complexing agent comprising a carbamate compound and an alkali metal hydroxide which facilitates the formation of the metals into ionic metal particles enabling them to be readily separated, removed and recovered. The method disclosed is also applicable to recover metals and other compounds originating from different waste sources such as existing and abandoned mines, contaminated ground water, standing contaminated water, and waste streams having a high solids content as well as treating water intended for potable use, recovering metals and other compounds from polluted or contaminated air, and the like. In addition, the disclosed method can be used to separate and recover precious and non-precious metals present in waste waters resulting from steel manufacturing, battery and chemical manufacturing, printed circuit board waste, titanium pickle operations, nickel and chrome plating operations, electroless nickel operations, X-ray and photographic waste, aluminum anodizing operations, construction and demolition landfill leaches, and the like. The method of the invention can also be used to recover metals from highly acidic waste streams or other process liquids without adjusting the pH of said streams or liquids and to separate and recover metals from otherwise unusable hazardous materials. Further, the method of the invention can be utilized in a multi-stage recovery system to selectively separate and recover targeted metals at even higher efficiencies.