The separation of both emulsified and immiscible oil/water mixtures using materials with special wetting behavior (hydrophobic-oleophilic or hydrophilic-oleophobic and switchable wettability) has attracted significant research attention in recent years. Among various materials with special wetting behavior, waste material-mediated surfaces have gained more interest because of their various advantages such as fluorine-free and specific surface structural properties, vast availability, flexibility in chemical/structural modification to improve the desired surface properties and eco-friendly nature. This review article describes the oil/water separation application by the waste materials-based special wettable surfaces from different resources. The special wettable surfaces preparation method, treatment effect, efficiency and oil/water separation mechanism are discussed. Moreover, unresolved issues and potential challenges associated with all waste-derived special wettable materials have been highlighted for future development.