With the growing global interest in gold (Au), extensive research has focused on the development of adsorbents for Au recovery. However, most reported Au adsorbents are derived from petroleum-based polymers, which inevitably generate additional waste, and, thus, are unsustainable. Consequently, the development of Au adsorbents based on sustainable resources is highly desirable. Herein, we fabricate Au adsorbents by converting poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) waste plastics into porous beads via nonsolvent-induced phase separation, followed by chemical functionalization. The resultant beads efficiently and selectively adsorb Au in simulated and real-world leachate feed solutions. Their Au adsorption capacity exceeds that of many reported Au adsorbents. The Au adsorption mechanism of the beads is also clearly identified. This study offers a facile and sustainable route to fabricate high-performance Au adsorbents.