This paper describes the heavy metal contents of urban solid wastes generated in Hyderabad, India. The iron content (total and DTPA-extractable) was higher than that of other metals. Wastes contained higher concentrations of all heavy metals than are normally found in agricultural soils. The Cd/Zn ratio ranged from 0.7 to 1.7. Among the heavy metals, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn were relatively more available than Mn, Co, Cd, Cr and Fe, which were least available.