A star-shaped, hydrazide-functionalized polymer (S-PAcH) was developed as a highly efficient and selective adsorbent for recovering and recycling precious metals (PMs) such as gold (Au), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt). Unlike conventional amine-functionalized polymers, S-PAcH exhibits superior PM adsorption capacity, selectivity, and kinetics due to its unique structure and chemical properties. The hydrazide groups in S-PAcH are highly reducible, enabling the reduction of PM ions to metal nanoparticles (NPs), which enhances PM adsorption and facilitates the formation of large, stable precipitates that can be easily collected. S-PAcH can be regenerated for reuse, refined into high-purity PMs, or directly utilized as a catalyst for dye reduction, demonstrating its practical feasibility and environmental benefits. S-PAcH was synthesized by attaching hydrazine to a β-cyclodextrin core, followed by polymerization to form a star-shaped structure. The polymer exhibits excellent solubility in water and a high positive charge at low pH, which enhances its ability to adsorb PM ions. Upon contact with PM-containing solutions, S-PAcH rapidly reduces PM ions to NPs, leading to the formation of large, stable precipitates. This process is facilitated by the star-shaped architecture of S-PAcH, which promotes intra/intermolecular chain fusion and enhances PM adsorption. The PM adsorption mechanism of S-PAcH involves electrostatic interactions, ion-exchange, and chelation, followed by reduction of PM ions to NPs. The resulting precipitates can be easily collected and processed to recover high-purity PMs. S-PAcH also demonstrates excellent selectivity for PMs over other metal ions, making it suitable for applications in e-waste recycling, spent catalyst recovery, and wastewater treatment. The polymer's high reduction capability and effective adsorption mechanism enable rapid and efficient PM recovery, with high adsorption capacities and selectivity compared to commercial amine polymers and reducing agents. S-PAcH was tested with simulated and real-world feed solutions, including leachates from computer central processing units (CPU) and spent catalysts. It achieved high recovery efficiencies for Au, Pd, and Pt, demonstrating its effectiveness in recovering PMs from complex matrices. The polymer can be regenerated through desorption using agents such as thiourea and FeCl₃, enabling repeated use and reducing waste. S-PAcH's ability to adsorb PMs as reduced NPs also allows it to be directly used as a catalyst for dye reduction, enhancing its value-added applications. The study highlights the potential of S-PAcH as a sustainable and efficient adsorbent for PM recovery, with applications in environmental protection and resource recovery. Its unique structure and chemical properties make it a promising candidate forA star-shaped, hydrazide-functionalized polymer (S-PAcH) was developed as a highly efficient and selective adsorbent for recovering and recycling precious metals (PMs) such as gold (Au), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt). Unlike conventional amine-functionalized polymers, S-PAcH exhibits superior PM adsorption capacity, selectivity, and kinetics due to its unique structure and chemical properties. The hydrazide groups in S-PAcH are highly reducible, enabling the reduction of PM ions to metal nanoparticles (NPs), which enhances PM adsorption and facilitates the formation of large, stable precipitates that can be easily collected. S-PAcH can be regenerated for reuse, refined into high-purity PMs, or directly utilized as a catalyst for dye reduction, demonstrating its practical feasibility and environmental benefits. S-PAcH was synthesized by attaching hydrazine to a β-cyclodextrin core, followed by polymerization to form a star-shaped structure. The polymer exhibits excellent solubility in water and a high positive charge at low pH, which enhances its ability to adsorb PM ions. Upon contact with PM-containing solutions, S-PAcH rapidly reduces PM ions to NPs, leading to the formation of large, stable precipitates. This process is facilitated by the star-shaped architecture of S-PAcH, which promotes intra/intermolecular chain fusion and enhances PM adsorption. The PM adsorption mechanism of S-PAcH involves electrostatic interactions, ion-exchange, and chelation, followed by reduction of PM ions to NPs. The resulting precipitates can be easily collected and processed to recover high-purity PMs. S-PAcH also demonstrates excellent selectivity for PMs over other metal ions, making it suitable for applications in e-waste recycling, spent catalyst recovery, and wastewater treatment. The polymer's high reduction capability and effective adsorption mechanism enable rapid and efficient PM recovery, with high adsorption capacities and selectivity compared to commercial amine polymers and reducing agents. S-PAcH was tested with simulated and real-world feed solutions, including leachates from computer central processing units (CPU) and spent catalysts. It achieved high recovery efficiencies for Au, Pd, and Pt, demonstrating its effectiveness in recovering PMs from complex matrices. The polymer can be regenerated through desorption using agents such as thiourea and FeCl₃, enabling repeated use and reducing waste. S-PAcH's ability to adsorb PMs as reduced NPs also allows it to be directly used as a catalyst for dye reduction, enhancing its value-added applications. The study highlights the potential of S-PAcH as a sustainable and efficient adsorbent for PM recovery, with applications in environmental protection and resource recovery. Its unique structure and chemical properties make it a promising candidate for