In this paper, graphene-like carbon (KW-GO) extracted from kitchen waste (KW) is used to reduce the agglomeration of V 2 O 5 and improve the separation rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs from V 2 O 5. We found that the V 2 O 5 -KW-GO composite material (VKW-GO) could significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity and H 2 production rate under visible light irradiation compared to pure V 2 O 5. To analyze the composition and morphology of the materials, XRD, SEM, BET, UV–Vis, XPS, and Raman were measured. The results showed that the addition of KW-GO reduced the aggregation of V 2 O 5 powder. At the same time, the specific surface area of the composite sample increased providing more active sites for photocatalytic hydrogen production. In addition, the visible absorption range of the composite sample also increased. As a result, the hydrogen production rate of V 2 O 5 increased from 247.52 mol h−1 g−1 to 354.15 mol h−1 g−1. The method using V 2 O 5 and VKW-GO as a catalyst for H 2 production is innovative, and the conclusion may provide important theoretical guidance for photocatalytic hydrogen production. • Kitchen waste serves as an important source of graphene-like carbon (KW-GO). • KW-GO can reduce agglomeration and serve as a bridge for electron transfer. • The VKW-GO composite catalyst enhances H 2 production activity under visible light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]