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In this study, almond shell waste (ASW) as filling material, pure (ER), and waste polystyrene modified bisphenol-A type epoxy resin (ER-PS) were used to obtain biobased composite materials. The modification of ASW was carried out with NaOH and linoleic acid (LnA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Particle size distribution analyses were used in the characterization of ASW. Composites were prepared at filling ratios of 10-20-30-40-50% by mass using the casting technique. The morphology of the composites was characterized by SEM. The effects of epoxy matrix type and BK filling ratio on composites' mechanical, thermal, and water sorption properties were investigated. Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity (e-modulus) values of ERPS/ASW composites were lower, and tensile elongation values were higher than ER/ASW composites. The highest tensile strength values of 95-129 MPa were obtained for LnA modified ASW composites. The order of the tensile strength of the prepared ER matrix composites according to the filler type is: linoleic acid-modified ASW (LnA-ASW)>NaOH treated ASW (NaOH-ASW) > unmodified ASW. The most suitable ASW ratio was found as 30% by mass. e-modulus values of all modified ASW composites were higher than the epoxy matrix. According to the hardness test results, there was no significant difference between the composites. The water sorption of the composites increased depending on the ASW ratio and had a weakening effect on the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]