Electronic Waste Disposal in Zurich - Fast & Reliable

Old electronics collected from your door - TVs, laptops, fridges, and more - professionally recycled and fully compliant.

Electronic waste disposal in Zurich
  • Same-day & next-day collection available
  • Fixed price - no hidden charges
  • 100% insured - Specialclean Züri GmbH
  • SENS & Swico compliant recycling routing
  • Serving all 12 Kreise + Aargau, Luzern, Zug

Google Reviews

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(50+ Reviews)
K

Super schnelle und einfache Kommunikation. Speditiver Abtransport. Gerne wieder!

J

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E

Great service, easy communication and very professional. I highly recommend working with Disposal

K

Provided great service same day! Very happy and will use again!

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Why Electronics Can't Just Go in the Bin in Zurich

Getting rid of old or broken electronics in Zurich involves more than putting a device in the bin. Swiss law requires all electrical and electronic equipment to be disposed of separately - through licensed channels - to prevent hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium from entering landfills. As part of our broader disposal services in Zurich, we collect all categories of e-waste directly from your home, office, or building - with no need for you to transport anything.

Disposal costs in Zurich vary widely depending on the number of items, size, access, and whether you need a same-day service. Dumping electronics illegally in public spaces or in household bins carries fines of CHF 200-1'000+ under cantonal waste regulations. Our team provides a Fixpreis - a fixed, agreed price before we begin - so there are no surprises on collection day. During peak periods (January to March for tenant moves, May to June for renovations), demand rises sharply; requesting a quote at least 2-3 days ahead is advisable.

We work with households, landlords, SMEs, and property managers across all 12 Zürich Kreise and the surrounding cantons. Whether you have one old laptop or an entire office of IT equipment, we scale the service to your exact needs. A WhatsApp photo and postal code are all we need to provide a same-day quote.

What Counts as Electronic Waste in Zurich?

In Switzerland, Elektroschrott (e-waste or WEEE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) covers any device that requires electricity to function - whether mains-powered, battery-powered, or rechargeable. Swiss disposal law (USG / VVEA) and the EU-aligned WEEE framework both prohibit disposal of these items in general household waste.

An important mechanism to understand is the VRB (Vorgezogene Recyclingbeiträge) - a pre-paid recycling levy included in the purchase price of most electronics sold in Switzerland. This means many items can be dropped off for free at authorised SENS or Swico collection points. However, if you need home collection, carry-out from upper floors, or bulk removal, a professional pick-up service applies.

Item Type Approx. Weight ERZ Mobile Recyclinghof Eligible? disposal.ch Handles?
Flat-screen TV (42"-65") 8-25 kg Yes (under 40 kg) Yes - incl. floor carry
CRT Television (old box TV) 20-40 kg Borderline - check weight Yes
Desktop computer + monitor 5-20 kg Yes Yes
Laptop / notebook 1-3 kg Yes Yes
Fridge / Freezer 30-120 kg No - refrigerant gas, ChemRRV rules Yes - certified handling
Washing machine / Dryer 50-100 kg No - over 40 kg limit Yes
Dishwasher 40-60 kg Borderline Yes
Microwave / Small appliances 1-25 kg Yes Yes
Printer / Copier 5-30 kg Yes (under 40 kg) Yes
Smartphone / Tablet Under 1 kg Yes - SENS point (free) Yes (with other items)
Power tools (drills, saws) 2-15 kg Yes Yes
Extension cables / chargers Under 5 kg Yes Yes - any quantity
ERZ Mobile Recyclinghof rule: single items must weigh under 40 kg and measure under 2.5 m. Items exceeding these limits - or requiring floor carry - require a professional collection service.

E-Waste Items & Types We Handle

01

TVs, Monitors & Display Screens

Flat-screen TVs - whether LCD, LED, or OLED - contain capacitors and backlighting components that require specialist disassembly before recycling. Older CRT (cathode ray tube) televisions are particularly heavy and contain lead-oxide glass; these must not enter landfill under Swiss law. We carry all screen types from any floor and route them directly through SENS eRecycling for compliant processing. For other large household items being cleared at the same time, our bulky waste disposal service can be combined with your e-waste pick-up in a single visit.

02

Laptops, Computers & IT Equipment

Personal computers, notebooks, servers, printers, scanners, and networking equipment are routed through Swico Recycling - the Swiss IT industry body responsible for professional e-waste management for this equipment category. Swico-compliant processing ensures hard drives, circuit boards, and rare earth metals are recovered or safely neutralised. If you are clearing an office alongside IT equipment, our furniture disposal service covers desks and shelving in the same request.

03

Fridges, Freezers & Cooling Appliances

Refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerant gases (Kältemittel) regulated under ChemRRV (Swiss Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance). These gases must be extracted by a certified technician before the unit is crushed or shredded. We handle fridge disposal through certified partners equipped for safe refrigerant recovery. This is one of the most regulated disposal tasks in Switzerland - it is not suitable for ERZ kerbside or Recyclinghof drop-off.

04

Washing Machines, Dryers & Large White Goods

At 50-100 kg, washing machines and tumble dryers exceed the ERZ mobile Recyclinghof weight limit of 40 kg and require professional collection. Our team disassembles drum units where needed for staircase access. These items are rich in recoverable steel, copper wiring, and motor components - all fully separated at the recycling facility. If combined with a full clearance of kitchen appliances, see our kitchen items disposal page for a combined quote.

05

Small Appliances - Kettles, Toasters, Vacuum Cleaners

Small household appliances account for a significant proportion of residential e-waste. Many of these items are eligible for free SENS drop-off at retail collection points - however, if you have a batch of items (a full kitchen clearance, for example), home collection is more practical. We accept any quantity and bundle these with other disposal work. For situations where appliances are mixed with old flooring or textiles, our carpet disposal and mattress disposal services can be scheduled in the same visit.

06

Smartphones, Tablets & Wearables

Mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches contain lithium batteries that must not enter general waste under Swiss regulations. The VRB levy prepaid at purchase entitles owners to free drop-off at any authorised retailer (Interdiscount, MediaMarkt, etc.) or SENS point. We include mobile devices at no extra charge when collecting alongside other equipment - particularly useful during office or flat clearances.

07

Power Tools & Miscellaneous Electronics

Drills, circular saws, angle grinders, and garden power tools are classified as WEEE and cannot go in household bins. We collect these alongside any other e-waste or bulky items. Where a clearance involves old timber and tools together, our wood disposal service can cover any accompanying timber or shelving in the same request.

How It Works (4 Steps)

  1. 1

    Send us a WhatsApp message or fill in the quote form - include photos and your postcode. We respond within the hour during business hours.

  2. 2

    Receive a fixed price (Fixpreis) - no hidden charges, no per-floor surprises at the door. Accept via WhatsApp or call.

  3. 3

    Our insured team arrives at the agreed time, carries all e-waste items from your flat or premises, and loads them securely.

  4. 4

    Your e-waste is transported to the appropriate licensed facility - SENS for household electronics, Swico for IT equipment, and certified specialists for refrigerant-containing units.

disposal.ch vs ERZ: Which Should You Choose?

Factor disposal.ch ERZ (official city service)
Cost Fixed price from CHF 79, depending on volume Free at Recyclinghof (drop-off only)
Collection method Door-to-door, floor carry-out included Kerbside - you must bring items to the kerb or Recyclinghof
Same-day availability Yes - on request No - 3+ working days' notice required
Item weight limit No limit - we handle fridges, washers (100 kg+) 40 kg per item at Mobile Recyclinghof
Item size limit No limit - large CRT TVs accepted 2.5 m max length at Mobile Recyclinghof
Refrigerant-gas items Yes - certified ChemRRV partners Not via kerbside - specialist required
IT equipment routing Swico-compliant Recyclinghof accepts, but the routing is not specified
Request method WhatsApp or online form Phone only - specified call-back times
Languages EN + DE + multilingual via WhatsApp German is only on most channels
Combination service E-waste + furniture + clearance + cleaning Disposal only
Honest recommendation: If you have just one small item (a laptop, a kettle, a phone) and you can transport it yourself, the free SENS drop-off at your nearest retailer or ERZ Recyclinghof is the better option. Our service is designed for multi-item collections, large or heavy appliances, upper-floor carry-out, or same-day needs.

Common Challenges We Solve

01

No Lift - Upper-Floor Collection

Many Zürich apartments have no lift, particularly in Kreise 4, 5, and 6. Carrying a 120 kg fridge or a 40 kg CRT television down multiple flights of stairs is not safe without proper equipment and at least two trained staff. We carry all items regardless of floor - with a floor surcharge of CHF 5-10 per floor, confirmed in your quote. No surprises on arrival.

02

Renovation - Mixed Disposal Needs

Kitchen and bathroom renovations typically generate a combination of e-waste (old appliances), bulky waste (cabinets, shelving), and flooring materials. Rather than arranging three separate services, we handle all categories in one visit. Our carpet disposal service can be added to your e-waste request at no extra travel cost.

03

Data Security - IT Equipment Disposal

Hard drives and solid-state drives from laptops, desktops, and servers contain personal or commercially sensitive data. Before handing devices to any disposal service, we strongly recommend physical data erasure or drive destruction. We can refer you to a specialist data wiping service if needed, or collect devices with drives already removed. Our Swico-routing ensures IT equipment is handled by certified recyclers - not unregistered traders.

04

Bereavement - Full Property Clearance

When clearing a property following a bereavement, electronics are often mixed with furniture, clothing, and personal effects across multiple rooms. We work sensitively and systematically, separating e-waste for proper recycling, furniture for relevant disposal channels, and leaving the property in a clean, orderly state. For a full property clearance, including all item types, see our apartment clearance service.

05

Move-Out Deadline Pressure

The January-to-March period sees the highest volume of flat moves in Zürich. If you have a fixed handover date and need electronics removed quickly, our same-day and next-day collection means you can clear the property without missing your deadline. We also carry items to the kerb and leave the space besenrein (broom-clean) as standard.

What Happens After Collection

Every item we collect is routed to a licensed recycling or processing facility. Below is the material routing table for our e-waste collections.

Item Category Recycling Body / Facility What Happens
Household electronics (TVs, small appliances) SENS eRecycling - schweizweit licensed Dismantled for precious metal recovery, plastics separated, hazardous components isolated
IT equipment (laptops, PCs, printers, servers) Swico Recycling - IT industry body Hard drives shredded, circuit boards smelted for copper/gold, plastics granulated
Fridges & cooling units Certified ChemRRV partner facility Refrigerant gases extracted, compressor oils drained, steel and copper smelted
CRT televisions (cathode ray tube) Specialist glass-processing facility Lead-oxide glass separated from screen glass, processed to prevent soil contamination
Batteries & accumulators INOBAT / local battery collection Lithium, nickel, and lead acid were separated and chemically neutralised
Residual mixed e-waste (cables, chargers) Kehrichtverwertungsanlage Hagenholz (KVA) Non-recyclable components incinerated for energy recovery; metals recovered from ash
Recoverable metals (copper, aluminium, steel) Swiss metal smelters Re-entered into the manufacturing supply chain - circular economy routing

Disposal + Cleaning: One Request

Once electronics and other items have been removed, many customers need a thorough clean before handing back keys or receiving a new tenant. Through our sister company, zuericlean.com, we can arrange professional end-of-tenancy, deep, or post-renovation cleaning as part of the same request. A single WhatsApp message covers both e-waste disposal and cleaning - no need to coordinate with separate companies.

If your property requires a complete clear-out - not just electronics but all contents, including furniture, textiles, and general waste - our overall clearance service handles everything in one coordinated visit. We provide a single Fixpreis covering clearance, disposal, and cleaning together.

Why Choose disposal.ch for E-Waste Disposal?

USP What It Means For You
Fixed price (Fixpreis) - always You see the full cost before we arrive. No floor surcharge surprises, no "extra items" charges on the day.
100% insured All our teams operate under full liability insurance through Specialclean Züri GmbH.
SENS & Swico compliant routing Your e-waste goes to the correct licensed recycling body - household items via SENS, IT via Swico.
ChemRRV certified for fridges Refrigerant gases extracted by certified partners - legally required and fully handled.
Same-day availability Request by midday for afternoon collection in most Zürich Kreise - useful for move-out deadlines.
Bilingual service - EN + DE Our team and our quote process work in both English and German - no language barrier for expats.
Combined disposal + cleaning No other Zürich disposal company offers e-waste removal + end-of-tenancy cleaning in one request.
Google Reviews 5.0 (37+ reviews) Verified customer feedback - read our reviews on Google before you request a quote.

Service Area

Zürich City (all 12 Kreise): Kreis 1 (Altstadt / City Centre), Kreis 2 (Wollishofen), Kreis 3 (Wiedikon), Kreis 4 (Langstrasse / Aussersihl), Kreis 5 (Gewerbeschule), Kreis 6 (Unterstrass), Kreis 7 (Fluntern / Witikon), Kreis 8 (Riesbach), Kreis 9 (Albisrieden), Kreis 10 (Wipkingen), Kreis 11 (Oerlikon / Schwamendingen), Kreis 12 (Hirzenbach).

Extended Zürich: Winterthur, Uster, Dübendorf, Regensdorf, Schlieren, Dietikon, Horgen, Thalwil, Küsnacht, Meilen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does electronic waste disposal cost in Zurich?

Prices start from CHF 79 for a single item collected from the ground floor. Larger volumes (a full kitchen of appliances) typically run CHF 229-299. A floor surcharge of CHF 5-10 per floor applies for carry-out above ground level, and this is always included in your Fixpreis - never added afterwards. Request a free quote via WhatsApp with a photo of your items.

What is the VRB, and does it mean my old electronics are free to recycle?

The VRB (Vorgezogene Recyclingbeiträge) is a pre-paid recycling levy included in the purchase price of electronics sold in Switzerland. It means drop-off at an authorised SENS or Swico collection point (retailers, Recyclinghof) is free of charge. However, if you need home collection, floor carry-out, or bulk removal, a professional service fee applies - because the VRB does not cover logistics.

Where can I drop off electronics for free in Zurich?

You can drop off most household electronics for free at any ERZ Recyclinghof, at participating retailers (MediaMarkt, Interdiscount, Fust), or at a SENS eRecycling collection point. The ERZ mobile Recyclinghof visits different Kreise on a rotating basis. Single items must weigh under 40 kg and measure under 2.5 m. For items above these limits - or if you cannot transport them - a paid collection service is required.

Can you collect a fridge or a washing machine from an upstairs flat?

Yes. We regularly collect fridges (up to 120 kg) and washing machines (up to 100 kg) from upper floors with no lift. A floor surcharge of CHF 5-10 per floor applies and is included in your quoted Fixpreis. Fridges containing refrigerant gas are handled by our ChemRRV-certified partners - this is a legal requirement in Switzerland.

What is the difference between SENS and Swico recycling?

SENS eRecycling manages collection and recycling for household electronics - TVs, fridges, small appliances, and tools. Swico handles IT and office equipment - computers, laptops, printers, servers, phones. Both operate under the VRB framework. When we collect your e-waste, we route each item to the appropriate body automatically - you do not need to separate or label anything.

How should I handle data on hard drives before disposal?

We strongly recommend physically erasing or destroying hard drives before handing any device to any disposal service. Software-only deletion is not sufficient for sensitive data. You can remove the drive yourself, use a certified data wiping service, or ask us to refer you to a specialist. We collect computers with drives already removed without any issue, and our Swico-routing ensures remaining components are handled by certified recyclers.

Do you dispose of electronics for businesses and offices?

Yes. We handle IT clearances for SMEs, offices, and commercial properties - including batches of 10-50+ devices. We can provide a basic inventory list on request and route all IT equipment through Swico for compliant processing. For a complete office clear-out, including furniture and shelving, our combined quote covers all item types in one visit.

Can I request e-waste disposal together with a flat clearance and cleaning?

Yes - and this is one of our most popular combinations. We collect all e-waste and other bulky items, then our sister company zuericlean.com completes the end-of-tenancy or post-clearance clean in the same time window. Request a combined quote via WhatsApp with your address, postcode, and a description or photos of what needs to go.

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