Disposing of old furniture in Zürich is simpler than most people expect, if you use the right service. Whether you need to clear a single wardrobe from a third-floor flat or empty an entire property before a handover, our team at disposal.ch collects everything directly from your home. Get a fixed price, choose a date, and we handle the rest.
Old furniture builds up quickly: a renovation leaves behind timber frames, an international move leaves sofas that won't fit in the new place, and a tenancy end means every item must leave by a hard deadline. As part of our broader disposal services in Zurich, we collect furniture of all sizes directly from your door, no Sperrgutmarke required, no self-transport to a Recyclinghof.
Zürich has strict rules about what counts as bulky waste and how it must be handled. The ERZ (Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich) system requires a Sperrgutmarke, a CHF 20 sticker, for kerbside collection, with a maximum of 1m³ per sticker and no collection from inside the building. For anyone on an upper floor, in a building without a lift, or managing a larger volume of items, professional disposal is the practical answer.
Illegal dumping in Zürich carries fines of CHF 200-1'000+ under cantonal and city ordinances. We remove that risk entirely. Every item we collect is processed through licensed facilities, with transparent pricing and no surprises.
Not all large items qualify as standard household waste. Here is a practical guide to what counts as furniture or bulky waste, whether ERZ can collect it free of charge, and when disposal.ch is the right choice.
| Item | Approx. Weight | ERZ Sperrgutmarke? | disposal.ch Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single sofa / 2-seater | 40-80 kg | Yes, 1 sticker (kerbside) | Yes, if the upper floor or the urgent |
| 3-seater sofa or corner sofa | 80-150 kg | Yes, 1-2 stickers (kerbside) | Yes, heavy, bulky, floor access needed |
| Double wardrobe (flat-pack) | 40-90 kg | Yes, 1 sticker (kerbside) | Yes, dismantling is usually required |
| Solid wood wardrobe (full) | 100-200 kg | 2 stickers (kerbside) | Strongly recommended, weight and size |
| Dining table + 4 chairs | 30-80 kg | 1 sticker (kerbside) | Yes, if multiple floors or no lift |
| Mattress (double) | 20-40 kg | 1 sticker (kerbside) | Yes, mattresses need certified recycling |
| Bookshelf/cabinet | 20-60 kg | 1 sticker (kerbside) | Optional, depends on the floor and volume |
| Kitchen cabinets (full set) | 80-180 kg | 2+ stickers (kerbside) | Yes, volume and fixture removal needed |
| Office desk + pedestal | 30-80 kg | 1 sticker (kerbside) | Yes, often from upper floors |
| Full room clearance (mixed) | 200-500+ kg | Multiple stickers + coordination | Strongly recommended |
Sofas are among the most difficult items to dispose of on one's own in Zürich. They are heavy, bulky, and cannot go in a Züri-Sack. We collect all sizes, from single armchairs to L-shaped corner sofas, carrying them downstairs with furniture blankets to protect walls and bannisters. The foam, fabric, and timber frames are separated and sent to appropriate recycling streams. For dedicated guidance on sofa removal, see our sofa disposal page.
Full-height wardrobes are one of the most common requests we receive. Solid-wood pieces can weigh over 200 kg. Our team dismantles where needed, carries items floor by floor, and disposes of all materials. Wood panels go to wood recycling, and metal fittings to metal recycling. No item is too large.
Mattresses cannot be disposed of through standard kerbside collections in most Zürich districts without a Sperrgutmarke. More importantly, they contain materials, polyurethane foam, steel springs, and fire-resistant fabric, which require separation for certified recycling. We collect all sizes and transport them to licensed processing facilities. Full details are on our mattress disposal page.
Dining sets, coffee tables, bookshelves, and TV units are handled as standard furniture disposal items. We disassemble flat-pack pieces on-site if needed and bundle all transport materials. Items in usable condition are passed to donation networks where possible.
Fitted kitchen units require more than just lifting; hinges, brackets, and fixture points need to be carefully removed to avoid damage to walls and floors. We handle full kitchen strip-outs as part of our kitchen items disposal service, including appliances left behind.
Solid-wood pieces, old timber shelving, and furniture made of treated wood all require specific disposal routes in Zürich. Untreated wood goes to wood chipping or biomass energy; treated or painted wood is classified differently under VVEA and must go through licensed channels. See our wood disposal page for full details.
If you have multiple items across several rooms, a mix of sofas, wardrobes, tables, mattresses, and miscellaneous household items, this falls under a full clearance rather than individual piece disposal. For large-volume moves, see our bulky waste disposal page, or request a combined clearance quote.
Send photos via WhatsApp or the booking form. We review item types, floor access, and approximate weight. A fixed price is confirmed within hours, no vague estimates, no post-collection surprises.
Confirm your date. Choose a slot that suits you, same-day, next-day, or a planned date for your move. We operate across Zürich and the surrounding cantons seven days a week.
We arrive and carry everything out. Our team handles the lifting, dismantling, and loading. We protect your floors, walls, and lift door during removal. No mess is left behind.
Responsible disposal and recycling. Each item type is routed to the correct licensed facility. We document disposal for customers who need confirmation (common for tenancy handover requirements).
| Criteria | ERZ Sperrgutmarke | ERZ Recyclinghof (drop-off) | disposal.ch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | CHF 20 per sticker (1m³ each) | Free | From CHF 79 (fixed price) |
| Collection from inside the property | No, kerbside only | No, self-transport required | Yes , door-to-door, any floor |
| Upper floor access | Not available | Not available | Yes, CHF 5-10/floor surcharge |
| Same-day available | No, scheduled only | Opening hours only | Yes, subject to availability |
| Dismantling included | No | No | Yes, included in price |
| Volume limit | 1m³ per sticker | No limit (own transport) | No limit |
| Booking channel | Online / phone (ERZ) | Walk-in at Recyclinghof | WhatsApp / online form |
| Regulatory compliance | Yes | Yes | Yes, USG / VVEA compliant |
Most Zürich apartment buildings in Kreise 1-5 were built before lifts were standard. Moving a wardrobe or corner sofa down narrow stone staircases requires proper equipment, a two-person team, and protective materials. We carry this out safely and include the floor cost transparently in your fixed price.
Zürich tenancy end dates are typically 31 March, 30 June, or 30 September. We see high demand in the two weeks before these dates, particularly January through March for the March quarter-end. Booking in advance is advisable. Same-day service is available but subject to capacity.
Clearing a property after a bereavement is one of the most sensitive tasks we handle. Items often have personal significance, and decisions about what to keep, donate, or dispose of take time. We work at your pace and treat every item with respect. For a full property clearance in this situation, our apartment clearance service covers the entire process from start to finish.
It is not uncommon to find furniture abandoned in a flat, cellar, or attic by a previous tenant. As the current tenant or property manager, you are liable for proper disposal under Swiss waste law. We collect and dispose of all abandoned items quickly and with full documentation. If there are storage items too, our basement clearance team can handle both together.
Kitchen strip-outs, fitted wardrobes, old flooring, and bathroom furniture all fall under renovation waste. We collect these items alongside standard furniture; there is no need for a separate booking. May and June see peak renovation demand in Zürich; early booking is recommended.
Every item is assessed at collection for potential donation, recycling, or regulated disposal. Nothing is taken to the landfill unnecessarily.
| Item Type | Material | Routing / Facility | Regulatory Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upholstered furniture (sofa, armchair) | Foam, fabric, timber, springs | Material separation → wood recycling, foam/fabric to licensed incinerator | ERZ / VVEA |
| Mattresses | Steel springs, foam, fire fabric | Certified mattress recycling or Kehrichtverwertungsanlage Hagenholz | ERZ / VVEA |
| Solid wood furniture | Untreated wood | Wood chipping or biomass energy | ERZ |
| Treated/painted wood furniture | Varnish, laminate, MDF | Kehrichtverwertungsanlage Hagenholz (waste-to-energy) | ERZ / VVEA |
| Metal fittings, frames | Steel, aluminium | Metal recycling | ERZ |
| Electrical components (motors, lights) | Mixed electronics | SENS-certified collection point | SENS / Swico |
| Reusable items (good condition) | Mixed | Donation to local social organisations | , |
Once furniture is removed, the exposed walls, floors, and built-in spaces often reveal marks, scratches, or dust that need to be addressed before a tenancy handover. Through our partner company Züriclean, we can arrange professional end-of-tenancy cleaning as part of the same booking, including the broom-clean (besenrein) standard required by most Zürich landlords.
If you are clearing an entire property, not just a few pieces of furniture, our overall clearance service combines disposal, clearance, and cleaning into a single coordinated visit. One team, one booking, one invoice.
| USP | What This Means for You |
|---|---|
| Fixed price confirmed before collection | No unexpected charges after the team arrives. Your price is agreed in writing via WhatsApp or email. |
| 100% insured partners | Every team member operates under full liability insurance. Any accidental wall or floor damage during removal is covered. |
| Door-to-door from any floor | We carry items from your floor, not just kerbside. No self-transport required. |
| Same-day available | Urgent move-out or unexpected collection need? We aim to confirm same-day slots within 2 hours of your request. |
| Bilingual service (EN / DE) | We communicate in English and German, practical for the large expat population in Zürich who don't speak Swiss-German. |
| Transparent material routing | We tell you exactly where your furniture goes after collection. Named facilities, not vague 'eco-friendly' statements. |
| Partner network for cleaning | Disposal and post-clearance cleaning are available together through zuericlean.com. One booking, one team. |
| Google Reviews 5.0 (37+ reviews) | Real customer reviews from Zürich residents, not imported testimonials. |
Kreis 1 (Altstadt, Rathaus), Kreis 2 (Enge, Wollishofen), Kreis 3 (Wiedikon, Sihlfeld), Kreis 4 (Langstrasse, Aussersihl), Kreis 5 (Gewerbeschule, Escher Wyss), Kreis 6 (Oberstrass, Unterstrass), Kreis 7 (Fluntern, Hirslanden, Witikon), Kreis 8 (Riesbach, Seefeld), Kreis 9 (Albisrieden, Altstetten), Kreis 10 (Höngg, Wipkingen), Kreis 11 (Oerlikon, Seebach, Schwamendingen), Kreis 12 (Saatlen, Schwamendingen-Mitte, Hirzenbach).
Winterthur, Uster, Dübendorf, Dietikon, Schlieren, Kloten, Bülach, Horgen, Thalwil, Küsnacht.
Kanton Zürich
Prices start from CHF 79 for a single sofa or wardrobe at ground level. Larger volumes, multiple floors, and dismantling requirements increase the price. A fixed quote is confirmed before collection after you share photos. Typical full-room clearances range from CHF 250-480.
ERZ kerbside collection uses a Sperrgutmarke (CHF 20 per 1m³) and requires you to place items at the kerb yourself. It is free or low-cost but does not include collection from inside the building. disposal.ch collects directly from your floor, handles dismantling, and removes any volume at a fixed price.
Yes. We carry items from any floor, including properties without a lift. A floor surcharge of CHF 5-10 per floor above ground level applies and is always stated in your quote before collection.
No. Our team dismantles wardrobes, bed frames, and other flat-pack furniture as part of the service. We bring the tools and protective materials needed for safe removal. You do not need to do anything in advance.
We collect all household and office furniture: sofas, armchairs, wardrobes, beds, dining tables, chairs, bookshelves, kitchen cabinets, office desks, and more. There is no restriction on material, wood, metal, upholstered, or mixed.
A Sperrgutmarke is a CHF 20 sticker issued by ERZ (Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich) that allows one cubic metre of bulky waste to be collected from the kerbside. You do not need one when booking disposal.ch; we handle all logistics and disposal licensing on your behalf.
Illegal furniture dumping in car parks, green spaces, or building corridors is an offence under Zürich cantonal law. Fines range from CHF 200 to CHF 1'000+ and liability falls on the property owner or tenant. disposal.ch provides legal, documented disposal that eliminates this risk.
Yes. If you need more than just furniture removal, for example, a full flat clearance before handover, we can combine furniture disposal, full overall clearance, and end-of-tenancy cleaning through zuericlean in a single coordinated booking. Contact us via WhatsApp (+41 76 413 6183) for a combined quote.
