Corner sofa, sofa bed, or 3-seater - we collect, carry out, and recycle responsibly.
Getting rid of an old sofa in Zurich is often more involved than it first appears - particularly if it is heavy, located on an upper floor, or if there is no lift in the building. As part of our disposal services in Zurich, we collect your sofa directly from your home, carry it from any storey, and recycle it in line with Swiss waste regulations. You receive a written fixed price before we arrive - no hourly rates, no surprise invoices.
The ERZ (Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich) does offer a bulky waste collection - but it requires a Sperrgutmarke (approx. CHF 9 per item, max. 25 kg), a three working-day notice period, and the item placed kerbside by 7 am. Corner sofas, sofa beds, and most 3-seaters exceed the weight limit. And ERZ does not carry items out of flats. disposal.ch does.
A word of caution: illegal dumping in Zurich carries fines of CHF 200 to over CHF 1'000. Leaving a sofa in a public space, stairwell, or woodland is an offence under Swiss law. Booking a legitimate collection is simpler - and legal.
Not every upholstered item follows the same disposal route. Here is an overview of common types, typical weights, and whether ERZ or disposal.ch is the more practical option:
| Sofa type | Typical weight | ERZ bulky waste (max. 25 kg) | disposal.ch collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-seater sofa | 35-45 kg | ✘ Exceeds limit | ✓ Door-to-door collection |
| 3-seater sofa | 50-70 kg | ✘ Exceeds limit | ✓ Door-to-door collection |
| Corner sofa / L-shape | 90-130 kg | ✘ Exceeds the limit several times | ✓ Collection incl. disassembly if needed |
| Sofa bed (with mattress) | 60-90 kg | ✘ Exceeds limit | ✓ Collection incl. mattress |
| Electric recliner sofa | 60-100 kg | ✘ + WEEE regulation applies | ✓ SENS/Swico compliant disposal |
| Bean bag/floor cushion | 10-20 kg | ✓ Possible if ≤25 kg | ✓ Also collectible |
| Lounge suite (sofa + chairs) | 100-180 kg total | ✘ Multiple tags required | ✓ Full collection in one visit |
Honest note: A single bean bag under 25 kg can be dropped free of charge at an ERZ Recyclinghof. For all other sofa types, our door-to-door collection saves you transport, Sperrgutmarke admin, and coordination time.
The most common sofa types in Zurich flats. They typically consist of a timber frame, polyurethane foam, steel springs, and a fabric or leather cover. All materials are separated before recycling. For full-flat clearances, including additional furniture, see our furniture disposal service.
Corner sofas typically weigh 90-130 kg and exceed the ERZ 25 kg limit several times over. Many can be partially disassembled - our team brings the necessary tools. Sections are carried down separately where the stairwell does not permit a whole piece.
Sofa beds contain a built-in mattress - usually foam or sprung. Both the sofa body and the mattress are processed separately. The mattress follows the same recycling route as a freestanding mattress. Full details are on our mattress disposal page.
Sofas with a built-in electric motor (recliner or lie-flat function) are classified as WEEE (electronic waste) under Swiss law and must be collected through SENS and Swico. We handle this correctly - they do not go into the general waste stream. See our electronic waste disposal page for more details.
Bean bags contain EPS granules (expanded polystyrene) inside a textile shell. The filling is difficult to recycle and typically goes to thermal recovery at Kehrichtverwertungsanlage Hagenholz. For larger lounge suites combining sofas, chairs, and floor coverings, our carpet disposal service can be combined in a single visit.
Send a photo via WhatsApp or the online form: include the sofa type, location in your property, and which floor. We review and send a written fixed price within 1-3 hours.
Confirm the fixed price and choose a date: the price is binding. Same-day or next-day collection is available in most cases across Zurich.
Our team arrives on time: we carry the sofa from any floor - including cellars and loft spaces - protecting walls, floors, and door frames throughout.
Responsible disposal: timber, metal springs, foam, and fabric are separated and sent to the correct certified facilities. A disposal confirmation is available on request.
| Criterion | disposal.ch | ERZ bulky waste collection |
|---|---|---|
| Collection | From your home - any floor, any storey | Kerbside by 7 am - no carrying out of flat |
| Weight limit | No limit - 130 kg corner sofa, no problem | Max. 25 kg per item |
| Cost | Fixed price from CHF 80, depending on type and floor | Sperrgutmarke approx. CHF 9 per item |
| Notice period | Same-day available | Minimum 3 working days in advance |
| Corner sofa / multi-part | Disassembly included on request | The single-item limit is often exceeded |
| Electric sofa (WEEE) | SENS/Swico compliant collection | Not accepted in the bulky waste channel |
| Availability | 7 days/week, including weekends | Weekdays per ERZ schedule |
| Confirmation | Disposal confirmation on request | No individual confirmation issued |
Honest note: If your sofa weighs under 25 kg and you can transport it yourself, the free ERZ Recyclinghof drop-off is a perfectly good option. We say this openly. For corner sofas, sofa beds, upper-floor collections, and short-notice jobs, disposal.ch is the more practical choice.
One of our most common requests. Our team works daily in Zurich's older apartment buildings without lifts. We bring the right equipment, protect stairwells and door frames, and carry even large corner sofas down safely. The floor surcharge of CHF 5-10 per storey is always included in the written quote.
Clearing a flat after a bereavement requires care and discretion. Our team works calmly and methodically, coordinating with family members or estate representatives as needed. For a full apartment clearance following the loss of a loved one - including furniture, personal belongings, and coordination with the letting agent - we are here to take on the heavy lifting.
Between January and March and May and June - Zurich's peak periods for tenancy changes and renovations - demand for sofa collection rises sharply. We are available throughout these periods. Same-day or next-day collection is usually possible. Earlier booking is recommended during peak months.
Many Zurich lift cabins are too narrow for a modern 3-seater or corner sofa. Our team carries the sofa via the stairwell - with no additional charge beyond the stated floor surcharge. Modular or disassemblable sofas are taken apart section by section and carried down separately.
Every sofa collected by disposal.ch goes through a defined material routing process. Usable items are offered to the Brockenhaus (charity resale) first. Everything else is separated by material:
| Material | Disposal route | Standard / Body |
|---|---|---|
| Timber frame | Kehrichtverwertungsanlage Hagenholz (KVA) - thermal recovery | ERZ-compliant |
| Steel springs/metal | Certified scrap dealer, Zurich - circular recycling | USG / VVEA compliant |
| Polyurethane foam | KVA Hagenholz - thermal recovery | ERZ-compliant |
| Fabric/textile covers | Textile collection point or KVA if soiled | Donation-first principle |
| Electric motor (recliner) | SENS / Swico - VRB collection channel | SENS/Swico certified |
| Hazardous substances | Certified special waste contractor | ChemRRV compliant |
| Bean bag filling (EPS) | KVA Hagenholz - thermal recovery | ERZ-compliant |
If the sofa removal leaves marks on the floor or the property needs to be returned in a clean condition for a tenancy handover, our sister company zuericlean.com provides professional end-of-tenancy cleaning that can be added to the same booking. One point of contact, one fixed price, one visit.
Alternatively, our overall clearance service combines sofa removal, further furniture, appliances, and a final clean in a single comprehensive visit - ideal for flat handovers and estate situations.
| Feature | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Fixed price guarantee | Written quote before every job. No hourly rate. No additional invoice after. |
| Door-to-door collection from any floor | Includes cellar, loft, upper storeys. Floor surcharge CHF 5-10/storey - always in the quote. |
| 100% insured | Every job is fully covered by public liability insurance. |
| WEEE-compliant for electric sofas | Recliner sofas with motors are collected through SENS and Swico - not general waste. |
| Sustainable material routing | Timber, steel, foam, and textiles separated and sent to correct certified facilities. |
| Same-day availability | Collection today or tomorrow in most cases - including weekends. |
| Bilingual team | German and English - helpful for international residents navigating Swiss waste rules. |
Districts 1 to 12: Altstadt, Langstrasse, Wiedikon, Aussersihl, Oerlikon, Schwamendingen, Wollishofen, Altstetten, Höngg, Seebach and all remaining city districts.
Winterthur, Uster, Dübendorf, Dietikon, Schlieren, Regensdorf, Kloten, Bülach, Männedorf, Thalwil, Horgen, Adliswil.
Not sure whether we cover your area? Send us a WhatsApp, and we will confirm within a few hours.
Prices start from CHF 80 for a 2-seater on the ground floor. Larger sofas, upper floors, and electric components increase the price. You always receive a written fixed price before we arrive - no hourly rate, no surprise at the end.
No. The ERZ bulky waste service requires a Sperrgutmarke (approx. CHF 9 per item, max. 25 kg), three working days' notice, and the item placed kerbside by 7 am. Most sofa types exceed the 25 kg limit. ERZ does not carry items out of the property.
Yes. Corner sofas are disassembled on site where needed and carried down section by section. The floor surcharge of CHF 5-10 per storey is always included in the written quote. There is no weight limit at disposal.ch.
Usable sofas are offered to the Brockenhaus first. Others are separated by material: timber and foam go to Kehrichtverwertungsanlage Hagenholz, steel springs to a certified scrap dealer, and textiles to a collection point. Electric sofas go through SENS and Swico.
In most cases, we can collect on the same or the next day. Send us a photo via WhatsApp, and we will confirm availability within hours. During peak periods (January to March and May to June), we recommend booking a few days in advance.
No. We have no weight limit. Whether it is a 35 kg 2-seater or a 130 kg corner sofa, we collect it. This is the biggest practical difference from ERZ, which accepts a maximum of 25 kg per item in its bulky waste channel.
Yes. Through our sister company zuericlean.com, you can add a professional end-of-tenancy or post-clearance clean to the same booking. Both services are coordinated under one visit and one point of contact - useful for tenancy handovers requiring a cleaning protocol.
Asbestos-containing materials, liquid chemicals, and heavily contaminated upholstery (for example, after mould damage) require a licensed specialist contractor. If you are unsure, ask us before booking - we will advise on the correct route under VVEA and ChemRRV.
