Disposing of furniture: top tips
Your moving date is approaching. What better time to clear out some of your stuff? But how do you dispose of, give away or sell old and bulky furniture?
16.11.2020
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What is the proper way to dispose of furniture?
If you can neither sell nor give away old furniture, disposal is your only option. Check your municipal waste calendar. Glass tabletops and mirrors, for example, cannot be disposed of along with other glass waste. You can drop them off at a waste disposal centre for a fee. Such centres will also take scrap metal and electrical devices off your hands for free.
How much does it cost to dispose of small bulky waste?
Small bulky waste – smaller flammable items of furniture, carpets and mattresses – will usually be taken by refuse collectors. You will need waste stickers for this. The waste calendar of your municipality or local municipal authority states the price of stickers and the kilograms of bulky waste you can dispose of per sticker. The stickers are available in local shops; sometimes, you can also obtain them at post offices or directly from your local municipal authority.
| Number of stickers per kg | Price per sticker | Maximum weight | Maximum size (length x width x height) | Collection | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winterthur | Up to 5 kg = 1 sticker Up to 10 kg = 2 stickers For each additional 10 kg = 1 additional sticker |
CHF 1.80 | - | Not specified (soft materials such as carpets, up to 1.5 m long) | Taken along with regular waste |
| Zurich | Every year, each household receives 4 free coupons valid for 100 kg each | - | 40 kg | Max. 2.5 m long | Bring to the disposal station or cargo tram by yourself, collection for a fee (from CHF 80) |
| Lucerne | Per 5 kg = 1 sticker | CHF 1.80 (sheet of 5 for CHF 9) | 25 kg | 2 m x 1 m x 0.5 m | Taken along with regular waste |
| Bern | Per item = 1 sticker | CHF 43.90 (pack of 10) | 25 kg | 0.5 m x 0.5 m x 1 m | Taken along with regular waste |
| Basel | Per 10 kg = 1 sticker | CHF 4.50 per sticker | 10 kg | Not specified | Taken along with regular waste |
How much does it cost to dispose of large bulky waste?
You must bring large bulky waste, such as sofas and beds, to the disposal station yourself. The City of Zurich’s waste disposal and recycling service, for example, will collect large bulky waste from your home for a flat fee of 80 francs. Checking the website of your municipality to find the prices charged where you live.
Moving companies also offer furniture disposal as a service. When requesting a quote, just specify that you also want to dispose of furniture when you move. List all the items you wish to get rid of. The moving company will tell you how much it will cost. Companies usually charge a flat rate of roughly 50 francs per cubic metre or per 100 kilograms.
If you have ordered new furniture to be delivered to your home, the furniture store may take your old furniture off your hands for a fee. Prices vary depending on the retailer. The following table provides an overview of the flat rates charged by the main Swiss furniture stores:
| Furniture store | Disposal of armchair/sofa | Disposal of mattress | Disposal of bed | Disposal of slatted frame | Disposal of cabinet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA | From CHF 80 | From CHF 50 | From CHF 80 | From CHF 80 | From CHF 80 |
| Conforama | CHF 30–170 | CHF 20–50 | CHF 50–100 | CHF 20–50 | CHF 50–130 |
| Livique | CHF 30–180 | CHF 30–50 | CHF 50–70 | CHF 30–50 | CHF 80–100 |
| Micasa | CHF 80 | CHF 80 | CHF 80 | CHF 80 | CHF 80 |
| Schubiger Möbel | Free* | Free* | Free* | Free* | Free* |
| Möbel Pfister | CHF 90** | CHF 90** | CHF 90** | CHF 90** | CHF 90** |
* Part of the full-service package when buying a new piece of furniture
** For every piece of furniture purchased, an old piece of furniture of the same type is removed. Applies exclusively to online orders.
The cost of disposal usually depends on the size of the item of furniture. The bulkier your furniture is, the more you will have to pay.
How much does it cost to hire a rubbish skip?
If you have a lot of furniture in your home that you no longer use, it makes sense to order a mobile skip. The cost depends on the size of the skip and the rental duration. A small skip (1.5 cubic metres) costs between 250 and 400 francs. Prices for a large skip (6 cubic metres) start at 650 francs.
Which charitable organizations accept used goods?
Socially responsible organizations will also pick up furniture you no longer need. They usually charge for their time, the distance to pickup and the disposal fees. Nevertheless, prices vary considerably:
Brocki.ch
Furniture that can still be sold is picked up free of charge. The prices for disposal are calculated on an individual basis, and you can request a quote.
Brocki-Land
The collection service costs 60 francs per hour and per employee. This also applies to house clearances. The price covers wages, transport, disposal and recycling.
Caritas
Depending on your location, Caritas may pick up furniture directly from your home. It will be given to those in need or sold in thrift stores. Contact your regional Caritas organization in advance for more information. The cost of disposing of unusable goods is 35 francs per 100 kg plus transport costs.
Remar
Remar will collect items that are still in good condition free of charge. Families and persons in need receive vouchers that they can redeem at Remar second-hand shops. A fee is charged for the disposal of unusable furniture. The cost of removal depends on the type of furniture and the amount of work involved. For example, the price charged for a chest of drawers ranges from 10 to 30 francs; for a wardrobe, you will pay between 100 and 200 francs. The price includes travel to your home and the removal and proper disposal of the furniture.
Sozialwerk Pfarrer Sieber
Old furniture is picked up from your home for a flat fee of 30 francs. This furniture is then used in social facilities or given to people affected by poverty.
Where can I sell my furniture?
You might be able to sell your furniture if you plan ahead or if you do not have to get rid of it urgently. Supermarkets and shops usually have a board on which you can post small ads. Flea markets are also great for selling second-hand items. You can also try online marketplaces such as Ricardo, eBay, Tutti and Anibis. Click here to find out how much your furniture originally cost. Check out the following tips to increase your chances of selling:
Present your furniture in the best possible way. Position the item against a neutral background.
Never try to hide anything. Take pictures of and document flaws such as scratches.
Describe the furniture in detail and highlight the good points.
If selling by auction: time your auction to expire in the evening, when as many users as possible are online. Experience shows that this results in higher auction prices.
Where can I give away furniture?
Give furniture away to friends
Offer your furniture to friends who might be interested. Make sure that your friends actually pick up the items at the agreed time. With every piece of furniture you give away, you have more space to stow moving boxes. You can also deliver furniture to your friends’ homes on moving day – using the removal van you have rented.
Put furniture out on the street
Many people dispose of furniture by putting it on the kerb and leaving a note telling people they can take it for free. Note: if possible, you should only leave furniture on your private property, not on public property. If it is not taken after three days, you should dispose of it yourself. For example, in the city of Zurich, you are allowed to leave items outside the building entrance for one day with a note saying “free” or “to give away”. However, the items must not block traffic or impede the usual refuse collection service, and they must be taken inside again at the end of the day. You can be fined for not following these rules. If in doubt, check with your local authority for the current rules.
Give away or exchange furniture at “bring-and-take” events
Some municipalities organize so-called “bring-and-take” days on which you can drop off or exchange any second-hand items you no longer use. Find the dates on the website of your municipality (for example, Pfäffikon ZH), the waste calendar or in local media.
Give furniture away on the Internet
There are various websites that you can use to give away furniture. Platforms such as Facebook have marketplaces and private groups (e.g. Street Furniture & Etc [for FREE] Switzerland) on which you can post furniture ads. You can also offer furniture for people to pick up for free on online marketplaces such as tutti.ch.
For more tips to help with your next move, take a look at our moving guide.