How to Dispose of Old Appliances in Zurich: Fridge, TV & Washer

Anyone carrying an old washing machine down from the fourth floor of a building without a lift in Kreis 3 (Wiedikon district) learns quickly that the problem is carrying, not paying. If you need appliance disposal in Zurich, you have five options, and several of them cost no money.

The Verordnung über die Rückgabe, die Rücknahme und die Entsorgung elektrischer und elektronischer Geräte (VREG), the Swiss ordinance on the return of electrical and electronic equipment, requires old appliances to be returned, and retailers must take them back free of charge. The cost is already included in the advance recycling fee paid at purchase.

This guide uses a fridge, a TV and a washing machine as examples and compares the options by cost and effort. Status: October 2026. The Mobile Recycling Centre is replacing the Entsorgungstram (cargo tram), which made its last run on 20 October 2026.

Old appliances do not belong in household waste. You can return them free at a retailer, at a SENS collection point or at the ERZ Mobile Recycling Centre. Or book the paid ERZ pickup service, with a weight limit, or have the appliance collected from your flat. Choose by weight, floor and deadline, and do not take it apart yourself.

Appliance Disposal in Zurich: What Counts as Electronic Waste?

Electronic waste means any device with a plug, battery or rechargeable battery, from a TV to a toothbrush. Such devices do not belong in household waste, not even in the Züri-Sack, the official city rubbish bag. See bulky waste vs household waste for the difference.

Appliances contain valuable materials, but also batteries and pollutants that are removed safely during recycling. The foundation SENS eRecycling says that all electrical appliances should be returned, including small ones. Source: SENS eRecycling.

The table shows what to watch for with common large appliances.

Appliance	What to watch for	More
Fridge	Contains refrigerant, so do not take it apart	Fridge disposal
TV	Reset a smart TV so that no accounts stay stored	Return at a retailer
Washing machine	Many weigh more than 40 kg; drain the hoses first	Pickup from your flat
Kitchen appliances	Cookers, dishwashers and small appliances also go through device return	Kitchen items disposal

Refrigerant and batteries are why old appliances should not end up in ordinary bulky waste. Disposing of them properly means returning them, not dismantling them.

Five Options at a Glance: Cost, Lead Time and Effort

Three options cost you nothing, one costs money by loading time, and only a pickup from your flat takes the carrying off your hands. The table compares all five options.

Option	Cost	Lead time	Who carries	Best if
1. Return to a retailer	Free, the fee is included in the purchase price	Opening hours; device type must be in their range	You	You can transport the appliance yourself
2. SENS collection point	Free	Check location and opening hours	You, with your own transport	You have several appliances and a vehicle
3. Mobile Recycling Centre (ERZ)	Free	Check location and date; usually every five weeks for four hours per stop	You, on foot, without a car	The appliances are light
4. ERZ pickup service	CHF 86.50 per quarter hour of loading time	3 working days recommended, Monday to Friday only	You, down to the pavement	The appliance weighs 40 kg at most
5. Pickup from your flat (Disposal.ch)	Fixed price after your photos	Same or next day in most cases, seven days a week	Our team, from any floor	Heavy appliance, no lift or a tight deadline

The Options in Detail: Retailers, Collection Points, Mobile Centre and ERZ

Options 1 and 2: Retailer and SENS collection point

Retailers must take back appliances of the type they sell free of charge, even if you buy nothing new. According to SENS, this also applies to Swiss online shops, which mostly refer you to their locations.

SENS also runs over 750 public collection points in Switzerland that accept appliances free of charge. For small appliances there is a recycling bag for CHF 4.50 with room for 10 kg that the Post collects (as of November 2024). Source: SENS eRecycling.

Option 3: Mobile Recycling Centre, free and car-free

The Mobile Recycling Centre accepts bulky waste, metal and electrical appliances free of charge. According to ERZ, it usually stops at each location every five weeks for four hours. There are 31 locations today, and 33 are planned from early 2027.

It is designed for visitors on foot, so you carry the appliance there. For a washing machine, plan on helpers. Source: City of Zurich media release, October 2026.

Option 4: ERZ pickup service with a weight limit

The ERZ pickup service collects bulky waste, metal and electrical appliances from Monday to Friday. No single piece may be longer than 2.5 m or heavier than 40 kg. Source: City of Zurich, collection of bulky waste, metal and appliances.

You can only order by phone, and the appliance must stand clearly visible on the pavement before 7 am on collection day. Many fridges and washing machines weigh more than 40 kg. See collection dates.

What Does Appliance Disposal in Zurich Really Cost?

Returning an appliance costs nothing, because the advance recycling fee is included in the purchase price. The effort lies in transport. ERZ prices its pickup service by loading time. If you have several appliances, collecting them all in one appointment saves trips.

With Disposal.ch you receive a fixed price after sending photos, and you know it before the appointment. We give no CHF range here, because a fair price needs photos. More on bulky waste in general: bulky waste in Zurich.

Cost factor	Why it matters
Floor and lift	A third-floor flat without a lift means far more carrying than a ground-floor flat.
Weight and size	Fridges and washing machines need several people.
Built-in units	Built-in appliances must be safely disconnected from power and water before transport.
Number of appliances	Several appliances need more time and vehicle space.
Time pressure	Same-day or weekend pickup needs more planning than an appointment in two weeks.

 

Photograph the appliance including its label, give the floor number and say whether there is a lift. This usually lets us confirm a fixed price within an hour.

Step by Step: Getting an Old Appliance Ready

Five steps get an old appliance safely out of your flat.

1.       Empty and prepare the appliance: Empty the fridge and washing machine and let water drain. Remove batteries and reset smart TVs.

2.       Clear data and accessories: Delete personal data on TVs, computers and tablets. Keep cables and remote controls with the device.

3.       Choose an option: Compare the table above by cost, weight and lead time. Treat your handover date as the fixed deadline.

4.       Secure an appointment: Ask the retailer, phone ERZ, or send photos via WhatsApp to +41 76 413 61 83 for a fixed price.

5.       Prepare for collection: Keep the appliance upright and dry. Keep the stairwell and entrance clear.

When to Call a Professional: Weight, Old Buildings and Built-In Appliances

Pickup from your flat makes most sense with heavy appliances, a building without a lift or a tight deadline.

Do not remove built-in appliances such as dishwashers or ovens yourself if power or water connections are involved. Have a specialist disconnect them, then tell us the date for pickup.

Before the Wohnungsabgabe (move-out handover with your property manager), the flat usually has to be besenrein (broom-clean). Your property manager sets the requirements. End-of-tenancy cleaning is a separate service that you can book on its own.

If the appliance is part of a bigger clear-out, an apartment clearance in one visit is often simpler. See also our furniture disposal guide.

We do not collect asbestos-containing materials, active chemicals and gases, or certain contaminated materials. These require a licensed specialist company. For damaged or leaking appliances, please ask us before booking.

Disposal.ch in Zurich: Pickup From Your Flat at a Fixed Price

Disposal.ch collects your old appliance from your flat, from any floor, with or without a lift, at a fixed price you know before the appointment. Send photos via WhatsApp, and you usually receive your quote within an hour.

Pickup is possible on the same or next day in most cases, seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. Our team is bilingual in German and English, which helps if you are new to Swiss waste rules. The team is insured.

We serve all 12 city districts (Kreise) of Zurich, for example Kreis 3 (Wiedikon district) and Kreis 11 (Oerlikon district). We also cover Winterthur, Uster, Dübendorf, Schlieren, Dietikon, Kloten, Bülach, Horgen, Thalwil and Küsnacht, plus Aargau, Luzern and Zug.

Disposal.ch is a pickup and transport service. We do not operate our own recycling plant. We deliver your items to certified partners.

Conclusion

For appliances in Zurich, three options are free, but all of them need you to transport the device yourself. The ERZ pickup service only saves you the trip from the pavement and has a weight limit.

With a heavy appliance, a building without a lift or a tight deadline, pickup from your flat saves time and effort. Questions about appliance disposal in Zurich? Send us photos via WhatsApp and get a no-obligation quote.

The information in this article is for general guidance. Rules and fees can differ by municipality and canton and may change. Please check with your local authority before disposing, or ask us.

 

Disposal.ch collects seven days a week in Zurich, Aargau, Luzern and Zug. Send photos via WhatsApp to +41 76 413 61 83 and you usually get a fixed price within one hour. No obligation.

Request a quote  |  Send photos via WhatsApp

Kind regards, The Disposal.ch Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Which rule applies to disposing of old appliances?

The Verordnung über die Rückgabe, die Rücknahme und die Entsorgung elektrischer und elektronischer Geräte (VREG) requires you to return old appliances. Retailers must take back devices of the type they sell free of charge, even without a new purchase. The cost is covered by the advance recycling fee in the purchase price.

How much does it cost to dispose of an appliance in Zurich?

Return to a retailer, to a SENS collection point or to the Mobile Recycling Centre is free. ERZ pickup cost CHF 86.50 per quarter hour of loading time according to the City of Zurich. Disposal.ch gives a fixed price after your photos, based on weight, floor and access.

How fast can pickup happen?

With Disposal.ch, pickup is possible on the same or next day in most cases, seven days a week. You usually receive a fixed price within one hour of sending photos. The ERZ pickup service runs Monday to Friday only and recommends three working days of notice.

Do you serve Winterthur or Aargau?

Yes. Disposal.ch collects in all 12 city districts of Zurich, as well as Winterthur, Uster, Dübendorf, Schlieren, Dietikon, Kloten, Bülach, Horgen, Thalwil and Küsnacht, plus the cantons of Aargau, Luzern and Zug. Send your postcode via WhatsApp and we will confirm the visit.

What can you not collect?

We do not collect asbestos-containing materials, active chemicals and gases, or certain contaminated materials. These require a licensed specialist company. For damaged or leaking appliances, please ask us before booking, and we will check the individual case together with you. Just send a photo.