Updated: October 2026Editorial team: Umzugsexpress GmbHTeam: 17 years in moving and clearance
When you clear a home, everything comes together: the old sofa, the television, half-full paint tins, batteries. Not everything may go into the same skip – and some things you can return free of charge.
In short
Retailers take back electrical appliances and batteries free of charge. Paint, solvents and other chemicals go back to the shop or to a collection point – never down the drain. For bulky waste, the rules of your municipality apply.
At a glance
| What | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and electronic appliances, fridges, lamps | retailers that sell such appliances, or a collection point | free, even without a new purchase |
| Batteries and rechargeable batteries | any point of sale | free |
| Paint, varnish, solvents, acids, alkalis, spray cans, pesticides | specialist shop, collection point or collection day of the municipality or canton | small quantities free at the shop |
| Medicines | canton of Aargau: pharmacy or drugstore; canton of Zurich: mobile special-waste collection | ask on site |
| Combustible bulky waste: furniture, mattresses, carpets | the municipality’s bulky-waste collection or recycling centre | depends on the municipality |
Appliances: returning them is free – and mandatory
Retailers, manufacturers and importers must take back used electrical and electronic equipment free of charge, even if you do not buy a new appliance. In turn, you are obliged to return it: it must not go into the refuse or the bulky-waste collection (Federal Office for the Environment).
Batteries
All suppliers – from large retailers to kiosks – must take back used portable batteries free of charge. Lithium batteries must never go into the refuse: disposed of incorrectly they can cause fires (Federal Office for the Environment).
Special waste: paint, solvents, chemicals
Households can return chemicals to specialist shops, to collection points or on collection days of the municipality or canton. Where these are hazardous substances under the Chemicals Act, retailers must take back small quantities from private individuals free of charge (Federal Office for the Environment, in German).
- Canton of Zurich: the mobile special-waste collection (Sonderabfallmobil) comes to every municipality at least once a year. Up to 20 kilograms per person per year are accepted free of charge (Canton of Zurich, in German).
- Canton of Aargau: return to the shops that sell such products, or to drugstores and pharmacies (Canton of Aargau, in German).
- Never pour it down the drain or the toilet.
Bulky waste: the municipality decides
There is no uniform rule for bulky waste; your municipality of residence is responsible. One example: in Spreitenbach, combustible furniture goes out with the refuse collection and needs a fee sticker – one sticker per 25 kilograms or 300 litres, with a maximum of 50 kilograms and 230 centimetres in length (municipal waste leaflet, in German).
How it works elsewhere is explained on our local pages, for example for Zurich, Dietikon, Baden and Spreitenbach.
What we take – and what we do not
During a clearance or furniture disposal we take everything to the right collection point; special waste such as paint, chemicals and electrical appliances is handed in separately. We do not transport gas cylinders, fuel or other flammable substances. For one or two items you can carry yourself, the municipality is usually cheaper – what a collection costs is set out under clearance costs.
Too much to take away yourself? Our disposal service collects – and how to recognise a good disposal company is set out under checking a disposal company.
Frequently asked questions
May an old television go out with the bulky waste?
No. Electrical appliances must not go into the refuse or the bulky-waste collection. Retailers that sell such appliances take them back free of charge.
Where do old paint tins go?
To the shop or to a collection point. In the canton of Zurich the mobile special-waste collection accepts up to 20 kilograms per person per year free of charge.
Do you take special waste during a clearance?
Yes, paint, chemicals and electrical appliances are handed in separately. We do not transport gas cylinders or fuel.
Sources
- Federal Office for the Environment: electrical and electronic equipment
- Federal Office for the Environment: batteries
- Federal Office for the Environment: waste guide, chemicals (in German)
- Canton of Zurich: special waste (in German)
- Canton of Aargau: information for private individuals (in German)
- Municipality of Spreitenbach: waste leaflet 2026 (in German)
As of October 2026. Collection points, dates and fees change – the information from your municipality is authoritative.
Related services
- Furniture disposal – also during your move
- Junk removal for cellars, attics and garages
- Clearance and disposal – flat, house, business, estate