Navigation

Electrical appliances (‘Elektrogeräte’) such as toasters, irons, hair dryers, TVs, radios, electric drills, computers, smartphones, etc. contain recyclable metals and toxic heavy metals. Thanks to separate collection, these materials can either be recovered or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Electrical appliances also include e-cigarettes. An advance disposal fee is included in the purchase price of electrical appliances. You can therefore return your electrical appliances to the point of sale or dispose of them at one of the following places free of charge: your neighbourhood mobile recycling centre (‘Mobiler Recyclinghof’, car-free), your local E-Tram (car-free), or the Looächer and Werdhölzli recycling centres. Alternatively, Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich (ERZ) can collect them from your home (for a fee).

Mirrors, window glass and furniture glass come under the heading of ‘Grubengut’ (mineral waste), which includes components similar to glass or stone. You can dispose of mineral waste at the following places: your neighbourhood mobile recycling centre (‘Mobiler Recyclinghof’, car-free, no fee), your local Cargo-Tram (car-free, no fee), or the Looächer and Werdhölzli recycling centres (for a fee). Alternatively, ERZ can collect them from your home (for a fee).

Drinking glasses generally contain a higher lead content and therefore do not go in with the normal glass, but with the mineral waste (‘Grubengut’). Mineral waste consists of glass-like or rock-like items. This also includes mugs and other crockery. You can dispose of mineral waste at the following places: your neighbourhood mobile recycling centre (‘Mobiler Recyclinghof’, car-free, no fee), your local Cargo-Tram (car-free, no fee), or the Looächer and Werdhölzli recycling centres (for a fee). Alternatively, ERZ can collect them from your home (for a fee).

If you only want to dispose of a single drinking glass or mug, you can also dispose of it in your household waste bags (‘Züri-Sack’).

Vases made of glass, ceramic, porcelain or clay, along with flowerpots, count as mineral waste (‘Grubengut’). Mineral waste consists of glass-like or rock-like items. You can dispose of mineral waste at the following places: your neighbourhood mobile recycling centre (‘Mobiler Recyclinghof’, car-free, no fee), your local Cargo-Tram (car-free, no fee), or the Looächer and Werdhölzli recycling centres (for a fee). Alternatively, ERZ can collect them from your home (for a fee).

Furniture, mattresses, carpets, suitcases and wicker ware count as bulky items (‘Sperrgut’). This is combustible waste that is too large and heavy for the household waste bags (‘Züri-Sack’). You can dispose of bulky items at the following places: your neighbourhood mobile recycling centre (‘Mobiler Recyclinghof’, car-free, no fee), your local Cargo-Tram (car-free, fo fee), or the Looächer and Werdhölzli recycling centres (for a fee). Alternatively, ERZ can collect them from your home (for a fee).

You can dispose of metal shelves and other large metal items such as bicycles or barbecues at the following places: your neighbourhood mobile recycling centre (‘Mobiler Recyclinghof’, car-free, no fee), your local Cargo-Tram (car-free, no fee), or the Looächer and Werdhölzli recycling centres (for a fee). Alternatively, ERZ can collect them from your home (for a fee).

Small metal items such as tins, beverage cans, small saucepans, screws, wires, aluminium foil, etc. can be brought to the recycling collection points (‘Wertstoff-Sammelstellen’, free of charge).

Garden shears generally come under the heading of ‘Grossmetall’ (large metal items). If possible, remove all non-metal materials such as plastic or wood, e.g. from the handles. You can dispose of large metal items at the following places: your neighbourhood mobile recycling centre (‘Mobiler Recyclinghof’, car-free, no fee), your local Cargo-Tram (car-free, no fee), or the Looächer and Werdhölzli recycling centres (for a fee). Alternatively, ERZ can collect them from your home (for a fee).

Small garden shears that fit into the 4 x 18 cm opening in the container can be brought to the recycling collection points (‘Wertstoff-Sammelstellen’) free of charge.

Hazardous waste (‘Sonderabfall’) such as spray cans, paints, varnishes, etc. can sometimes be identified by the hazard symbol. Since hazardous waste is environmentally harmful and dangerous, it does not belong in the household waste, but must be collected separately. Even spray cans that appear to be empty should not be disposed of in the household waste, as they still contain small amounts of harmful products and there is a risk of explosion. Batteries, including rechargeable ones, non-herbal medicines, detergents and pesticides are also hazardous waste. You can return hazardous waste to the point of sale or take it to ERZ for disposal at the following places: the mobile hazardous waste centre (‘Sonderabfall-Mobil’) in your neighbourhood or the Hagenholz hazardous waste collection point (up to 20 kilograms free of charge per year, per person).

Lighting equipment (energy-saving lamps, LED lights, fluorescent tubes, etc.) is hazardous waste (‘Sonderabfall’). Since hazardous waste is environmentally harmful and dangerous, it does not belong in the household waste, but must be collected separately. You can return hazardous waste to the point of sale or take it to ERZ for disposal at the following places: the mobile hazardous waste centre (‘Sonderabfall-Mobil’) in your neighbourhood or the Hagenholz hazardous waste collection point (up to 20 kilograms free of charge per year, per person).

Normal light bulbs (very few remain in circulation) can be disposed of in the household waste, but in case of doubt they are also accepted at the collection points for hazardous waste.

Not all plastic is the same. PET drinks bottles – i.e. drinks bottles with the PET logo – should be placed in the PET collection container or can be returned to retailers (free of charge).

You can also collect all other types of plastic bottles separately and dispose of them at retailers (free of charge). Alternatively, you can also bring plastic bottles to ERZ for disposal at the following places: your neighbourhood mobile recycling centre (‘Mobiler Recyclinghof’, car-free, no fee), your local Cargo-Tram (car-free, no fee), or the Looächer and Werdhölzli recycling centres (for a fee).

Other plastic, such as plastic cups, plastic food packaging or plastic carrier bags, can be disposed of in special plastic collection bags (Coop, Migros and Mr. Green) or with the household waste (‘Züri-Sack’).