If you walk through Zurich's neighborhoods, you know the sight: A chair by the curb, a shelf in front of a doorway, a box of books – and a handwritten note: "Gratis zum Mitnehmen" (free to take). What might look strange to tourists is part of everyday life for us Zurich residents.
This curbside culture is more than just practical waste avoidance. It's a piece of Zurich's way of life that combines sustainability, community, and Swiss pragmatism.
Where Does This Tradition Come From?
Zurich has always been a city of pragmatists. Why throw something away that's still usable? Why drive to the disposal center when someone in the neighborhood is looking for exactly that?
The tradition goes back a long way, but it has changed in recent years. People used to take things to the Brockenhaus (thrift store) or give them to acquaintances. Today, much of it simply ends up outside – a silent call to all passersby: Take it if you can use it.
I believe social media amplified this. Through Facebook groups like the various "Verschenkkreise" (giving circles), people got used to simply passing things on. The step from the online group to the doorstep wasn't far.
What You Find – And What You Don't
The classic curbside finds are furniture. Chairs, shelves, small tables, sometimes even sofas. In Wiedikon, Aussersihl, and Kreis 4, I see this practically every week. Zurich has so much furniture on the street that some people wonder: Is this art, or can it go?
But it's not just furniture. I've found:
- Boxes of books (especially at the end of the semester)
- Kitchen utensils and dishes
- Plants and flower pots
- Toys and children's items
- Electronics (careful, more on that later)
- Sports equipment
- Bags of clothing
What you find less often: Really high-quality pieces. Those usually go to thrift stores or get given away online. What ends up on the curb is more what needs to go quickly – weekend move, deadline approaching, no time for listings.
The Legal Side – Important to Know
Now it gets serious. Because: Not everything you see is legal.
The City of Zurich – specifically Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich (ERZ) – has clear rules. Leaving waste on public ground is prohibited. This applies to furniture, appliances, metal and plastic items.
But – and this is the important part – ERZ tolerates when flawless, functional items are offered for free in front of the building entrance. The conditions:
- Items must be flawless and functional
- They must be placed outside during the day (not at night)
- They must be in front of your own building entrance
- They must not block the sidewalk
- They must be taken back inside in the evening if nobody takes them
That last point is often forgotten. Whoever leaves things outside overnight risks a fine. The city considers that illegal waste disposal.
By the way: Every Zurich household receives an annual voucher for free disposal of up to 400 kilograms of bulky waste. And the Cargo-Tram runs ten to twelve times a year at various stops where you can dispose of items for free. So if you have things that truly nobody wants anymore, there are legal options.
Where in Zurich It's Worth Looking
Not all neighborhoods are equal. This has to do with the population structure, but also with the culture in each neighborhood.
Kreis 4 and 5: There's constant movement here. Young people, shared apartments, students – there's a lot of moving in and out. Accordingly, lots of things are around. The quality is mixed, but the quantity is right.
Wiedikon and Aussersihl: My personal favorites. Different lifestyles mix here, and the curbside culture is established. People expect their things to be picked up.
Altstetten, Schwamendingen, Affoltern: The transitional neighborhoods. Families and older people live here who are moving or downsizing. The furniture is often sturdier and less IKEA-heavy.
Enge, Seefeld, Hottingen: Less curbside culture. People here tend to use online platforms or donate directly to thrift stores. If something does appear outside, the competition is fierce.
The Digital Complement
Alongside the curbside culture, a whole ecosystem of giveaway platforms has developed in Switzerland.
The Facebook groups – "Verschenkkreis Zürich" and similar ones – have upwards of 500 members per region. The principle is simple: Post a photo, have it picked up, done. According to observers, this can be a new form of neighborly help, especially in a time of increasing anonymity in the city.
Then there are platforms like nimms.ch, which specialize entirely in free items. Over 2,000 listings in the "Household" category alone, from furniture to decoration. Practical when you're looking for something specific.
And of course PIKITUP, where we try to make the whole thing even easier – with a map that shows you what's currently available near you.
Why This Is Becoming More Important
Switzerland explicitly incorporated the circular economy into its environmental protection law in 2025. Resource conservation, longer product lifecycles, reusing instead of throwing away – these are now official goals.
The Canton of Zurich has also adopted a circular economy strategy that is being implemented step by step. Politics has recognized what many Zurich residents have been practicing for a long time: There's no sense in destroying usable things.
The numbers support this: 55 percent of Swiss consumers plan to rent or share something during the year, rather than buying new. The sharing economy is no longer a trend – it's mainstream.
In this context, the curbside culture is more than a tradition. It's a form of civic participation in the circular economy – spontaneous, uncomplicated, without bureaucracy.
Tips for Finders and Givers
If you're looking for things:
- Timing is everything: End of the month, when many people move. End of the semester, when students leave. Saturday and Sunday mornings, when people have time.
- Avoid after rain: Upholstered furniture that's been outside for a night is often ruined.
- Check electronics: A free toaster sounds great, but test it before you plug it in.
- Avoid mattresses: Seriously. Don't do it.
If you're giving things away:
- Only usable items: Broken things belong at the disposal center, not on the sidewalk.
- Put them out during the day: Morning is ideal, giving people the whole day.
- Take them back in the evening: If nobody wants it, it's your problem, not the city's.
- Check the weather: Don't put things out when rain is forecast.
- Label clearly: "Gratis", "Free to take", "Please take" – the clearer, the better.
A Matter of Community
What I like about this culture: It's based on trust. Trust that someone will pick things up. Trust that they're usable. Trust that the neighbors accept it.
In a city that's often considered cold and anonymous, these small acts of generosity are a counterbalance. No big deal, no elaborate system – just a chair on the curb and the hope that it'll be useful to someone.
That's very Zurich, if you ask me. Pragmatic, understated, but ultimately communal.
Have you made great curbside finds or have good tips for specific neighborhoods? Write to me at hello@pikitup.ch – I'm happy to update the article.