Some things that feel like trash to you might be usable by someone else.
Anything you would like to give away, you can advertise for free on:
- this Forum under "Marketplace"
- www.fleedoo.ch (everything on that site is always for free)
- www.gratis-inserate.ch
- www.olx.ch
- www.tutti.ch
There, it's a good idea to
- put in the title: Gratis, Free, zu Verschenken, to give away, gratuit
- name the product with synonyms (couch, sofa, sofabed, daybed, divan)
- specify the basic colour(s) and the substance (genuine pine wood, aluminium, cotton, imitation leather)
- post all the dimensions (length x breadth x height), both inner and outer / with and without legs, etc. as applicable
- post approximate volume (e.g. one big Ikea-bagful) or weight (will take two strong men to carry / can be dismantled and could easily be transported by bus)
- upload as many photos as you are allowed for free, including honest close-ups of any damages such as scratches, stains or tears
- as far as relevant, add details of "non-smoking home" and "from home with cats".
I think that the more info you give, from the start, the less work you will have answering questions.
Second-hand shops (known by various names such as "charity shops" or "op shops") are called "Brockenhaus" or "Brockenstube" (abbreviated to Brocki) in German, and "brocante" in French.
You can search on www.directories.ch (the phone book) for anything in your area starting with Brock... or broc...
Some Brockis will collect goods for free, if the men in the van, there and then, assess the goods as re-sell-able. If not, they will charge a fee which you pay in cash, and they take the whole lot away, and directly to the municiple dumping ground / refuse incinerary. To get this service, you need to phone the brocki, describe the goods, and agree on the likely price.
Some Brockis will do the round to the dumping ground (for the fee) only if they can combine it with collecting something from you that they can actually sell in their shop. So that's something worth weighing up, whether to keep something back for the Brocki before selling all your other items.
Yes, you can try putting your things out on the pavement/sidewalk, with a large sign "Gratis zum mitnehmen" / "Free, please help yourself". This is not strictly legal, and if you do this, best to choose a day that is not wet and rainy, so that if no-one collects the items, you can take them indoors again (before they go soggy) before the next official refuse-collection day. If they're still out there by the time the dustmen come by on their regular route, you could get a fine.
Many municipalities have a way of disposing or large items.
In Winterthur, for example, you can buy special stickers to affix to the item, so the dustmen know you've paid the proper tax, and they will collect them.
In Zurich, you can dispose of items for FREE if you take them by public Transport to the cargotram https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/vbz/de/...und_etram.html