I tried to throw away a sofa in Shanghai. It took 3 apps and a ¥200 fee.
My friend from the UK was moving apartments in Shanghai. She had an IKEA sofa she didn't want to take with her.In London, she'd leave it on the curb. The council would collect it.
In Shanghai, she learned: you can't just throw away furniture.
The process:
Step 1: She asked her building management (物业).
"We don't collect large items. You need to call the sanitation bureau."
Step 2: She searched on Meituan for "大件垃圾清运" (large item disposal).
Found a service. Uploaded photos of the sofa. Got a quote: ¥180.
Step 3: They asked: "Do you live in a building with an elevator?"
"Yes."
"Then it's ¥180. Without elevator, it's ¥280."
She booked. They came the next day. Two guys carried the sofa down. Gave her a receipt. Done.
The rules for disposing large items in China:
You CANNOT just leave furniture on the street. It's illegal. You'll get fined.
Options:
1. Meituan / 58.com services
• Search "大件垃圾清运" or "旧家具回收"
• Upload photos, get a quote
• They pick up from your apartment
• Cost: ¥100-300 depending on size and stairs
2. Sell or give away on Xianyu
• If it's in decent condition, someone will take it
• Often for free — they pick it up themselves
• Better than paying to throw it away
3. Building management (物业)
• Some buildings have scheduled bulk collection days
• Ask your building office
• Usually cheaper but less flexible
4. Recycling centers
• Some districts have designated centers
• You need to transport the item yourself
• Often free or very cheap
What about electronics?
Fridges, washers, AC units:
• Some sellers on Xianyu specialize in appliance recycling
• They'll pay YOU a small amount (¥50-100) for the metal
• Or they'll collect for free
Computers and phones:
• Don't throw them in normal trash
• Look for e-waste recycling (电子垃圾回收)
• Some malls have e-waste bins
Tips:
• Disassemble if possible. Smaller pieces = cheaper disposal.
• Take photos before booking. Services need to see what they're dealing with.
• If you're moving out, book disposal 2-3 days before your move date.
• Some landlords deduct disposal fees from your deposit if you leave furniture behind.
My UK friend: "I thought throwing away a sofa would be simple. It wasn't. In China, garbage is serious business. I paid ¥180 to get rid of a ¥1,200 sofa. Next time, I'll sell it on Xianyu first."
Anyone else struggled with large item disposal in China?
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