There was a guy in Basel who had a brocki and he said that he would take the mattress and boxspring, but he has since moved shop and I can't find him. I guess his buddy used them in shipping containers as padding

Does anyone have any idea of how to dispose of these things, other than Sperrgut? Thanks for your suggestions!

Outside with a sign on saying that it is free. It may disappear... if it does, problem solved.

True, but if it doesn't, that's a lot of work to get it downstairs just to bring it bak up if it doesn't disappear

This is done regularly outside our blocks and the stuff always goes within a few days, which is good as it avoids us having to lug it somewhere else.

Do ask a close-by mattress shop, and they'll let you know.

How about a small ad on your local Coop's noticeboard?

How about getting a sticker from your council offices and putting it outside on the day they tell you it will be collected.

I don't think you would actually need to bring it back up though.

This is precisely why the OP is first exploring other options, as that sticker has to be paid for.

In my view it is worth placing it outside (possibly under cover, though I appreciate it is not always possible) to see if there are any takers. As mentioned this happens a lot here. The other day someone had a clear out and we saw some nice chairs amongst the stuff placed outside and took a couple to place on our balcony. They couldn't have been there for more than 15 minutes, so we were lucky. The other stuff we didn't take, but others must have done as it soon went.

We have ourselves regularly placed stuff (that otherwise would have to be dumped) outside with a note on saying 'free'. The stuff has always been taken and fairly quickly as well. We have not had to buy one of those stickers to date.

A gentleman in the block adjoining ours downsized and sold off a larger flat (possibly 5 rooms) to a 1.5 room holiday flat and over a period of weeks the partial contents of 3 or 4 rooms was gradually placed outside for people to take what they want. There were literally hundreds of books as well as several beds, sofas, tables, chairs, bookcases. Most of the stuff was taken by other residents.

The OP could try the same.
If it doesn't get taken, the 'sticker' needn't be bought until the day before collection day when it should only then be moved out onto the pavement for the official paid-for collection.
Moreover, before purchasing, it is wise to check on the town hall's website for the rules on this as there may well be a maximum dimension rule, i.e. huge items might not be accepted and in that case you will have to call a clearance company. Unfortunately that is what we will have to do soon when we have to dispose of a sofa, which of course will not fit in the lift, as well as a couple of other items since our building is a up some steps and not directly roadside, we can't carry these things ourselves and do not have a car.

Many stores have a promotion where if you buy a new mattress they will dispose of your old one free of charge. If that opportunity is no longer available then my advice is to advertise it for free assuming it is usable. Could make a decent guest bed.

American bed sizes are not compatible with fitted bed sheets sold here so one has to be a bit creative. It is possible to fit legs onto a box spring.

Hope you find a good solution.

Large, non-fitted bed sheets are available.

I take it that this mattress is stain free and so still usable?
What about contacting the local Christian or Protestant groups? They came and took a load of stuff off us once.

Wasn't there a scheme also whereby you could donate beds and/or mattresses (in good condition) to local refugee centres as well? If I call rightly they came to pick the beds up. I don't know if it still runs.

Very easy.

Check weather forecast. Should be dry in next 2 days, when the rubbish (and Sperrgut collection) is due.
Put out a sticker "Gratis / Free" onto it - for electronic devices add "Funktioniert" or similar.

If it does NOT get taken away (either because it's condition/look is REALLY bad) put the Sperrgut sticker onto it on the morning of collection.

But unless it's REALLY, REALLY something no one would want ever, it will be gone within a few hours. Even in a relatively quiet neighbourhood.

I think this still continues. We were clearing out a house, called the local Christian church/group who told us they could only come in a week's time as they were too busy, we then called the Protestant equivalent who came the next day and took it all away. They collect to give to families in need, many of which are new immigrants. They also do jumble sales with the items collected to raise money for various causes.

Similar issue, had to get rid of a bulky old Canadian boxspring and mattress.

Stickers were 4.50CHF to put it out with the normal garbage collection. Easy. Nobody wants a used mattress.

I was actually surprised they just threw both items into the garbage truck along with everything else.