This is how you can get your Christmas tree collected and recycled for free in Sheffield

The belief that bad luck will befall anyone who keeps up a tree or tinsel after January 5 was concocted by the Victorians who, according to academic study, wanted to get everybody back to work after all the festive merriment.

Indeed, the Tudors carried on celebrating until February 1, the eve of Candlemas, another Christian festival – but regardless of superstition, the urge to tidy up and start the new year in fresh surroundings is strong for most people these days.

However, disposing of a Christmas tree can be a tricky task, which the new national lockdown has complicated even further.

Sheffield Council does not operate a free pick-up service for real Christmas trees, while JM Ground Care and Berry’s Trees and Gardens’ collection scheme in aid of Sheffield Children’s Hospital is now fully booked.

Skip hire firm Fletchers Waste Management was set to be helping Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice with its tree recycling initiative, but this has had to be cancelled because of the new countrywide coronavirus restrictions.

The company has come up with an alternative, though.

“We’re offering a free Christmas tree collection service to anyone who books a skip or bin collection in the next week – useful if you’re bins are overflowing after an indulgent Christmas,” the firm said.

To take advantage of the offer, customers should visit https://www.fletcherswaste.co.uk/skips to book a skip or call 0114 244 5006 to arrange a bin collection.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.