Simpler Recycling Is Here – How Opalion Is Helping Businesses Stay Ahead

The landscape of waste and recycling in England is undergoing a significant transformation. As of 31 March 2025, all businesses with 10 or more employees must now separate key recyclables, including food waste from general waste. This mandate is a part of the UK Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms.

At Opalion, we’re not just keeping up with these changes, we’re helping businesses and public bodies lead the way.

What Simpler Recycling Means for Businesses

The 2025 rollout has brought immediate changes to commercial premises across England. Businesses are now required to sort waste into separate streams for:

• Paper and card
• Plastic, metal, and glass
• Food waste
• Residual (non-recyclable) waste

From 31 March 2026, the focus shifts to households. Local councils will be expected to offer:

• Weekly food waste collections
• Fortnightly general waste collections
• Standardised recycling collections across the country

This will bring long-overdue consistency to domestic waste services and reduce confusion for residents.

From 2027, flexible plastics take centre stage

Flexible plastics, such as films and soft packaging, remain one of the most challenging materials to recycle. But starting March 2027, they’ll be collected kerbside from both households and businesses.

To support local authorities in this transition, Opalion offers the following high-quality stock and bespoke products to help with these rollouts.

• Clear Refuse Sacks – Our transparent sacks are perfect to encourage proper sorting and reduce contamination which leads to higher recycling rates.

• Compostable Food Bags – Our compostable food bags break down naturally in composting facilities, diverting waste from landfills and making it easier for businesses and households to collect food scraps.

• Opatrack – Our innovative new technology allows businesses to meticulously track their waste from generation to final disposal. Our Opatrack technology can help with ensuring compliance, improving recycling quality, and providing valuable insights into their waste management processes.

The next stages of Simpler Recycling are fast approaching. Now is the time to review and equip your team with the right tools for compliance.

Get in touch today for personalised advice on navigating the Simpler Recycling reforms.