Welcome to Higginson Strategy’s weekly round-up of international news relating to plastic pollution.
Researchers at the University of California found a possible link between early exposure to PFAS “forever chemicals” and a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children, raising concerns about long-term health impacts. Germany was named the world’s largest plastic waste exporter in 2025, sending more than 810,000 tonnes abroad to countries including Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia, prompting renewed calls for tighter export controls and stronger domestic recycling systems. In the UK, campaigners warned that limited capacity to recycle flexible plastics could lead to increased exports as councils expand collections without adequate processing infrastructure. Researchers in Shanghai found that airborne microplastics may contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere in a similar way to black carbon, highlighting an additional climate risk linked to plastic pollution. Meanwhile, across Europe concerns are growing over medicines and microplastics harming wildlife in rivers and ecosystems, with pressure mounting on governments and industry to invest in improved wastewater treatment systems.
Early exposure to forever chemicals linked to higher lymphoblastic leukaemia risk in children
Researchers at the University of California have identified a possible link between early exposure to PFAS, known as “forever chemicals”, and a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children. The study found that children with higher levels of certain PFAS compounds in newborn blood samples were more likely to later develop the disease, adding to growing concerns about the long-term health impacts of these persistent chemicals.
Read more here.
Study finds Germany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025
Germany exported more plastic waste than any other country in 2025, sending more than 810,000 tonnes overseas, according to new analysis. Much of the waste was shipped to countries including Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia, where campaigners warn it can contribute to pollution, illegal dumping and environmental harm. The findings have renewed calls for tougher controls on plastic exports and greater investment in domestic recycling systems.
Read more here.
Campaigners issue export warning over flexible plastic recycling ‘challenges’
Environmental campaigners have raised concerns that difficulties recycling flexible plastics in the UK could lead to more waste being exported overseas. The warning comes as councils prepare to expand plastic film collections, despite limited domestic recycling capacity for the material. Critics argue that without stronger investment in UK infrastructure, more flexible plastic waste could be shipped abroad, increasing the risk of pollution and poor waste management practices.
Read more here.
Study suggests airborne microplastics may worsen climate change
Researchers at Fudan University have found that airborne microplastics could be contributing to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. The study suggests darker plastic particles absorb sunlight in a similar way to black carbon, with the warming effect estimated at around 16% of that caused by soot. Scientists say the findings highlight another potential environmental risk linked to plastic pollution and could prompt climate models to account for airborne microplastics in future assessments.
Read more here.
Medicines and microplastics harm Europe’s wildlife. No one wants to pay to remove them.
Pharmaceutical residues and microplastics are increasingly harming wildlife across Europe’s rivers and ecosystems, raising pressure on governments and industry to fund cleaner wastewater treatment systems. Campaigners and scientists warn that contaminants from medicines and plastics can disrupt animal behaviour, reproduction and ecosystems, but disagreements remain over who should bear the cost of removing them from the environment.
Read more here.