Researchers and interns, led by CUES Co-Director, Dr. Beth Ravit, were the first to study microplastic pollution in freshwater portions of the Raritan and Passaic Rivers. CUES also hosted the "Impact of Microplastics in Urban Environment" Conference at Rutgers in 2019. As a result of this significant focus on microplastic pollution, Dr. Ravit was appointed to the Governor's Plastic Advisory Council. This Council was mandated in the New Jersey legislation abolishing distribution of single use plastic bags, which became effective on May 4, 2022. The Council reports annually to the New Jersey Governor and the Legislature regarding the effectiveness of this law and ongoing efforts to control plastic pollution in New Jersey waters. The first-year report was issued on May 4, 2023.