Science Meets Packaging: Vela’s Work with Mote Marine Lab

A Shared Mission: Science, Stewardship, and the Sea

At Vela™, we believe in practical solutions that serve both people and the planet. But we also believe in the power of science. That’s why we’ve partnered with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium—a world-renowned nonprofit organization committed to ocean research, education, and conservation.

Mote’s team of scientists, explorers, and policy advocates has spent decades uncovering the secrets of marine ecosystems and developing science-based strategies to protect them. Together, we’re taking a closer look at one of the most urgent threats in ocean health today: nanoplastic pollution.

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The Invisible Threat of Nanoplastics

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, plastic pollution is one of the defining environmental challenges of our time. While macro- and microplastics have been studied extensively, nanoplastics—particles so small they can pass through cellular membranes—remain poorly understood and dangerously underestimated.

These particles not only accumulate in marine organisms but also carry chemical pollutants on their surfaces, compounding the risks to ocean life and food chains. Some studies have even found traces of nanoplastics in human tissue.

As Dr. Dana Wetzel, Senior Scientist at Mote, explains this area of research is still in its early stages and often lacks access to traditional public funding. That’s where partnerships like ours come in.

Sea the Difference: Turning Packaging Into Purpose

In 2022, Seaman Paper launched the Sea the Difference initiative through the Vela™ product line, with the goal of generating continuous funding for marine research. For every Vela™ paper-based bag used, a portion goes toward supporting the science that helps us understand and mitigate plastic’s hidden impact on marine life.

Through this program, we help fund Mote’s nanoplastic research, enabling field studies, lab testing, and environmental forensics. The work is urgent, the science is evolving, and the support—through everyday packaging choices—is direct and impactful.

Science Drives Change, and So Can Packaging

Our collaboration with Mote is about more than funding. It’s about bridging two worlds: applied science and applied design. We see packaging not just as a container, but as a touchpoint for change. With recyclable, FSC™-certified, and plastic-free alternatives, Vela™ products are designed to reduce harm upstream, while supporting the research that helps repair what’s already downstream.

This is one of the ways we make our impact measurable and long-term.

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Looking Ahead

As Mote continues to lead the way in nanoplastic research, we’re proud to support their mission. The ocean gives us more than we can ever count. Through partnerships like this, we believe we can give something back. Because protecting what matters starts with knowing what we’re up against.