2017
This Mother and Daughter Duo Upcycle Old Billboards Into Eco-Stylish Products
May 2017
Della Simpson and Kari Brizius are on a mission to save the world, one billboard at a time.The mother-daughter duo are behind Relan, a Minnesota-based company that upcycles old billboards and banners into gifts and promotional items for organizations concerned about their impact on the environment.
Take A Closer Look at the LA Galaxy Relan Tote Bags & Protect the Pitch Mugs
April 2017
In conjunction with Earth Day 2017 the LA Galaxy turned their 2014 Championship banner into tote bags and coin purses that will be sold to raise money for the LA Galaxy Foundation.
Relan Bags Debut at Anaheim Ducks Team Store for NHL Green Week
March 2017
Teaming up to create a green St. Patrick's Day for the Anaheim Ducks, not only were there green initiatives throughout the game, but the Relan bags created from old banners from previous years events were debuted in the Team Store.
2016
Star Tribune
November 2016
Mendota Heights business finds new life for old banners. Della Simpson and Kari Brizius are a mother-daughter duo who long dreamed of building a business around their passion for the environment and health. Read more.
United - Ecoskies - Transforming Billboards Into Travel Gear
October 2016
At United, we aim to minimize the environmental impacts associated with our operations and are continuously looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint in the air, on the ground and at our facilities. Relan shares the Eco-skies commitment to sustainability, which is why we chose to partner with them to help mitigate our waste product. These products are now available here: http://uafly.co/EcoskiesSwag
WCCO - CBS Minnesota
October 2016
Reusing and repurposing older items is a great way to save money and also be kind to the environment. Joining us now is ReUSE Minnesota Board Vice President Madalyn Cioci (cho-chee) and Board member Della Simpson who's also the CEO of Relan. (3:08)
WCCO Mid-Morning
Twin Cities PBS
March 2016
It's been 27 years since the state of Minnesota initiated ongoing funding for recycling programs ("SCORE" laws, 1989), and today there are hundreds of private businesses, like Relan and Vibrant Technologies, that use recycled materials to create new products. David Gillette explains.
2015
Organic Spa Magazine
October 2015
Anyone who lives in a city, drives down a highway, goes to a stadium or attends a trade show ends up staring at billboards or banners that are printed on vinyl. The colorful in-your-face graphics can be distracting—or infuriating!—but they are certainly always eye-catching. Read more.
How Sports are Influencing Sustainable Practices
July 2015
We sat down with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Portland Timbers and San Diego Padres to talk sustainability, the position sports teams are in to influence their massive audience, and how we can all live more environmentally-conscious lives.
Portland Timbers Partner With Relan to Give Fans Unique Piece of History
March 2015
In a recent press release, we announced our latest project with the Portland Timbers, Oregon’s Major League Soccer team. We gifted their most loyal fans with a small piece of Timbers’ history to start their 2015 season.
Social Change Nation Podcast – Interview with Kari Brizius, President of Relan (Part II)
March 2015
"We are back talking with Kari Brizius of Relan. Relan is the social enterprise that works to reduce waste by repurposing banners and billboards into promotional bags and accessories. Kari answers some question about some of the unique characteristics of Relan and sustainability before going through the lightning round Q & A’s."
Social Change Nation Podcast – Interview with Kari Brizius, President of Relan (Part I)
March 2015
"This week we have a podcast guaranteed to be a lot of fun for anyone passionate about fashion, marketing, and up-cycling. Today’s interview features Kari Brizius, a social entrepreneur helping to create a cleaner environment by up-cycling waste into fashionable, functional, and promotional tote bags. Kari and her mom run a social enterprise called Relan, which means to reinvent fashion. Relan makes bags, backpacks, cases, and other products out of vinyl taken from old billboards and banners that would otherwise end up in a landfill."