Mileage Rewards from Ampolo Team on Vimeo.

From time to time, Ampolo introduces “ordinary” citizens who translate their own ideas into realities that improve the community. Previously, we featured Gabrielle Lyon and Joan Brunwasser. This week, meet Lali Watt. After Howard Dean encouraged those desiring change to get involved in local politics, Lali ran for trustee of Wilmette, Illinois. Once elected she came up with a novel, yet simple plan for rewarding environmentally-conscious village members.

Speaking of being environmentally conscious, we recently received an email from Doug, who sells re-usable shopping bags and other eco-friendly products, including (and we hadn’t thought of this) bio-degradable trash bags. We don’t endorse any particular company’s products and are not receiving anything in return for mentioning this, but you may want to look at his website or other similar sites you can find online. Buying green can make a difference. Also, the Sunday January 13 issue of the Chicago Tribune offered 50 simple tips from a year of living the green life.