Did you ever wonder where our garbage ends up after we throw it away? It's always important to consider the environmental impact of disposed tires.

Americans wear out an estimated 290 million tires each year. Fortunately, they recycle 233 million of them, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. There are hundreds of products that are made from recycled tires. Some recycled tires even return to the world of transportation in their second life. For example:

• Durable rubber casing for railroad ties. Made from about 80 pounds of ground-up scrap tires and recycled plastic bottles, each tie is held together with glue or other type of binder around a steel beam. This rubber casing can last about 90 years, much longer than any wooden tie.

• Sound-proof walls between highways and communities. Shredded tires are mixed with cement to form walls that drastically reduce noise pollution in neighborhoods from busy interstates.

• Rubberized asphalt. This has been used as a cost-effective solution to resurface many federal interstates, as it needs to be replaced much less often.

With summer right around the corner thousands of Americans are beginning to think about their summer vacation. If flying is not your thing, consider the open road. The open road never loses its magic and with the lure of the possibility that the grass may be greener on the other side of that hill, a road trip sounds like a good plan. But where should you go? Did you know that millions of tourists visit Indiana each year?

So if you’re planning a road trip this summer, you just might want to check out Northwest Indiana. But before you go, if you are planning to travel anywhere long distance, make sure to check that your car is in top shape and ready for the long trip. The tires need to be checked for proper air pressure, tread depth and any signs of unusual wear and tear. Ok, before we get carried away with tires (we are a Tire and Auto Repair company after all), let’s talk about the destinations!

When researching related material for this post I came across one article entitled, “Why are Auto Mechanics Allowed to Rip-off Clients?”

My first thought was how anyone could honestly ask that question. Which was immediately followed by wait, are mechanics really allowed to rip clients off? Stupid I know, but then I began to think about all the times throughout the years, with every car I owned or leased, how many times I questioned

the same thing.  We all have at one time or another…

Finding the right mechanic is just as important as hiring the right contractor to renovate your home. Cost, time, and patience are all things to consider before hiring either, but most importantly is TRUST. Auto repair is one of those services where we must fully trust the expert to get the job done right, but how do you find one you can trust? The following is a list of points to keep in mind before hiring a mechanic.

Levin Tire and Service Center opened in 1918 as a small, family-owned tire repair shop, serving the needs of the community around us. Today, we have seven locations around Lake and Porter Counties, but we're still a local company, providing personal, professional and affordable tire and auto service.

Buying local offers many advantages to you and the community at large. A "buy local" initiative known as the 3/50 Project released study results showing that, for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the community. Spend that same $100 at a national chain, and only $43 stays in the community. Spend that $100 at a national online retailer, and none of the money stays locally.

Seventeen northwest Indiana Chambers of Commerce are part of a collective campaign encouraging consumers to buy local - from groceries, to clothing, to tires. Levin Tire and Service Center is proud to be one of more than 100 businesses participating in the "It Pays to Buy Local" initiative. 

Here's something else to consider: not only does a good portion of the money you spend at a local retailer stay within your community, but doing business locally strengthens the community, builds relationships, and makes referrals easier. Look for the distinctive "It Pays to Buy Local" decal on the windows of participating local businesses like Levin Tire.