President Visits Storm-Blasted NYC Then Declares ‘America Recycles Day’

Perhaps the White House could have delayed this proclamation just a bit!The same day President Barack Obama visited areas of New York City and surrounding places blasted by Hurricane Sandy he issued a presidential proclamation that Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day.

Among the areas he visited was Staten Island, where some residents are just now getting power restored. Another 1,600-unit high-rise dwelling in Manhattan (the Knickerbocker) where many elderly residents live is going on day 17 without power. Reports indicate the building smells like rotten eggs. Sandy destroyed the power system in the basement of the building and officials say it was never designed to withstand a hurricane.  As New Yorkers dig out from under piles of wrecked homes, garages, cars and even boats sitting in their yards miles from shore, the Obama administration was reminding Americans of the need to recycle.

Part of the proclamation reads as follows:

"Each year, recycling puts millions of pounds of valuable materials back into use. By diverting old products from the landfill to the factory floor, we take meaningful steps toward a greener economy and help power an entire industry centered on recycling, reuse, and refurbishing. We also reduce or avoid the environmental impacts of using virgin materials."

It went on to add:

"I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities, and I encourage all Americans to continue their reducing, reusing, and recycling efforts throughout the year."

There is NOTHING wrong with recycling, but the timing on this one was just a little bit off, and we can guess many New Yorkers are a bit more worried about trying to rebuild their lives than what goes in the blue or green curbside tote. But don't worry President Obama, when the cleanup from Hurricane Sandy is finished, the Northeast will have plenty of items you would consider "recyclable."