Organic Waste Program

The Village has established an organic waste program where residents may bring plant matter to be composted at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Compostable materials are considered yard waste, such as leaves, trimmings and brush. In order to drop off compost materials, you must be a Village resident and obtain a compost permit for non-commercial use. Any questions regarding the compost facility call 518-891-4160.

In September 2020, the village earned the designation of Bronze Level Certified Climate Smart Community. This is one of three level designations that a New York State Climate Smart Community can earn. The village is the first Climate Smart Community in the North Country to be recognized for their progress at this level. In May 2018, the Village Board of Trustees adopted the New York State Climate Smart Communities (CSC) pledge. The village pledged to, among other things: inventory its emissions, set goals and make a plan for climate action; decrease energy use; shift to clean, renewable energy; implement climate-smart land use and support a green innovation economy. This work has been undertaken through the appointed Climate Smart Communities Task Force. Learn more about the CSC program and follow Task Force's progress here.

The Village of Saranac Lake became a designated Clean Energy Community in 2017 after completing four high-impact to reduce energy use.  The Village continues to work toward completing additional high impact actions.  Learn more about these initiatives on the Clean Energy Communities project page.

Clean Energy for Heating

The Village has reduced fossil fuel consumption for heating in some municipal buildings by using clean energy sources.  The Waste Water Treatment Plant uses a digester boiler that is powered by methane produced on site.  The municiply-owned building at 3 Main Street uses geothermal energy from the river to heat and cool the building, which is supplemented with fuel oil during the coldest months. 

EV Charging Station

The Village of Saranac Lake has installed an electric vehicle charging station for public use in the municipal parking lot at 3 Main St.  Clean vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants that cause smog and acid rain.

LED Interior Lighting

Interior lighting has been converted to energy efficient LED technology in all primary municipal buildings.  Lights in smaller buildings are converted to LED as the bulbs need to be replaced.  LED lighting uses 1/6 of the energy as incandescent lighting.

The Village of Saranac Lake is working to develop a plan for converting street lights to energy efficient LED technology. The village has been awarded a $50,000 grant from NYSERDA towards the project.  By replacing conventional street lights with energy efficient LED technology, street light energy use can be reduced by as much as 65%, generating cost savings and significant emission reductions. 

Walkable Community

The Village is committed to developing and maintaining a safe, reliable, efficient and connected multimodal transportation system so that residents and visitors can walk to and from community destinations.  The Village has policies and plans to ensure that streets are designed and maintained for all users.  The Village received a Walk Friendly Community Award in recognition of the effort put forth to make Saranac Lake a walkable community.