Sustainable Garden Rebates on Long Island, updated April 2026

Garden Rebates, Rain Barrels, and Compost Bins (Long Island – 2026)

Program funding and deadlines change each year — and sometimes mid‑season. Information below is current to the best of our knowledge as of mid‑April 2026, based on public program pages and ReWild’s March 2026 rebate roundup. Always verify current eligibility, documentation requirements, and application dates in the links before you buy or apply.

Island‑wide (Nassau + Suffolk)

Program: Long Island Garden Rewards Program
Run by: Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC), NYSDEC, NEIWPCC
Rebate: Up to $500 for projects that make your yard more water‑friendly, including native plant gardens, rain gardens, and rain barrels.
Who qualifies: Most Nassau and Suffolk County homeowners (see program page for details and required documentation).
Status: The 2025 program opened around Earth Day and closed by late May due to high demand. The program is expected to reopen in spring 2026, but dates and details may change. Apply early once it opens.
How to apply / check status:
https://lirpc.org/garden-rewards-program

Town of North Hempstead (Nassau)

Program: Native Plant Residential Rebate Program
Run by: Town of North Hempstead, with Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District and LINPI
Rebate: Up to $350 for native plant installations in home landscapes.
Who qualifies: Town of North Hempstead residents only; usually one rebate per household, and prior‑year recipients are often not eligible.
Requirements: Simple application with garden plan, native species list, and photos of the planting area; native plants only.
Status: The 2025 program has concluded; funding is first‑come, first‑served when open. Town and partner communications say to check back in 2026 for updated information, so details for this year may change.
How to apply / learn more:
https://northhempsteadny.gov/departments/planning_environmental_protection/sustainability_programs/native_plants

Peconic Estuary watershed (Suffolk – East End)

Towns covered: Parts of Brookhaven, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, Southold, East Hampton (only properties within the Peconic Estuary watershed).
Program: Homeowner Rewards Program
Run by: Peconic Estuary Partnership (PEP)
Rebate: Up to $500 per project (or project cost if lower) for native plant gardens, rain gardens, rain barrels, and other stormwater / nitrogen‑reduction practices.
Who qualifies: Homeowners with property inside the Peconic Estuary watershed (see the map and guidance on the program site).
Requirements: Native plants only for planting projects, minimum project size for gardens (around 50 square feet), receipts required; pre‑approval is recommended.
Status: ReWild’s March 2026 “Sustainable Garden Rebates” update lists the 2026 program as open for applications, with limited funding awarded first‑come, first‑served.
How to apply:
https://www.peconicestuary.org/what-you-can-do/homeowner-rewards-program/

Other Nassau towns (Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove, etc.)

Program: No dedicated town‑level native plant rebate confirmed as of April 2026.
Option: Residents may be eligible for the Long Island Garden Rewards Program when it opens.
Note: Garden Rewards typically opens in spring and can close within weeks once funding is exhausted, so timing matters.
More info:
https://lirpc.org/garden-rewards-program

Other Suffolk towns (Babylon, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown, non‑watershed parts of Brookhaven, etc.)

Program: No dedicated town‑level native plant rebate confirmed as of April 2026.
Option: Many residents may qualify for the Long Island Garden Rewards Program, and East End residents in the watershed may qualify for PEP Homeowner Rewards.
Note: Watch Suffolk County Soil & Water, town sustainability offices, and ReWild updates for any new rebates that might launch mid‑season. Garden Rewards in particular has closed early in past years because of high demand.
More info:
https://lirpc.org/garden-rewards-program
https://www.peconicestuary.org/what-you-can-do/homeowner-rewards-program/

Water utility rebates and credits

Liberty New York Water – Rain Barrel Rebate

  • Rebate: $20 per rain barrel for Liberty New York Water residential customers.

  • Applies to: Liberty New York Water service areas on Long Island.

  • Status: Listed as active for the rate period April 1, 2024 through April 30, 2026.
    Details and application:
    https://new-york-water.libertyutilities.com/all/residential/smart-water-use/rebates--residential--new-york-water--liberty.html

Suffolk County Water Authority – WaterWise Rain Barrel Credit

  • Rebate: A bill credit (recently listed at $75) for purchasing and installing an eligible rain barrel.

  • Applies to: Residential Suffolk County Water Authority customers; approved products and limits per household apply.
    Details and application:
    https://www.scwa.com/waterwise/

Town‑level discounted compost bin and rain barrel sales

These are discounted equipment sales, not cash rebates, but they can significantly lower the cost of getting started.

Town of Brookhaven – Composter & Rain Barrel Sale

  • Offer: Discounted backyard composters, tumblers, rain barrels, and accessories via online preorder and pickup at Town Hall.

  • Status: The Summer 2026 Town of Brookhaven Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale is underway, with orders accepted in spring 2026 and pickup in early May.
    Details and ordering:
    https://brookhaven.compostersale.com

Town of Babylon – Green Homes Composter & Rain Barrel Sale

  • Offer: Discounted compost bins and rain barrels as part of the Spring 2026 Green Homes Community Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale.

  • Status: Announced April 13, 2026 as open for pre‑orders, with a scheduled pickup date at a town event.
    Details and ordering:
    https://townofbabylonny.gov/941/Compost-Bin-Rain-Barrel-Sale

Town of Hempstead – Spring 2026 Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale

  • Offer: Discounted backyard compost bins and rain barrels for Hempstead residents, ordered online and picked up at Four Towns Fireman’s Field in Merrick.

  • Status: Town and Cornell Cooperative Extension posts from March 2026 promote the Spring 2026 sale as open, with an order deadline and pickup date.
    Details and ordering:
    (Use the 2026 Hempstead sale link via LongIsland.ComposterSale.com.)

Town of Southold – Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale

  • Offer: Discounted Earth Machine compost bins and compatible rain barrels for Southold residents, ordered online and picked up locally.

  • Status: A March 23, 2026 town alert announces a Spring 2026 Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale with limited‑time ordering and a set pickup date.
    Details and ordering:
    http://southoldtownny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1052

Town of East Hampton – Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale

  • Offer: Discounted compost bins and rain barrels for East Hampton residents through the Spring 2026 East Hampton Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale.

  • Status: The sale site identifies itself as the current Spring 2026 sale and is accepting orders.
    Details and ordering:
    https://easthampton.compostersale.com

One place to check for updates

ReWild keeps updated overviews of composting, town bin and barrel sales, and the major rebate programs for sustainable gardening on Long Island.

Compost hub:
https://www.rewildlongisland.org/compost

Town bin and barrel sales roundup:
https://www.rewildlongisland.org/composter-rain-barrel

Sustainable garden rebates blog (updated March 2026):
https://www.rewildlongisland.org/blog/sustainable-rebates

Gloria Frazee