The Labor government has finally seen the light on providing a basic service other jurisdictions have provided for years and one they trash-talked ahead of the last territory election.

The Canberra Liberals promised a garden waste bin service if elected in 2012 and would re-sell the waste as mulch.

At the time ACT Labor claimed a third bin would be too expensive with Environment Minister Simon Corbell stating that such a service would cost $20 million a year to run.

While the government has not determined how much the new program would cost ACT Municipal Services Minister Meegan Fitzharris said it would be less that this amount because not all residents will opt into the scheme.

The announcement of the pilot scheme is a surprise turnaround from Labor five months out from the ACT election.

While some will view the decision cynically as a grab for votes it is nevertheless a sign the government is listening to the community.

The minister's office has also confirmed that household rates will not rise for those who opt into the scheme, though the opposition would argue they are on the increase regardless.

Bins for garden waste have long been touted as one way that residents can contribute to cleaning up the lakes in the territory and so the scheme complements the federal government's promise of funds for the ACT's waterways earlier this month.

If leaves and garden waste can end up in the bins rather than down the drains it will remove a considerable amount of the nutrients flowing into the lakes and contributing to nutrient buildup.

One hopes that after years of calling for a third green bin that Canberrans will be enthusiastic about opting in to the program.

It is up to the residents of Kambah and Weston Creek to make the most of the government's change of heart in the pilot to show the decision was worthwhile.