The campaign is aimed at encouraging about 1,300 homes in the north of the parish to separate their waste for doorstep collection.

The trial is expected to last six months and may be extended to other areas of the island.

More recycling is being encouraged by the States to try and alleviate the growing pressure on the Mont Cuet rubbish tip.

Coloured sacks

Current estimates say the tip will be full by 2013.

Early next month every household on a designated route will be asked to separate out cardboard, glass, paper, tins, cans and textiles from their waste and place it in different coloured sacks for collection by the States Works Department.

Environment Minister Bernard Flouquet said the success of the scheme would be dependent on the will of those taking part.

"We need to engage the members of the community because it's they that are the very individuals who will make this happen," he said.

"We are saying 'recycle for Guernsey' and I hope people take notice of what we are trying to do."