CRANBERRY TWP — The township supervisors Tuesday night approved a new $11 million, five-year contract with Vogel Disposal to provide waste management services for residents.

The contract also stipulates yard waste and recycling collection terms for the township which, according to manager Jerry Andree, has one of the highest recycling rates in the nation, at around 40 percent of residents.

“We have highly successful recycling rates, and Vogel really provides the total package,” Andree said. “They really promote curbside recycling and have helped push our recycling rates up.”

The contract will take effect on Nov. 1, at which time residents will notice a $1.50 per month increase to each class of service.

Vogel came in as the low bidder for services, according to Andree, after a five-year contract with Waste Management ended this year.

Andree added that the township bills its residents for trash, sewer and water all in one bill, and that the township contracts out with Vogel to provide services. It's the first time in more than a year that residents' trash rates increased.

Every vehicle Vogel uses in the township will run on compressed natural gas, according to Andree, a much cleaner and more efficient fuel source for the vehicles.