Avalon Council has given final approval to a new five-year garbage collection contract, and also explained Tuesday why Avalon residents will be paying more next year than will Bellevue residents.

Borough manager Harry Dilmore said that although the base rate is the same for all municipalities that are part of the Quaker Valley Council of Governments (QVCOG) negotiated contract with Waste Management, Avalon has decided to turn over billing to the contractor. Waste Management charges about $20 more to handle billing, he said.

Avalon also joined other local communities in approving the new electronic waste recycling and hazardous materials collection program.