Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 36,560	$ 9,873
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,215 and $5,084 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	185,037	152,156
Deferred income taxes	18,923	20,130
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	30,438	33,402
Total current assets	270,958	215,561
Property and equipment, net	1,421,626	1,337,476
Goodwill	1,107,647	927,852
Intangible assets, net	454,475	381,475
Restricted assets	28,555	30,441
Other assets, net	28,744	23,179
Total Assets	3,312,005	2,915,984
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	86,017	85,252
Book overdraft	11,459	12,396
Accrued liabilities	117,473	99,075
Deferred revenue	62,788	54,157
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable	5,302	2,657
Total current liabilities	283,039	253,537
Long-term debt and notes payable	1,174,500	909,978
Other long-term liabilities	72,845	47,637
Deferred income taxes	381,500	334,414
Total liabilities	1,911,884	1,545,566
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Equity:
Preferred stock: $0.01 par value per share; 7,500,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
Common stock: $0.01 par value per share; 250,000,000 and 150,000,000 shares authorized; 111,864,328 and 113,950,081 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	1,119	1,139
Additional paid-in capital	437,096	509,218
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,312)	(3,095)
Retained earnings	960,671	858,887
Total Waste Connections' equity	1,395,574	1,366,149
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	4,547	4,269
Total equity	1,400,121	1,370,418
Total Liabilities And Stockholders' Equity	$ 3,312,005	$ 2,915,984