Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009 Acre	Sep. 30, 2011 ton Segment Business Agreement Landfill Market Facility Station Operation	Sep. 30, 2011	May 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
HDSWF purchased undeveloped land		325
Capital expenditures related to landfill development project			$ 11,772	$ 11,772
Capitalized expenditures the Company will be required to expense in future if new site permit approved			10,318	10,318
Capitalized expenditures the Company will be required to expense in future if original site permit approved			1,454	1,454
Capitalized expenditures the Company will be required to expense in future if site permits not approved			11,772	11,772
Pre-tax impairment charge related to Kansas landfill			15,000	15,000
Estimated annual impact on pre-tax earnings if company unable to operate the landfill				4,000
Net back pay, without interest for all alleged discriminatees	60.00%
Maximum limit of import of solid waste			95,000
PHLF annual disposal of solid waste			670,800
Solid waste originated from sources outside of Solano County			562,300
Aggregate settlement fee			771
Court issued tentative order awarding Petitioners attorneys fees					452
Amount of reduced attorney fees in court final order					411
Allocated attorney fees					50.00%
Amount of attorney fees for which PHLF and County severally liable			206	206
Current annual impact to pre-tax earnings resulting from restriction on imports into Solano County			6,000
Time period to file answer to the petition			30 days
Pre-tax impairment charge related to PHLF			39,000
Expected pre-tax impairment charge related to PHLF if Measure E is ultimately ruled to be unenforceable			24,000
Initial payment			$ 23,000	$ 23,000