Consolidated Statements of Equity and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Comprehensive Income	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 1,261,997		$ 798	$ 661,555	$ (23,937)	$ 622,913	$ 668
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2008			119,763,358
Vesting of restricted stock units			3	(3)
Vesting of restricted stock units, shares			410,461
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units	(2,557)		(1)	(2,556)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units, shares			(138,733)
Equity-based compensation	9,336			9,336
Exercise of stock options and warrants	15,397		8	15,389
Exercise of stock options and warrants, shares			1,236,780
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation	4,054			4,054
Repurchase of common stock	(62,624)		(22)	(62,602)
Repurchase of common stock, shares			(3,373,242)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes	14,416				14,416
Changes in fair value of swaps, net of taxes	4,629				4,629
Fair value of noncontrolling interest associated with business acquired	1,577						1,577
Net income	110,811	110,811				109,825	986
Other comprehensive income (loss)	30,743	30,743
Income tax effect of other comprehensive (income) loss	(11,698)	(11,698)
Comprehensive income		129,856
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(986)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Connections		128,870
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	1,357,036	0	786	625,173	(4,892)	732,738	3,231
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2009			117,898,624
Stock split			394			(394)
Vesting of restricted stock units			5	(5)
Vesting of restricted stock units, shares			511,196
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units	(3,783)		(2)	(3,781)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units, shares			(175,776)
Equity-based compensation	11,331			11,331
Exercise of stock options and warrants	33,074		25	33,049
Exercise of stock options and warrants, shares			2,572,195
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation	11,997			11,997
Repurchase of common stock	(166,320)		(69)	(166,251)
Repurchase of common stock, shares			(6,889,017)
Cash dividends on common stock	(8,561)					(8,561)
Reacquisition of equity component resulting from conversion of 2026 Convertible Senior Notes	(2,295)			(2,295)
Issuance of shares in connection with conversion of 2026 Convertible Senior Notes, Shares			32,859
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes	8,050				8,050
Changes in fair value of swaps, net of taxes	(6,253)				(6,253)
Net income	136,142	136,142				135,104	1,038
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,873	2,873
Income tax effect of other comprehensive (income) loss	(1,076)	(1,076)
Comprehensive income		137,939
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1,038)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Connections		136,901
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,370,418	0	1,139	509,218	(3,095)	858,887	4,269
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010	113,950,081		113,950,081
Vesting of restricted stock units			6	(6)
Vesting of restricted stock units, shares			545,223
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units	(5,511)		(2)	(5,509)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units, shares			(186,811)
Equity-based compensation	11,879			11,879
Exercise of stock options and warrants	5,159		4	5,155
Exercise of stock options and warrants, shares			407,012
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation	4,763			4,763
Repurchase of common stock	(116,817)		(38)	(116,779)
Repurchase of common stock, shares			(3,807,723)
Cash dividends on common stock	(35,566)					(35,566)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes	934				934
Changes in fair value of swaps, net of taxes	(1,319)				(1,319)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(675)						(675)
Fair value of noncontrolling interest associated with business acquired	251						251
Net income	166,171	166,171				165,239	932
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(621)	(621)
Income tax effect of other comprehensive (income) loss	236	236
Comprehensive income		165,786
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(932)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Connections		164,854
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,399,687	$ 0	$ 1,109	$ 408,721	$ (3,480)	$ 988,560	$ 4,777
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011	110,907,782		110,907,782