Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 21,404	$ 13,591
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,678 and $7,348 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	254,858	234,001
Deferred income taxes	41,964	41,275
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	30,460	39,638
Total current assets	348,686	328,505
Property and equipment, net	2,446,043	2,450,649
Goodwill	1,675,726	1,675,154
Intangible assets, net	515,176	527,871
Restricted assets	38,171	35,921
Other assets, net	45,434	46,152
Total Assets	5,069,236	5,064,252
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	115,623	105,394
Book overdraft	12,475	12,456
Accrued liabilities	131,216	119,026
Deferred revenue	77,927	71,917
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable	4,031	5,385
Total current liabilities	373,678	345,018
Long-term debt and notes payable	1,931,262	2,067,590
Other long-term liabilities	84,699	77,035
Deferred income taxes	509,110	501,692
Total liabilities	2,925,616	3,016,045
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 shares authorized; 124,116,793 and 123,566,487 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1,241	1,236
Additional paid-in capital	808,849	796,085
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,480)	(1,869)
Retained earnings	1,330,813	1,247,630
Total Waste Connections' equity	2,138,423	2,043,082
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	5,197	5,125
Total equity	2,143,620	2,048,207
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	5,069,236	5,064,252
Current Liabilities [Member]
Current liabilities:
Contingent considerations	32,406	30,840
Other Long-term Liabilities [Member}
Current liabilities:
Contingent considerations	$ 26,867	$ 24,710