Segment Reporting (Total Reported Revenues by Service Line) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 546,551		$ 503,646		$ 1,552,953		$ 1,442,918
Intercompany Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	(68,157)	[1]	(65,704)	[1]	(193,543)	[1]	(189,311)	[1]
Operating Segments [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	614,708		569,350		1,746,496		1,632,229
Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste Collection [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	333,917		312,872		962,683		912,488
Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	167,129		158,142		461,605		434,513
Operating Segments [Member] | E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	86,085		68,605		242,049		194,720
Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste Recycling [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	14,973		18,402		44,713		55,806
Operating Segments [Member] | Intermodal and Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 12,604		$ 11,329		$ 35,446		$ 34,702

[1] Intercompany revenues reflect each segment’s total intercompany sales, including intercompany sales within a segment and between segments.  Transactions within and between segments are generally made on a basis intended to reflect the market value of the service.