Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 14,353		$ 13,591
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,175 and $7,348 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	259,969		234,001
Deferred income taxes	49,508		41,275
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	42,314		39,638
Total current assets	366,144		328,505
Property and equipment, net	2,594,205		2,450,649
Goodwill	1,693,789		1,675,154
Intangible assets, net	509,995		527,871
Restricted assets	40,841		35,921
Other assets, net	45,057		46,152
Total assets	5,250,031	[1]	5,064,252	[1]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	120,717		105,394
Book overdraft	12,446		12,456
Accrued liabilities	120,947		119,026
Deferred revenue	80,915		71,917
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable	3,649		5,385
Total current liabilities	360,311		345,018
Long-term debt and notes payable	1,975,916		2,067,590
Other long-term liabilities	92,900		77,035
Deferred income taxes	538,635		501,692
Total liabilities	3,016,290		3,016,045
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
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; 123,984,527 and 123,566,487 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	1,240		1,236
Additional paid-in capital	811,289		796,085
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,593)		(1,869)
Retained earnings	1,421,249		1,247,630
Total Waste Connections' equity	2,228,185		2,043,082
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	5,556		5,125
Total equity	2,233,741		2,048,207
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,250,031		5,064,252
Current Liabilities [Member]
Current liabilities:
Contingent considerations	21,637		30,840
Other Long-term Liabilities [Member}
Current liabilities:
Contingent considerations	$ 48,528		$ 24,710

[1] Goodwill is included within total assets for each of the Company’s four operating segments.