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Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 45 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 2 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Jan. 08, 2014
Sep. 03, 2014
Jan. 26, 2015
Oct. 31, 2012
Oct. 01, 2008
Oct. 26, 2009
Apr. 01, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt $ 1,979,565,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt $ 2,072,975,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt   $ 1,979,565,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt              
Repayment of principal and accrued interest on debt 525,909,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt 493,560,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt 609,014,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt                
Debt issuance costs 125,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts 2,035,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts 7,174,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts                
Revolver Under Credit Facility [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Credit facility 1,200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
1,200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
  1,200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
             
Maximum amount of increase in commitments under the revolving credit facility 1,500,000,000wcn_LineOfCreditFacilityIncreasedMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
                   
Long term debt 680,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
727,100,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
  680,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
             
Amount of standby letters of credit outstanding 73,031,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
75,166,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
  73,031,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
             
Revolving credit facility maturing 2018-05                    
Commitment fee 0.20%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
0.23%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
                 
Actual leverage ratio 2.67wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
3.08wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
  2.67wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
             
Actual interest coverage ratio 7.94wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
6.33wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
  7.94wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
             
Unamortized debt issuance costs 3,632,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
    3,632,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
             
Debt issuance costs 4,722,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
                   
Revolver Under Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 677,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
720,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
  677,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
             
Interest rate on loans 1.54%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
1.67%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
  1.54%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
             
Margin rate for loans 1.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
1.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
                 
Interest rate on bond at December 31, 2014 1.54%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
1.67%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
  1.54%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
             
Revolver Under Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Required interest coverage ratio 2.75wcn_RequiredMinimumInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
                   
Revolver Under Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Required leverage ratio 3.50wcn_RequiredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                   
Term Loan Facility [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 660,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
700,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
  660,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
             
Actual leverage ratio 2.67wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
3.08wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
  2.67wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
             
Actual interest coverage ratio 7.94wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
6.33wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
  7.94wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
             
Debt principal amount               800,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
     
Maturity date Oct. 25, 2017                    
Unamortized debt issuance costs 3,809,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
    3,809,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
             
Aggregate principal amount               800,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
     
Debt issuance costs 7,370,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
                   
Term Loan Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Interest rate on loans 1.66%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
2.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
  1.66%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
             
Margin rate for loans 1.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
1.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
                 
Interest rate on bond at December 31, 2014 1.66%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
2.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
  1.66%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
             
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Required interest coverage ratio 2.75wcn_RequiredMinimumInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
                   
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | LIBOR [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Margin rate for loans 1.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
                   
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Required leverage ratio 3.50wcn_RequiredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                   
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | LIBOR [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Margin rate for loans 2.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
                   
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Revolver Under Credit Facility [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Unamortized debt issuance costs 7,441,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
    7,441,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TermLoanFacilityMember
             
Senior Notes due 2015 [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 175,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
175,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
  175,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
             
Debt principal amount                 175,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
   
Maturity date Oct. 01, 2015                    
Debt issuance costs amortization period 7 years                    
Aggregate principal amount                 175,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
   
Interest rate 6.22%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
6.22%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
  6.22%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
             
Debt issuance costs 1,026,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandFifteenMember
                   
Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 175,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
175,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
  175,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
             
Debt principal amount                   175,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
 
Maturity date Nov. 01, 2019                    
Debt issuance costs amortization period 10 years                    
Aggregate principal amount                   175,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
 
Interest rate 5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
  5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
             
Debt issuance costs 152,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandNineteenMember
                   
Senior Notes due 2016, 2018 and 2021 [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Debt principal amount                     250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenTwoThousandEighteenAndTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
Aggregate principal amount                     250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenTwoThousandEighteenAndTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
Debt issuance costs       1,489,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenTwoThousandEighteenAndTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
             
Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 100,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenMember
100,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenMember
  100,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenMember
             
Debt principal amount                     100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenMember
Maturity date Apr. 01, 2016                    
Aggregate principal amount                     100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenMember
Interest rate 3.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenMember
3.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenMember
  3.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandSixteenMember
             
Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 50,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandEighteenMember
50,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandEighteenMember
  50,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandEighteenMember
             
Debt principal amount                     50,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandEighteenMember
Maturity date Apr. 01, 2018                    
Aggregate principal amount                     50,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandEighteenMember
Interest rate 4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandEighteenMember
4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandEighteenMember
  4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandEighteenMember
             
Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 100,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
100,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
  100,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
             
Debt principal amount                     100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
Maturity date Apr. 01, 2021                    
Aggregate principal amount                     100,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
Interest rate 4.64%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
4.64%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
  4.64%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NotesTwoThousandTwentyOneMember
             
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 31,430,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TaxExemptBondsMember
33,030,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TaxExemptBondsMember
  31,430,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_TaxExemptBondsMember
             
Senior Notes [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Margin rate for loans 0.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                   
Actual leverage ratio 2.67wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
3.08wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  2.67wcn_ActualLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
             
Actual interest coverage ratio 7.94wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
6.33wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  7.94wcn_ActualInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
             
Maximum limit of aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding 1,250,000,000wcn_MaximumLimitOfAggregatePrincipalAmountOfNotesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
                   
Senior Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Required interest coverage ratio 2.75wcn_RequiredMinimumInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
                   
Prepayment of notes, minimum percentage of outstanding principal amount 5.00%wcn_PrepaymentOfDebtMinimumPercentageOfOutstandingPrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
                   
Senior Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Required leverage ratio 3.75wcn_RequiredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
                   
Swing Line Loans [Member] | Revolver Under Credit Facility [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 3,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
7,100,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
  3,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
             
Swing Line Loans [Member] | Revolver Under Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Interest rate on loans 3.63%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
3.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
  3.63%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
             
Margin rate for loans 0.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
0.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
                 
Interest rate on bond at December 31, 2014 3.63%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
3.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
  3.63%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
             
Sub Limit Swing Line Loans [Member] | Revolver Under Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Long term debt 25,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SubLimitSwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
    25,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_RevolverUnderCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_SubLimitSwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
             
New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Unamortized debt issuance costs 6,874,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
    6,874,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
             
Tehama Bond [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Repayment of principal and accrued interest on debt         205,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= wcn_TehamaBondMember
           
Tehama Bond [Member] | Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Maturity date Jun. 01, 2014                    
San Jose Bond Series 2001 A [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Repayment of principal and accrued interest on debt           1,395,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= wcn_SanJoseBondSeries2001Member
         
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Credit facility             1,200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Revolving credit term loan maximum borrowing capacity             2,300,000,000wcn_RevolvingCreditTermLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Debt principal amount             800,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Maturity date             Jan. 24, 2020        
Aggregate principal amount             800,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Required interest coverage ratio             2.75wcn_RequiredMinimumInterestCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Required leverage ratio             3.50wcn_RequiredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Reguired leverage ratio during material acquisition period             3.75wcn_ReguiredLeverageRatioDuringMaterialAcquisitionPeriod
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Revolving credit term loan maximum borrowing capacity             250,000,000wcn_RevolvingCreditTermLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Minimum [Member] | LIBOR [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Margin rate for loans             1.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
       
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member] | Maximum [Member] | LIBOR [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Margin rate for loans             1.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
       
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member] | Swing Line Loans [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Revolving credit term loan maximum borrowing capacity             $ 35,000,000wcn_RevolvingCreditTermLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member] | Swing Line Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Margin rate for loans             0.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember
       
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Revolving Credit And Term Loan Agreement [Member] | Swing Line Loans [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                      
Margin rate for loans             0.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= wcn_SwingLineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wcn_NewRevolvingCreditAndTermLoanAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember