Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Selected Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 526,213	$ 546,551	$ 524,693	$ 481,710	$ 485,877	$ 503,646	$ 489,381	$ 449,892	$ 2,079,166	$ 1,928,795	$ 1,661,618
Operating income	113,952	116,011	118,716	100,589	99,430	115,714	91,387	86,913	449,269	393,444	316,147
Net income	60,921	60,284	62,900	49,223	49,417	60,913	43,995	41,680	233,327	196,005	159,660
Net income attributable to Waste Connections	$ 60,762	$ 60,084	$ 62,664	$ 49,015	$ 49,426	$ 60,706	$ 43,967	$ 41,556	$ 232,525	$ 195,655	$ 159,093
Basic income per common share attributable to Waste Connections' common stockholders	$ 0.49	$ 0.48	$ 0.50	$ 0.40	$ 0.40	$ 0.49	$ 0.36	$ 0.34	$ 1.87	$ 1.58	$ 1.31
Diluted income per common share attributable to Waste Connections' common stockholders	$ 0.49	$ 0.48	$ 0.50	$ 0.39	$ 0.40	$ 0.49	$ 0.35	$ 0.34	$ 1.86	$ 1.58	$ 1.31