Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$ 52,081us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 49,223us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(4,339)	166
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	1,664	(61)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,675)	105
Comprehensive income	49,406	49,328
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(257)	(208)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Connections	49,149us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	49,120us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts reclassified, gross	1,036	1,068
Changes in fair value, gross	(5,473)	(294)
Fuel [Member] \| Commodity Contract [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts reclassified, gross	614	(323)
Changes in fair value, gross	$ (516)	$ (285)

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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