Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 136,145	$ 12,643
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,557 and $6,617 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	185,460	176,277
Deferred income taxes	17,975	20,630
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	31,151	39,708
Total current assets	370,731	249,258
Property and equipment, net	1,460,756	1,450,469
Goodwill	1,182,101	1,116,888
Intangible assets, net	499,787	449,581
Restricted assets	31,332	30,544
Other assets, net	35,049	31,265
Total Assets	3,579,756	3,328,005
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	87,476	95,097
Book overdraft	12,306	12,169
Accrued liabilities	114,218	106,243
Deferred revenue	70,222	64,694
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable	4,581	5,899
Total current liabilities	288,803	284,102
Long-term debt and notes payable	977,524	1,172,758
Other long-term liabilities	84,449	74,324
Deferred income taxes	405,646	397,134
Total liabilities	1,756,422	1,928,318
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
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; 123,204,543 and 110,907,782 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,232	1,109
Additional paid-in capital	781,894	408,721
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,866)	(3,480)
Retained earnings	1,041,157	988,560
Total Waste Connections' equity	1,818,417	1,394,910
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	4,917	4,777
Total equity	1,823,334	1,399,687
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 3,579,756	$ 3,328,005