Net Income Per Share Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 42,415	$ 44,413	$ 73,719	$ 80,952
Denominator:
Basic shares outstanding	123,466,890	113,509,668	119,327,512	113,514,439
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants	315,329	451,173	327,538	463,899
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units	245,398	347,869	296,989	376,641
Diluted shares outstanding	124,027,617	114,308,710	119,952,039	114,354,979
Net Income Per Share Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Stock options and warrants to purchase common stock shares	72,324	1,266	72,324	1,266