Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2009 acre	Jun. 30, 2012 Entity ton
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
HDSWF purchased undeveloped land		325
Minimum number of days of prior notice for future permit hearing			120 days
Term period of Solid Waste Disposal and Operating Agreement			10 years
Term period of Solid Waste Franchise Agreement			40 months
Capitalized expenditures related to landfill development projects			$ 11,778
Capitalized expenditures company will be required to expense in future if new site permit approved			10,324
Capitalized expenditures the company will be required to expense in future if original site permit approved			1,454
Capitalized expenditures the company will be required to expense in future if site permits not approved			11,778
PHLF annual disposal of solid waste			840,000
Solid waste originated from sources outside of Solano County			650,000
Number of separate entities filed friend of court briefs			17
Aggregate settlement fee			771
Court issued final order awarding Petitioners attorneys fees	452
Amount of reduced attorney fees in court final order	411
Allocated attorney fees			50.00%
Amount of attorney fees for which PHLF and County severally liable			206
Current annual impact to pre-tax earnings resulting from restriction on imports into Solano County			5,000
Current annual impact to pre-tax earnings resulting from termination of MDSI's contracts with Madera County			2,300
Pre-tax impairment charge related to kansas landfill			17,700
Estimated annual impact on pre-tax earnings if company unable to operate the landfill			4,600
Pre-tax impairment charge related to PHLF			42,000
Expected pre-tax impairment charge related to PHLF if Measure E is ultimately ruled to be unenforceable			30,000
Maximum limit of import of solid waste			95,000
Amount of monetary damages County is seeking			2,962
Pre-judgment interest			10.00%
Period to cure the default			30 days
Notice period			90 days
Periods to file response to the County's complaint			20 days
Initial Payment			$ 23,000