Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Minimum range of DOE index curve used in Dcf model	$ 3.75
Maximum range of DOE index curve used in Dcf model	$ 4.12
Weighted average DOE index curve used in Dcf model	$ 3.86

Weighted average Doe index curve used in DCF Model.

No definition available.

Name:	wcn_WeightedAverageOfDoeIndexCurveUsedInDcfModel
Namespace Prefix:	wcn_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant