Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 23,212		$ 12,643
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,548 and $6,617 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	235,762		176,277
Deferred income taxes	45,798		20,630
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	57,714		39,708
Total current assets	362,486		249,258
Property and equipment, net	2,457,606		1,450,469
Goodwill	1,636,557		1,116,888
Intangible assets, net	541,908		449,581
Restricted assets	34,889		30,544
Other assets, net	42,580		31,265
Total Assets	5,076,026	[1]	3,328,005	[1]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	130,260		95,097
Book overdraft	12,567		12,169
Accrued liabilities	121,829		97,020
Deferred revenue	69,930		64,694
Current portion of contingent consideration	49,018		8,923
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable	33,968		5,899
Total current liabilities	417,572		283,802
Long-term debt and notes payable	2,204,967		1,172,758
Long-term portion of contingent consideration	30,346		22,573
Other long-term liabilities	75,129		52,051
Deferred income taxes	464,882		397,134
Total liabilities	3,192,896		1,928,318
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
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; 123,019,494 and 110,907,782 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	1,230		1,109
Additional paid-in capital	779,904		408,721
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,165)		(3,480)
Retained earnings	1,103,188		988,560
Total Waste Connections' equity	1,878,157		1,394,910
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	4,973		4,777
Total equity	1,883,130		1,399,687
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 5,076,026		$ 3,328,005

[1] Goodwill is included within total assets for each of the Company's four operating segments.