Intangible Assets Exclusive of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 379,605	$ 328,010
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, Gross	633,248	519,212
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(91,340)	(69,631)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	288,265	258,379
Intangible assets, net, exclusive of goodwill	541,908	449,581
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	253,643	191,202
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	253,643	191,202
Solid Waste Collection and Transportation Permits
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	151,505	116,160
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	151,505	116,160
Material Recycling Facility Permits
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	42,283	42,283
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	42,283	42,283
Exploration and Production Facility Permits
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	59,855	32,759
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	59,855	32,759
Long-term Franchise Agreements and Contracts
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	198,779	190,532
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(38,447)	(31,592)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	160,332	158,940
Customer Lists
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	139,354	96,501
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(43,457)	(28,475)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	95,897	68,026
Non-competition Agreement
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	9,374	9,374
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(6,815)	(6,389)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	2,559	2,985
Other Intangibles
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	32,098	31,603
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(2,621)	(3,175)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	$ 29,477	$ 28,428