Total Reported Revenues by Service Line (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	$ 1,894,377		$ 1,723,978		$ 1,513,542
Less: intercompany elimination	(232,759)	[1]	(218,612)	[1]	(193,785)	[1]
Total revenues	1,661,618		1,505,366		1,319,757
Solid Waste Collection
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	1,176,333		1,069,065		951,327
Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	524,861		497,584		456,741
E&P Waste Treatment, Disposal and Recovery
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	61,350		12,746		1,500
Solid Waste Recycling
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	81,512		96,417		61,062
Intermodal and Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	$ 50,321		$ 48,166		$ 42,912

[1] Intercompany revenues reflect each segment's total intercompany sales, including intercompany sales within a segment and between segments. Transactions within and between segments are generally made on a basis intended to reflect the market value of the service.