10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

Or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                     to                    

Commission file number 1-31507

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	94-3283464
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Waterway Plaza Two, Suite 400

The Woodlands, TX 77380

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(832) 442-2200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock:

As of April 15, 2013:             123,418,612 shares of common stock

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited)
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets		1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income		2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income		3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity		4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows		6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		29
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		47
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		49
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		50
Item 6.	Exhibits		50
Signatures			51
Exhibit Index			52

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	14,280		$	23,212
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,491 and $6,548 at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively		219,915			235,762
Deferred income taxes		36,096			45,798
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		32,799			57,714
Total current assets		303,090			362,486
Property and equipment, net		2,436,035			2,457,606
Goodwill		1,637,339			1,636,557
Intangible assets, net		535,462			541,908
Restricted assets		35,002			34,889
Other assets, net		42,875			42,580
	$	4,989,803		$	5,076,026
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	118,237		$	130,260
Book overdraft		12,549			12,567
Accrued liabilities		118,193			121,829
Deferred revenue		68,850			69,930
Current portion of contingent consideration		49,136			49,018
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable		35,182			33,968
Total current liabilities		402,147			417,572
Long-term debt and notes payable		2,096,171			2,204,967
Long-term portion of contingent consideration		30,660			30,346
Other long-term liabilities		73,716			75,129
Deferred income taxes		472,436			464,882
Total liabilities		3,075,130			3,192,896
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
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; 123,418,612 and 123,019,494 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively		1,234			1,230
Additional paid-in capital		781,073			779,904
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(4,967	)		(6,165	)
Retained earnings		1,132,434			1,103,188
Total Waste Connections’ equity		1,909,774			1,878,157
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries		4,899			4,973
Total equity		1,914,673			1,883,130
	$	4,989,803		$	5,076,026

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 1

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Revenues	$	449,892		$	376,430
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations		251,963			216,681
Selling, general and administrative		53,251			51,174
Depreciation		51,649			37,173
Amortization of intangibles		6,438			5,631
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets		(322	)		715
Operating income		86,913			65,056
Interest expense		(19,012	)		(12,285	)
Other income, net		742			819
Income before income tax provision		68,643			53,590
Income tax provision		(26,963	)		(22,151	)
Net income		41,680			31,439
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(124	)		(136	)
Net income attributable to Waste Connections	$	41,556		$	31,303
Earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.34		$	0.27
Diluted	$	0.34		$	0.27
Shares used in the per share calculations:
Basic		123,380,799			115,188,134
Diluted		123,904,929			115,876,461
Cash dividends per common share	$	0.10		$	0.09

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 2

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Net income	$	41,680		$	31,439
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense		1,379			1,142
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations		—			(1,129	)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps		(39	)		(1,005	)
Changes in fair value of the fuel hedge		591			1,473
Other comprehensive income before tax		1,931			481
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income		(733	)		(183	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		1,198			298
Comprehensive income		42,878			31,737
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(124	)		(136	)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Connections	$	42,754		$	31,601

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 3

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

	Waste Connections’ Equity
	Common Stock						Additional Paid-In			Accumulated Other Comprehensive			Retained			Noncontrolling
	Shares			Amount			Capital			Income (Loss)			Earnings			Interests			Total
Balances at December 31, 2012		123,019,494		$	1,230		$	779,904		$	(6,165	)	$	1,103,188		$	4,973		$	1,883,130
Vesting of restricted stock units		470,559			4			(4	)		—			—			—			—
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units		(148,219	)		(1	)		(5,279	)		—			—			—			(5,280	)
Equity-based compensation		—			—			3,594			—			—			—			3,594
Exercise of stock options and warrants		76,778			1			760			—			—			—			761
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation		—			—			2,098			—			—			—			2,098
Cash dividends on common stock		—			—			—			—			(12,310	)		—			(12,310	)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes		—			—			—			852			—			—			852
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes		—			—			—			346			—			—			346
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			—			(198	)		(198	)
Net income		—			—			—			—			41,556			124			41,680
Balances at March 31, 2013		123,418,612		$	1,234		$	781,073		$	(4,967	)	$	1,132,434		$	4,899		$	1,914,673

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 4

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

	Waste Connections’ Equity
	Common Stock						Additional Paid-In			Accumulated Other Comprehensive			Retained			Noncontrolling
	Shares			Amount			Capital			Income (Loss)			Earnings			Interests			Total
Balances at December 31, 2011		110,907,782		$	1,109		$	408,721		$	(3,480	)	$	988,560		$	4,777		$	1,399,687
Vesting of restricted stock units		574,949			6			(6	)		—			—			—			—
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units		(184,881	)		(2	)		(5,902	)		—			—			—			(5,904	)
Equity-based compensation		—			—			7,596			—			—			—			7,596
Exercise of stock options and warrants		57,565			1			529			—			—			—			530
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs of $500		12,000,000			120			369,340			—			—			—			369,460
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation		—			—			3,005			—			—			—			3,005
Cash dividends on common stock		—			—			—			—			(10,010	)		—			(10,010	)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes		—			—			—			8			—			—			8
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes		—			—			—			290			—			—			290
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			—			—			—			—			(95	)		(95	)
Net income		—			—			—			—			31,303			136			31,439
Balances at March 31, 2012		123,355,415		$	1,234		$	783,283		$	(3,182	)	$	1,009,853		$	4,818		$	1,796,006

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 5

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	41,680		$	31,439
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets		(322	)		715
Depreciation		51,649			37,173
Amortization of intangibles		6,438			5,631
Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions		16,524			12,101
Amortization of debt issuance costs		858			415
Equity-based compensation		3,594			7,596
Interest income on restricted assets		(113	)		(112	)
Interest accretion		1,293			836
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation		(2,098	)		(3,005	)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions		13,455			7,792
Net cash provided by operating activities		132,958			100,581
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(138,908	)
Proceeds from adjustment to acquisition consideration		18,000			—
Capital expenditures for property and equipment		(36,905	)		(27,953	)
Proceeds from disposal of assets		723			753
Other		(926	)		(1,861	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(19,108	)		(167,969	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt		26,500			184,000
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt		(134,083	)		(474,865	)
Payment of contingent consideration		(229	)		(3,528	)
Change in book overdraft		(17	)		321
Proceeds from option and warrant exercises		761			530
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation		2,098			3,005
Payments for cash dividends		(12,310	)		(10,010	)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units		(5,280	)		(5,904	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(198	)		(95	)
Debt issuance costs		(24	)		—
Proceeds from common stock offering, net		—			369,460
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(122,782	)		62,914
Net decrease in cash and equivalents		(8,932	)		(4,474	)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period		23,212			12,643
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	14,280		$	8,169
Non-cash financing activity:
Liabilities assumed and notes payable issued to sellers of businesses acquired	$	—		$	9,974

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 6

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements relate to Waste Connections, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“WCI” or the “Company”) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of net income, comprehensive income, cash flows and equity include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair statement in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Examples include accounting for landfills, self-insurance accruals, income taxes, allocation of acquisition purchase price and asset impairments. An additional area that involves estimation is when the Company estimates the amount of potential exposure it may have with respect to litigation, claims and assessments in accordance with the accounting guidance on contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that the Company uses in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

2. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component. In addition, it requires entities to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The amounts required to be disclosed under this guidance are disclosed in Notes 10 and 13.

3. RECLASSIFICATION

Certain amounts reported in the Company’s prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2013 presentation.

Page 7

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

4. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted assets, trade payables, debt instruments, contingent consideration obligations, interest rate swaps and a fuel hedge. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying values of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted assets, trade payables and contingent consideration are considered to be representative of their respective fair values. The carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments, excluding certain notes as listed in the table below, approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, based on current borrowing rates, current remaining average life to maturity and borrower credit quality for similar types of borrowing arrangements, and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt instruments where the carrying values do not approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, are as follows:

	Carrying Value at				Fair Value* at
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
6.22% Senior Notes due 2015	$	175,000	$	175,000	$	192,645	$	193,949
3.30% Senior Notes due 2016	$	100,000	$	100,000	$	103,132	$	103,068
4.00% Senior Notes due 2018	$	50,000	$	50,000	$	52,601	$	52,476
5.25% Senior Notes due 2019	$	175,000	$	175,000	$	195,630	$	195,584
4.64% Senior Notes due 2021	$	100,000	$	100,000	$	107,494	$	107,418

* Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is based on quotes of bonds with similar ratings in similar industries.

For details on the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps, fuel hedge and restricted assets, refer to Note 12.

5. LANDFILL ACCOUNTING

At March 31, 2013, the Company owned or operated 42 municipal solid waste (“MSW”) landfills, five exploration and production (“E&P”) waste landfills, which only accept E&P waste, and seven non-MSW landfills, which only accept construction and demolition, industrial and other non-putrescible waste. At March 31, 2013, the Company owned 43 landfills, and operated, but did not own, six landfills under life-of-site operating agreements and five landfills under limited-term operating agreements. The Company’s landfills had site costs with a net book value of $1,645,251 at March 31, 2013. For the Company’s landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements and life-of-site operating agreements, the owner of the property (generally a municipality) usually owns the permit and the Company operates the landfill for a contracted term. Where the contracted term is not the life of the landfill, the property owner is generally responsible for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations. The Company is responsible for all final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities at five of the six landfills that it operates under life-of-site operating agreements.

The Company’s internal and third-party engineers perform surveys at least annually to estimate the remaining disposal capacity at its landfills. Many of the Company’s existing landfills have the potential for expanded disposal capacity beyond the amount currently permitted. The Company’s landfill depletion rates are based on the remaining disposal capacity, considering both permitted and probable expansion airspace, at the landfills it owns, and certain landfills it operates, but does not own, under life-of-site agreements. The Company’s landfill depletion rate is based on the term of the operating agreement at its operated landfill that has capitalized expenditures. Expansion airspace consists of additional disposal capacity being pursued through means of an expansion that has not yet been permitted. Expansion airspace that meets certain criteria is included in the estimate of total landfill airspace.

Page 8

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

Based on remaining permitted capacity as of March 31, 2013, and projected annual disposal volumes, the average remaining landfill life for the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is estimated to be approximately 37 years. As of March 31, 2013, the Company is seeking to expand permitted capacity at eight of its owned landfills and two landfills that it operates under life-of-site operating agreements, and considers the achievement of these expansions to be probable. Although the Company cannot be certain that all future expansions will be permitted as designed, the average remaining life, when considering remaining permitted capacity, probable expansion capacity and projected annual disposal volume, of the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is approximately 46 years, with lives ranging from approximately 6 to 240 years.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company expensed $18,399 and $9,540, respectively, or an average of $4.22 and $2.91 per ton consumed, respectively, related to landfill depletion at owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements.

The Company reserves for final capping, closure and post-closure maintenance obligations at the landfills it owns and five of the six landfills it operates under life-of-site operating agreements. The Company calculates the net present value of its final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities by estimating the total obligation in current dollars, inflating the obligation based upon the expected date of the expenditure and discounting the inflated total to its present value using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Any changes in expectations that result in an upward revision to the estimated undiscounted cash flows are treated as a new liability and are inflated and discounted at rates reflecting current market conditions. Any changes in expectations that result in a downward revision (or no revision) to the estimated undiscounted cash flows result in a liability that is inflated and discounted at rates reflecting the market conditions at the time the cash flows were originally estimated. This policy results in the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities being recorded in “layers.” The Company’s discount rate assumption for purposes of computing 2013 and 2012 “layers” for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations was 5.75% for each year, which reflects the Company’s long-term cost of borrowing as of the end of 2012 and 2011. The Company’s inflation rate assumption is 2.5% for the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012. The resulting final capping, closure and post-closure obligations are recorded on the balance sheet along with an offsetting addition to site costs which is amortized to depletion expense as the remaining landfill airspace is consumed. Interest is accreted on the recorded liability using the corresponding discount rate. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company expensed $707 and $612, respectively, or an average of $0.16 and $0.19 per ton consumed, respectively, related to final capping, closure and post-closure accretion expense.

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liability balance from December 31, 2012 to March 31, 2013:

Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at December 31, 2012	$	46,473
Adjustments to final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities		(3,081	)
Liabilities incurred		852
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations		707
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at March 31, 2013	$	44,951

The Adjustments to final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities primarily consisted of increases in estimated airspace at three of the Company’s landfills at which expansions are being pursued or have been granted and a decrease in estimated closure costs at one of the Company’s landfills, partially offset by revisions in engineering estimates and an increase in estimates of annual tonnage consumption at two of the Company’s landfills. The Company performs its annual review of its cost and capacity estimates in the first quarter of each year.

Page 9

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

At March 31, 2013, $32,564 of the Company’s restricted assets balance was for purposes of securing its performance of future final capping, closure and post-closure obligations.

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
Revolver under credit facility, bearing interest ranging from 1.47% to 4.25%*	$	690,000		$	787,000
Term loan facility, bearing interest ranging from 2.20% to 2.70%*		790,000			800,000
2015 Notes, bearing interest at 6.22%		175,000			175,000
2016 Notes, bearing interest at 3.30%		100,000			100,000
2018 Notes, bearing interest at 4.00%		50,000			50,000
2019 Notes, bearing interest at 5.25%		175,000			175,000
2021 Notes, bearing interest at 4.64%		100,000			100,000
Tax-exempt bonds, bearing interest ranging from 0.12% to 0.24%*		35,655			35,655
Notes payable to sellers and other third parties, bearing interest at 2.5% to 10.9%*		15,698			16,280
		2,131,353			2,238,935
Less – current portion		(35,182	)		(33,968	)
	$	2,096,171		$	2,204,967

* Interest rates in the table above represent the range of interest rates incurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2013.

7. ACQUISITIONS

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company did not acquire any businesses.

Cash consideration for the 2012 acquisition of the business of R360 Environmental Solutions, Inc. (“R360”) included payment for the estimated net working capital of $18,906, as defined in the acquisition agreement, which was subject to final adjustment subsequent to the close of the acquisition. In March 2013, Waste Connections received $18,000 from the former owners of R360 due to the final adjustment to the net working capital that was estimated at the closing date.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred $473 and $1,777, respectively, of acquisition-related costs. These expenses are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.

Page 10

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at March 31, 2013:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts	$	198,768	$	(40,400	)	$	158,368
Customer lists		139,354		(47,630	)		91,724
Non-competition agreements		9,374		(6,917	)		2,457
Other		32,098		(2,828	)		29,270
		379,594		(97,775	)		281,819
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Solid waste collection and transportation permits		151,505		—			151,505
Material recycling facility permits		42,283		—			42,283
E&P facility permits		59,855		—			59,855
		253,643		—			253,643
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill	$	633,237	$	(97,775	)	$	535,462

Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at December 31, 2012:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts	$	198,779	$	(38,447	)	$	160,332
Customer lists		139,354		(43,457	)		95,897
Non-competition agreements		9,374		(6,815	)		2,559
Other		32,098		(2,621	)		29,477
		379,605		(91,340	)		288,265
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Solid waste collection and transportation permits		151,505		—			151,505
Material recycling facility permits		42,283		—			42,283
E&P facility permits		59,855		—			59,855
		253,643		—			253,643
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill	$	633,248	$	(91,340	)	$	541,908

Estimated future amortization expense for the next five years of finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:

For the year ending December 31, 2013	$	25,061
For the year ending December 31, 2014	$	24,372
For the year ending December 31, 2015	$	23,758
For the year ending December 31, 2016	$	19,803
For the year ending December 31, 2017	$	17,831

Page 11

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

9. SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company’s revenues include the collection, transfer, recycling and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste and the treatment, recovery and disposal of non-hazardous E&P waste. No single contract or customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total revenues at the consolidated or reportable segment level during the periods presented.

Prior to October 2012, the Company managed its operations through three geographic operating segments which were also its reportable segments. In October 2012, as a result of the R360 acquisition, the Company realigned its reporting structure and created a fourth operating segment, the E&P group, which includes the majority of the Company’s E&P waste treatment and disposal operations. As a result, the Company’s three geographic operating segments and its E&P group comprise the Company’s reportable segments. Additionally, in January 2013, the Company transferred an E&P operation in Louisiana, owned by the Company prior to the R360 acquisition, from its Central region to its E&P group. Each operating segment is responsible for managing several vertically integrated operations, which are comprised of districts. The segment information presented herein reflects the addition of the new E&P group and the transfer of the Company’s E&P operation in Louisiana to the E&P group. Under the current structure, the Company’s Western Region is comprised of operating locations in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and western Wyoming; the Company’s Central Region is comprised of operating locations in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and eastern Wyoming; and the Company’s Eastern Region is comprised of operating locations in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The E&P group is comprised of the Company’s E&P operations in Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming and along the Gulf of Mexico.

The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) evaluates operating segment profitability and determines resource allocations based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is EBITDA. The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and other income (expense). EBITDA is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The Company’s management uses EBITDA in the evaluation of segment operating performance as it is a profit measure that is generally within the control of the operating segments. A reconciliation of EBITDA to Income before income tax provision is included at the end of this Note 9.

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, is shown in the following tables:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Gross Revenues		Intercompany Revenues(b)			Net Revenues		EBITDA(c)
Western	$	216,345	$	(23,194	)	$	193,151	$	58,576
Central		127,963		(13,370	)		114,593		40,238
Eastern		105,430		(17,660	)		87,770		25,881
E&P		57,021		(2,643	)		54,378		22,587
Corporate(a)		—		—			—		(2,604	)
	$	506,759	$	(56,867	)	$	449,892	$	144,678

Page 12

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012	Gross Revenues		Intercompany Revenues(b)			Net Revenues		EBITDA(c)
Western	$	204,681	$	(24,021	)	$	180,660	$	53,802
Central		116,913		(13,084	)		103,829		35,450
Eastern		107,158		(18,121	)		89,037		24,534
E&P		2,904		—			2,904		1,932
Corporate(a)		—		—			—		(7,143	)
	$	431,656	$	(55,226	)	$	376,430	$	108,575

(a) Corporate functions include accounting, legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, training and other administrative functions. Amounts reflected are net of allocations to the four operating segments.

(b) 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.

(c) For those items included in the determination of EBITDA, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following tables show changes in goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, by reportable segment:

	Western		Central			Eastern		E&P		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	373,143	$	430,412		$	380,561	$	452,441	$	1,636,557
Goodwill transferred		—		(9,196	)		—		9,196		—
Goodwill acquired		—		1			24		757		782
Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	373,143	$	421,217		$	380,585	$	462,394	$	1,637,339
	Western		Central			Eastern		E&P		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	313,038	$	424,223		$	379,627	$	—	$	1,116,888
Goodwill acquired		56,747		2,867			23		—		59,637
Goodwill divested		—		(496	)		—		—		(496	)
Balance as of March 31, 2012	$	369,785	$	426,594		$	379,650	$	—	$	1,176,029

The Company has no accumulated impairment losses associated with goodwill.

Page 13

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

A reconciliation of the Company’s primary measure of segment profitability (EBITDA) to Income before income tax provision in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income is as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Western segment EBITDA	$	58,576		$	53,802
Central segment EBITDA		40,238			35,450
Eastern segment EBITDA		25,881			24,534
E&P segment EBITDA		22,587			1,932
Subtotal reportable segments		147,282			115,718
Unallocated corporate overhead		(2,604	)		(7,143	)
Depreciation		(51,649	)		(37,173	)
Amortization of intangibles		(6,438	)		(5,631	)
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets		322			(715	)
Interest expense		(19,012	)		(12,285	)
Other income, net		742			819
Income before income tax provision	$	68,643		$	53,590

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the Company’s total reported revenues by service line and with intercompany eliminations:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Solid waste collection	$	293,144		$	277,088
Solid waste disposal and transfer		122,772			117,739
E&P waste treatment, disposal and recovery		59,931			4,256
Solid waste recycling		18,794			21,215
Intermodal and other		12,118			11,358
		506,759			431,656
Less: intercompany elimination		(56,867	)		(55,226	)
Total revenues	$	449,892		$	376,430

10. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. All of the Company’s derivatives have been designated as cash flow hedges; therefore, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of derivatives will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of derivatives will be immediately recognized in earnings. The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Page 14

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

One of the Company’s objectives for utilizing derivative instruments is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to changes in the variable interest rates of certain borrowings issued under its revolving credit facility. The Company’s strategy to achieve that objective involves entering into interest rate swaps that are specifically designated to the Company’s revolving credit facility and accounted for as cash flow hedges.

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative instruments included three interest rate swap agreements as follows:

Date Entered	Notional Amount		Fixed Interest Rate Paid*			Variable Interest Rate Received	Effective Date	Expiration Date
March 2009	$	175,000		2.85	%	1-month LIBOR	February 2011	February 2014
August 2011	$	150,000		0.80	%	1-month LIBOR	April 2012	January 2015
December 2011	$	175,000		1.60	%	1-month LIBOR	February 2014	February 2017

* plus applicable margin.

Another of the Company’s objectives for utilizing derivative instruments is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to changes in the price of diesel fuel. The Company’s strategy to achieve that objective involves periodically entering into fuel hedges that are specifically designated to certain forecasted diesel fuel purchases and accounted for as cash flow hedges.

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative instruments included one fuel hedge agreement as follows:

Date Entered	Notional Amount (in  gallons per month)		Diesel Rate Paid Fixed (per gallon)		Diesel Rate Received Variable			Effective Date		Expiration Date
June 2012		300,000	$	3.60		DOE Diesel Fuel Index	*		January 2014		December 2015

* If the national U.S. on-highway average price for a gallon of diesel fuel (“average price”), as published by the Department of Energy (“DOE”), exceeds the contract price per gallon, the Company receives the difference between the average price and the contract price (multiplied by the notional number of gallons) from the counterparty. If the average price is less than the contract price per gallon, the Company pays the difference to the counterparty.

Page 15

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2013, were as follows:

Derivatives Designated as Cash	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Interest rate swaps				Accrued liabilities(a)	$	(5,048	)
				Other long-term liabilities		(4,775	)
Fuel hedge	Prepaid expenses and other current assets(b)	$	282
	Other assets, net		1,496
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		$	1,778		$	(9,823	)

(a) Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized losses on interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2013 (based on the interest rate yield curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in interest rates.

(b) Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized gains on the fuel hedge as of March 31, 2013 (based on the forward DOE diesel fuel index curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in diesel fuel prices.

The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2012, were as follows:

Derivatives Designated as Cash	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Interest rate swaps				Accrued liabilities	$	(5,374	)
				Other long-term liabilities		(5,789	)
Fuel hedge	Other assets, net	$	1,187
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		$	1,187		$	(11,163	)

The following table summarizes the impact of the Company’s cash flow hedges on the results of operations, comprehensive income and AOCL for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized as AOCL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (Effective Portion)(a)							Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings,  Net of Tax (Effective Portion) (b),(c)
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	Three Months Ended March 31,						Statement of Income Classification	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012				2013		2012
Interest rate swaps	$	(18	)	$	(623	)	Interest expense	$	852	$	708
Fuel hedge		364			913		Cost of operations		—		(700	)
Total	$	346		$	(290	)		$	852	$	8

(a) In accordance with the derivatives and hedging guidance, the effective portions of the changes in fair values of interest rate swaps and the fuel hedge have been recorded in equity as a component of AOCL. As the critical terms of the interest rate swaps match the underlying debt being hedged, no ineffectiveness is recognized on these swaps and, therefore, all unrealized changes in fair value are recorded in AOCL. Because changes in the actual price of diesel fuel and changes in the DOE index price do not offset exactly each reporting period, the Company assesses whether the fuel hedge is highly effective using the cumulative dollar offset approach.

Page 16

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

(b) Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps are recognized when interest payments or receipts occur related to the swap contracts, which correspond to when interest payments are made on the Company’s hedged debt.

(c) Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on the fuel hedge are recognized when settlement payments or receipts occur related to the hedge contract, which correspond to when the underlying fuel is consumed.

The Company measures and records ineffectiveness on the fuel hedge in Cost of operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income on a monthly basis based on the difference between the DOE index price and the actual price of diesel fuel purchased, multiplied by the notional number of gallons on the contract. There was no significant ineffectiveness recognized on the fuel hedge during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

See Note 13 for further discussion on the impact of the Company’s hedge accounting to its consolidated Comprehensive income and AOCL.

11. NET INCOME PER SHARE INFORMATION

The following table sets forth the calculation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to the Company’s common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	41,556	$	31,303
Denominator:
Basic shares outstanding		123,380,799		115,188,134
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants		202,115		339,747
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units		322,015		348,580
Diluted shares outstanding		123,904,929		115,876,461

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, all outstanding stock options and warrants were dilutive and included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, stock options and warrants to purchase 8,641 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive.

12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Page 17

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include derivative instruments and restricted assets. The Company’s derivative instruments are pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps and a pay-fixed, receive-variable diesel fuel hedge. The Company’s interest rate swaps are recorded at their estimated fair values based on quotes received from financial institutions that trade these contracts. The Company verifies the reasonableness of these quotes using similar quotes from another financial institution as of each date for which financial statements are prepared. The Company uses a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model to determine the estimated fair value of the diesel fuel hedge. The assumptions used in preparing the DCF model include: (i) estimates for the forward DOE index curve; and (ii) the discount rate based on risk-free interest rates over the term of the hedge contract. The DOE index curve used in the DCF model was obtained from financial institutions that trade these contracts and ranged from $3.75 to $3.93 at March 31, 2013. The weighted average DOE index curve used in the DCF model was $3.85 at March 31, 2013. Significant increases (decreases) in the forward DOE index curve would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. For the Company’s interest rate swaps and fuel hedge, the Company also considers the Company’s creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net liability position and the banks’ creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net asset position. The Company’s restricted assets are valued at quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, which the Company receives from the financial institutions that hold such investments on its behalf. The Company’s restricted assets measured at fair value are invested primarily in U.S. government and agency securities.

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were as follows:

	Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2013 Using
	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position	$	(9,823	)	$	—	$	(9,823	)	$	—
Fuel hedge derivative instrument – net asset position	$	1,778		$	—	$	—		$	1,778
Restricted assets	$	33,739		$	33,739	$	—		$	—

Page 18

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012 Using
	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position	$	(11,163	)	$	—	$	(11,163	)	$	—
Fuel hedge derivative instrument – net asset position	$	1,187		$	—	$	—		$	1,187
Restricted assets	$	33,425		$	33,425	$	—		$	—

The following table summarizes the change in the fair value for Level 3 derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2013:

	Level 3 Derivatives
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	1,187
Unrealized gains included in AOCL		591
Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	1,778

The following table summarizes the change in the fair value for Level 3 derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2012:

	Level 3 Derivatives
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	3,506
Realized gains included in earnings		(1,129	)
Unrealized gains included in AOCL		1,473
Balance as of March 31, 2012	$	3,850

Page 19

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

13. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and the fuel hedge that qualify for hedge accounting. The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, are as follows:

	Three months ended March 31, 2013
	Gross			Tax effect			Net of tax
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense	$	1,379		$	(527	)	$	852
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps		(39	)		21			(18	)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedge		591			(227	)		364
	$	1,931		$	(733	)	$	1,198
	Three months ended March 31, 2012
	Gross			Tax effect			Net of tax
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense	$	1,142		$	(434	)	$	708
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations		(1,129	)		429			(700	)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps		(1,005	)		382			(623	)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedge		1,473			(560	)		913
	$	481		$	(183	)	$	298

A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCL, net of taxes, is as follows:

	Fuel Hedge		Interest Rate Swaps			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	732	$	(6,897	)	$	(6,165	)
Amounts reclassified into earnings		—		852			852
Changes in fair value		364		(18	)		346
Balance at March 31, 2013	$	1,096	$	(6,063	)	$	(4,967	)

See Note 10 for further discussion on the Company’s derivative instruments.

14. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Sale of Common Stock

On February 27, 2012, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, in connection with the offer and sale by the Company of 12,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The shares of common stock were sold to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at a price of $30.83 per share. The offering closed on March 2, 2012. The Company received net proceeds from this offering of $369,460 after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated transaction expenses payable by the Company of approximately $500.

Page 20

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of activity related to restricted stock units under the Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan during the three month period ended March 31, 2013, is presented below:

	Unvested Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 2012		1,317,798
Granted		571,267
Forfeited		(19,948	)
Vested and Issued		(470,559	)
Vested and Unissued		(61,518	)
Outstanding at March 31, 2013		1,337,040

The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the shares of common stock underlying the restricted stock units granted during the three month period ended March 31, 2013 was $34.02.

Share Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $1,200,000 of common stock through December 31, 2014. Under the program, stock repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at management’s discretion. The timing and amounts of any repurchases will depend on many factors, including the Company’s capital structure, the market price of the common stock and overall market conditions. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. As of March 31, 2013, the remaining maximum dollar value of shares available for repurchase under the program was approximately $415,960. The Company’s policy related to repurchases of its common stock is to charge any excess of cost over par value entirely to additional paid-in capital.

Cash Dividend

In October 2012, the Company announced that its Board of Directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by $0.01, from $0.09 to $0.10 per share. Cash dividends of $12,310 and $10,010 were paid during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

15. CORPORATE OFFICE RELOCATION

In December 2011, the Company commenced a relocation of its corporate headquarters from Folsom, California to The Woodlands, Texas. The relocation will be completed in 2013 and the Company expects to incur an estimated $500 to $1,500 of costs related to personnel and office relocation expenses during 2013. These costs are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. In addition, the Company may incur a loss on lease in the second or third quarter of 2013, the timing of which is dependent on the cessation of use of its former corporate headquarters in Folsom, California. The Company estimates the loss on lease could range between $8,000 and $10,000.

Page 21

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of its business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the solid waste and E&P waste industries, the Company is subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving federal, state or local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency may seek to impose fines on the Company or to revoke or deny renewal of an operating permit held by the Company. From time to time, the Company may also be subject to actions brought by special interest or other groups, adjacent landowners or residents in connection with the permitting and licensing of landfills, transfer stations, and E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal operations, or alleging environmental damage or violations of the permits and licenses pursuant to which the Company operates.

In addition, the Company is a party to various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violations of certain laws and alleged liabilities arising out of matters occurring during the normal operation of the waste management business. Except as noted in the matters described below, as of March 31, 2013, there is no current proceeding or litigation involving the Company or its property that the Company believes could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Chaparral, New Mexico Landfill Permit Litigation

The Company’s subsidiary, High Desert Solid Waste Facility, Inc. (formerly known as Rhino Solid Waste, Inc.) (“HDSWF”), owns undeveloped property in Chaparral, New Mexico, for which it sought a permit to operate a municipal solid waste landfill. After a public hearing, the New Mexico Environment Department (the “Department”) approved the permit for the facility on January 30, 2002. Colonias Development Council (“CDC”), a nonprofit organization, opposed the permit at the public hearing and appealed the Department’s decision to the courts of New Mexico, primarily on the grounds that the Department failed to consider the social impact of the landfill on the community of Chaparral, and failed to consider regional planning issues. On July 18, 2005, in Colonias Dev. Council v. Rhino Envtl. Servs., Inc. (In re Rhino Envtl. Servs.), 2005 NMSC 24, 117 P.3d 939, the New Mexico Supreme Court remanded the matter back to the Department to conduct a limited public hearing on certain evidence that CDC claimed was wrongfully excluded from consideration by the hearing officer, and to allow the Department to reconsider the evidence already proffered concerning the impact of the landfill on the surrounding community’s quality of life. In July 2007, the Department, CDC, the Company and Otero County signed a stipulation requesting a postponement of the limited public hearing to allow the Company time to explore a possible relocation of the landfill to a new site. Since 2007, the Department has issued several orders postponing the limited public hearing, and on October 17, 2012, it granted a request by the parties to hold the limited public hearing in abeyance until further notice.

In July 2009, HDSWF purchased approximately 325 acres of undeveloped land comprising a proposed new site from the State of New Mexico. HDSWF filed a formal landfill permit application for the new site with the Department on September 17, 2010. On September 12, 2011, the Department deemed the permit application complete and a public hearing on the matter had been tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2012 in Chaparral, New Mexico. On November 9, 2011, HDSWF filed a motion with the Department to hold in abeyance indefinitely the notice for public hearing and the permit hearing. As part of its motion, HDSWF agreed to provide the Department with at least 120 days’ prior notice of any desired, future permit hearing. The Department issued a response in which it did not oppose the motion and agreed to the 120-day notice provision. HDSWF requested the abeyance to defer capital expenditures related to permitting the new site until mid to late 2014, when HDSWF expects to have a better understanding of several current market conditions and regulatory factors that affect the timing and feasibility of the project. These conditions and factors include: the status of the Company’s Solid Waste Disposal and Operating Agreement for the collection and disposal of solid waste generated within the City of El Paso, effective April 28, 2004, which has a 10-year term; the status of El Paso Disposal, LP’s Solid Waste Franchise Agreement for the collection of solid waste generated within the City of El Paso, effective September 1, 2011, which has a 40-month term; whether the City of El Paso implements flow control in September 2014 directing waste collected within its boundaries to City-owned disposal facilities; and whether certain closed or non-operating disposal facilities in the El Paso market area are reopened and whether those facilities are operated by private or public entities.

Page 22

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

At March 31, 2013, the Company had $11,778 of capitalized expenditures related to this landfill development project. Depending on the outcome of the market conditions and regulatory factors described above, the Company may decide in mid to late 2014 to abandon the project and expense the $11,778 of capitalized expenditures, less the recoverable value of the undeveloped properties and other amounts recovered, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period. Alternatively, if the outcome of the market conditions and regulatory factors described above is such that the Company believes the market for disposal of solid waste generated in the City of El Paso will remain competitive, HDSWF may decide in mid to late 2014 to resume its permitting process for the new site. Under those circumstances, if the Department ultimately denies the landfill permit application for the new site, HDSWF intends to actively resume its efforts to enforce the previously issued landfill permit for the original site in Chaparral. If the Company is ultimately issued a permit to operate the landfill at the new site purchased in July 2009, the Company will be required to expense in a future period $10,324 of capitalized expenditures related to the original Chaparral property, less the recoverable value of that undeveloped property and other amounts recovered, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period. If the Company instead is ultimately issued a permit to operate the landfill at the original Chaparral property, the Company will be required to expense in a future period $1,454 of capitalized expenditures related to the new site purchased in July 2009, less the recoverable value of that undeveloped property and other amounts recovered. If the Company is not ultimately issued a permit to operate the landfill at either one of the two sites, the Company will be required to expense in a future period the $11,778 of capitalized expenditures, less the recoverable value of the undeveloped properties and other amounts recovered, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period.

Harper County, Kansas Landfill Permit Litigation

The Company opened a municipal solid waste landfill in Harper County, Kansas in January 2006, following the issuance by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (“KDHE”) of a permit to operate the landfill. The landfill has operated continuously since that time. In 2005, landfill opponents (the “Plaintiffs”) filed a suit (Board of Comm’rs of Sumner County, Kansas, Tri-County Concerned Citizens and Dalton Holland v. Roderick Bremby, Sec’y of the Kansas Dep’t of Health and Env’t, et al.) in the District Court of Shawnee County, Kansas, seeking a judicial review of KDHE’s decision to issue the permit, alleging that a site analysis prepared for the Company and submitted to KDHE as part of the process leading to the issuance of the permit was deficient in several respects. The action sought to stay the effectiveness of the permit and to nullify it. The Company intervened in this lawsuit shortly after it was filed. After years of challenging the Plaintiffs’ standing, and the limiting of those matters properly before it, in June 2012 the District Court ruled on the merits of the matter. The District Court entered a Memorandum Decision and Order denying the Plaintiffs’ demand for revocation of the permit, and affirming KDHE’s decision that the issuance of the permit met all applicable regulatory requirements. The Plaintiffs filed an appeal with the Kansas Court of Appeals. The parties’ briefing on the appeal is currently scheduled to be completed in April 2013 and oral argument is scheduled for June 11, 2013. The Company believes that it will prevail in this matter, and the Company will continue to have the right to operate the landfill during the pendency of the appeal. Only in the event that a final, materially adverse determination with respect to the permit is received would there likely be a material adverse effect on the Company’s reported results of operations in the future. If as a result of this litigation, after exhausting all appeals, the Company was unable to continue to operate the landfill, the Company estimates that it would be required to record a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $18,700 to reduce the carrying value of the landfill to its estimated fair value. In addition, the Company estimates the current annual impact to its pre-tax earnings that would result if it was unable to continue to operate the landfill would be approximately $6,700 per year.

Page 23

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

Solano County, California Measure E/Landfill Expansion Litigation

The Company and one of its subsidiaries, Potrero Hills Landfill, Inc. (“PHLF”), were named as real parties in interest in an amended complaint captioned Sustainability, Parks, Recycling and Wildlife Legal Defense Fund v. County of Solano, which was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Solano, on July 9, 2009 (the original complaint was filed on June 12, 2009). This lawsuit seeks to compel Solano County to comply with Measure E, a ballot initiative and County ordinance passed in 1984 that the County has not enforced against PHLF since at least 1992. Measure E directs in part that Solano County shall not allow the importation into the County of any solid waste which originated or was collected outside the County in excess of 95,000 tons per year. PHLF accepts for disposal, beneficial reuse and recycling approximately 935,000 tons of solid waste annually, approximately 787,000 tons of which originate from sources outside of Solano County. The Sustainability, Parks, Recycling and Wildlife Legal Defense Fund (“SPRAWLDEF”) lawsuit also seeks to overturn Solano County’s approval of the use permit for the expansion of the Potrero Hills Landfill and the related Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”), arguing that both violate Measure E and that the EIR violates the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). Two similar actions seeking to enforce Measure E, captioned Northern California Recycling Association v. County of Solano and Sierra Club v. County of Solano, were filed in the same court on June 10, 2009, and August 10, 2009, respectively. The Northern California Recycling Association (“NCRA”) case does not name the Company or any of its subsidiaries as parties and does not contain any CEQA claims. The Sierra Club case names PHLF as a real party in interest, and seeks to overturn the use permit for the expansion of the landfill on Measure E grounds (but does not raise CEQA claims).

In December 2009, the Company and PHLF filed briefs vigorously opposing enforcement of Measure E on constitutional and other grounds. The Company’s position is supported by Solano County, a co-defendant in the Measure E litigation. It is also supported by the Attorney General of the State of California, the National Solid Wastes Management Association (“NSWMA”) and the California Refuse Recycling Council (“CRRC”), each of which filed supporting friend of court briefs or letters. In addition, numerous waste hauling companies in California, Oregon and Nevada intervened on the Company’s side in the state cases, subsequent to their participation in the federal action challenging Measure E discussed below.

On May 12, 2010, the Solano County Superior Court issued a written opinion addressing all three cases. The Court upheld Measure E in part by judicially rewriting the law, and then issued a writ of mandamus directing Solano County to enforce Measure E as rewritten. The Court decided that it could cure the law’s discrimination against out-of-county waste by revising Measure E to only limit the importation of waste into Solano County from other counties in California, but not from other states. In the same opinion, the Court rejected the requests from petitioners in the cases for a writ of administrative mandamus to overturn the use permit approved by Solano County in June 2009 for the expansion of PHLF’s landfill, thereby leaving the expansion permit in place.

In December 2010, the Court entered final judgments and writs of mandamus in the three cases, and Solano County, the Company, PHLF and the waste hauling company intervenors filed notices of appeal, which stayed the judgments and writs pending the outcome of the appeal. Petitioners Sierra Club and SPRAWLDEF cross-appealed the Court’s ruling denying their petitions for writs to overturn PHLF’s use permit for the expansion. Seventeen separate entities filed friend of court briefs on behalf of the Company and Solano County in September 2011, including the California Attorney General on behalf of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; the City and County of San Francisco; solid waste joint powers authorities serving the areas of Napa County, the City of Vallejo, the South Lake Tahoe Basin, Central Contra Costa County and the Salinas Valley; the California Association of Sanitation Agencies; sanitation districts serving Los Angeles County and Orange County; the NSWMA; the National Association of Manufacturers; the CRRC; the Los Angeles County Waste Management Association; the Solid Waste Association of Orange County; the Inland Empire Disposal Association; and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association. No friend of court briefs were filed on behalf of the petitioners. The case is now fully briefed and all parties have requested oral argument.

Page 24

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

As part of the final judgments, the Solano County Superior Court retained jurisdiction over any motions for attorneys’ fees under California’s Private Attorney General statute. Petitioners NCRA, SPRAWLDEF and Sierra Club each filed a bill of costs and a motion for attorney fees totaling $771. On May 31, 2011, the court issued a final order awarding petitioners $452 in attorneys’ fees, $411 of which relates to the SPRAWLDEF and Sierra Club cases in which the Company or PHLF is a named party. The court allocated 50% of the fee amount to PHLF, none of which the Company recorded as a liability at March 31, 2013. The Company and Solano County appealed this attorneys’ fees order in July 2011. The Court of Appeal has not yet issued a briefing schedule. Once this procedural step is completed, the Company will request a stay of this appeal until the merits of the underlying Measure E cases have been finally determined. If the Company prevails on the appeals of the three underlying cases, then none of the Petitioners would be entitled to attorneys’ fees and costs. If the Company is unsuccessful on these appeals and its future appeals of the attorneys’ fees judgment, PHLF and the County would each ultimately be severally liable for $206 in attorneys’ fees for the SPRAWLDEF and Sierra Club cases. However, in all three cases, the Company may reimburse the County for any such attorneys’ fees under the indemnification provision in PHLF’s use permit.

On February 9, 2012, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) concurred in the solid waste facilities permit related to the Potrero Hills Landfill’s expansion, and the permit was approved and issued by the Solano County Department of Resource Management on February 14, 2012.

On September 25, 2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 845 (“AB 845”), an act of the California Legislature, effective January 1, 2013. AB 845 expressly prohibits counties from restricting or limiting the importation of solid waste into a privately owned facility in a county based on the waste’s place of origin. Because the Company believes that neither the Court of Appeal nor the trial court can grant Petitioners any relief in light of AB 845, it filed a motion with the Court of Appeal on September 27, 2012. The motion seeks to dismiss the cross appeals and reverse and remand the portions of the judgments rendered in Petitioners’ favor regarding enforcement and implementation of Measure E by Solano County, including Petitioners’ recovery of costs, for mootness in light of AB 845, with instructions to the trial court to dismiss the underlying writ petitions with prejudice. Sierra Club and SPRAWLDEF filed oppositions to the Company’s motion. The Court of Appeal has not yet ruled on this pending motion or set an argument date for the appeal.

At this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter. If the court grants the Company’s motion to dismiss the appeals, the judgments requiring Solano County to enforce Measure E and for the Company to pay attorney’s fees related to the Measure E litigation will be dismissed as moot. However, in the event that after all appeals are exhausted the Superior Court’s writ of mandamus enforcing Measure E as rewritten is upheld, the Company estimates that the current annual impact to its pre-tax earnings resulting from the restriction on imports into Solano County would be approximately $6,000 per year. The Company’s estimate could be impacted by various factors, including the County’s allocation of the 95,000 tons per year import restriction among PHLF and the other disposal and composting facilities in Solano County. In addition, if the final rulings on Measure E do not limit the importation of waste into Solano County from other states, the Company could potentially offset a portion of the estimated reduction to its pre-tax earnings by internalizing waste for disposal at PHLF from other states in which the Company operates, or by accepting waste volumes from third party haulers operating outside of California.

Page 25

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

SPRAWLDEF additionally filed a lawsuit seeking a writ of mandate in Sacramento County Superior Court on August 20, 2009, captioned SPRAWLDEF v. California Integrated Waste Management Board (“CIWMB”), County of Solano, et al., challenging a CIWMB decision to dismiss SPRAWLDEF’s administrative appeal to the CIWMB seeking to set aside a 2006 solid waste facilities permit issued to Potrero Hills Landfill by the Solano County Local Enforcement Agency. The case names the Company and PHLF as real parties in interest. The appeal was dismissed by the CIWMB for failure to raise a substantial issue. The 2006 facilities permit authorizes operational modifications and enhanced environmental control measures. The case was tried in Sacramento County Superior Court in October 2010, and the Superior Court rejected all of SPRAWLDEF’s claims and ordered the writ petition dismissed. SPRAWLDEF appealed the dismissal to the Third District Court of Appeal. The case has been fully briefed. On March 8, 2012, the Court of Appeal asked for supplemental briefing on two questions, one of which implicates the standing of SPRAWLDEF relative to a claim against the former CIWMB, and the Company responded with a letter brief. Both CIWMB and the County also filed letter briefs. The Company believes (and so advised the Court of Appeal) the case may be moot in light of the February 14, 2012 issuance of the new solid waste facilities permit for the landfill, which supersedes the 2006 permit at issue in the appeal. While the Company believes that the respondent agencies will prevail in this case, in the unlikely event that the 2006 permit was set aside, PHLF would continue to operate the Potrero Hills Landfill under the site’s new 2012 solid waste facilities permit.

On December 17, 2010, SPRAWLDEF and one its members filed a petition for writ of mandate in San Francisco Superior Court seeking to overturn the October 2010 approval of the marsh development permit issued by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (“BCDC”) for PHLF’s landfill expansion, alleging that the approval is contrary to the Suisun Marsh Protection Act (the “Marsh Act”). Petitioners claim that BCDC abused its discretion by issuing the marsh development permit in contravention of the Marsh Act. The petition, captioned SPRAWLDEF v. San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, names BCDC as a respondent and the Company as the real party in interest. On its own motion, the San Francisco Superior Court stayed the action and, on April 5, 2012, transferred the case to Solano County Superior Court, citing that court’s experience in the related CEQA case and judicial economy. On June 5, 2012, Solano County Superior Court assigned the case to Judge Beeman, who held a hearing for oral argument on October 4, 2012. On November 29, 2012, the court issued an order finding that the administrative record before BCDC did not contain sufficient evidence regarding net profits for the proposed project or the alternative to support the agency’s finding that the alternative was economically infeasible. The court therefore issued a writ of mandamus and final judgment on January 14, 2013 setting aside the BCDC permit and remanding it back to the agency for further consideration. On January 15, 2013, the Company filed a notice of appeal, staying execution of the writ and judgment pending the appeal. On January 28, 2013, BCDC also filed a notice of appeal to the writ and judgment. At this point the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter.

On June 10, 2011, June Guidotti, a property owner adjacent to PHLF, and SPRAWLDEF and one of its members, each filed administrative petitions for review with the State Water Resources Control Board (“State Board”) seeking to overturn a May 11, 2011 Order No. 2166-(a) approving waste discharge requirements issued by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (“Regional Board”) for PHLF’s landfill expansion, alleging that the order is contrary to the State Board’s Title 27 regulations authorizing waste discharge requirements for landfills, and in the case of the SPRAWLDEF petition, further alleging that the Regional Board’s issuance of a Clean Water Act section 401 certification is not supported by an adequate alternatives analysis as required by the federal Clean Water Act. The Regional Board is preparing the administrative record of its decision to issue Order 2166-(a) to be filed with the State Board as well as its response to the petitions for review. It is anticipated that the Regional Board will vigorously defend its actions and seek dismissal of the petitions for review. A hearing date has not yet been set on either petition, and the State Board has held both the Guidotti and SPRAWLDEF petitions in abeyance at the petitioners’ requests. At this point the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter.

Page 26

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

If as a result of any of the matters described above, after exhausting all appeals, PHLF’s use permit or marsh development permit is permanently rescinded, and the Superior Court’s writ of mandamus enforcing Measure E as rewritten is ultimately upheld, the Company estimates that it would be required to recognize a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $39,000 to reduce the carrying value of PHLF to its estimated fair value, in addition to the approximately $6,000 annual impact to its pre-tax earnings described above. If PHLF’s use permit or marsh development permit is permanently rescinded but Measure E is ultimately ruled to be unenforceable, the Company estimates that it would be required to recognize a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $33,000 to reduce the carrying value of PHLF to its estimated fair value.

Colonie, New York Landfill Privatization Litigation

In August 2011, one of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Capital Region Landfills, Inc. (“CRL”) and the Town of Colonie, New York (“Colonie”), entered into a Solid Waste Facility Operating Agreement (“Agreement”). CRL was selected to operate Colonie’s solid waste management operations, which include the Colonie Landfill, pursuant to a request for proposals initiated under New York State General Municipal Law (“GML”) section 120-w. CRL commenced solid waste management operations under the Agreement on September 19, 2011.

On September 29, 2011, seven individuals filed a petition in New York State Supreme Court (Albany County) against Colonie, its Town Board and its Supervisor (“Town Respondents”) to challenge the Agreement. The case is captioned, Conners, et al. v. Town of Colonie, et al., Index No. 006312/2011 (Sup. Ct., Albany Co.). On October 17, 2011, the petition was amended to add CRL and the Company as respondents. The petition alleged that the Agreement is the functional equivalent of a lease and therefore should have been subject to the permissive referendum requirements of New York State Town Law (the “Town Law”) sections 64(2) and 90. The petition specifically alleged that Colonie failed to post and publish a notice that the Colonie Board’s resolution authorizing execution of the Agreement was subject to a permissive referendum. The Town Respondents, CRL and the Company filed motions to dismiss on various procedural and substantive grounds.

By decision, order and judgment dated April 5, 2012, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, finding that, even if the Agreement was construed as a lease, (i) a lease entered into pursuant to GML section 120-w is not subject to Town Law’s permissive referendum requirements, and (ii) the petitioners’ claims did not fall within those permitted under GML section 120-w. On May 3, 2012, petitioners filed a notice of appeal with the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Third Department. The petitioners perfected their appeal on January 30, 2013, and Oral argument is scheduled to be held on May 23, 2013.

If the petitioners ultimately prevail on appeal such that the Agreement is nullified and CRL is unable to continue to operate Colonie’s solid waste management operations, the Agreement requires Colonie to repay to CRL an amount equal to a prorated amount of $23,000 of the initial payment made by CRL to Colonie plus the amount of any capital that CRL has invested in the Colonie Landfill. The prorated amount owed to CRL by Colonie would be calculated by dividing the $23,000 plus the amount of invested capital by the number of years of remaining airspace at the Colonie Landfill, as measured from the effective date of the Agreement, and then multiplying the result by the number of years of remaining airspace at the Colonie Landfill, as measured from the date the Agreement is nullified. Furthermore, if the Agreement is nullified as a result of the litigation, Colonie would resume responsibility for all final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities for the Colonie Landfill.

Madera County, California Materials Recovery Facility Contract Litigation

The Company’s subsidiary, Madera Disposal Systems, Inc. (“MDSI”) was named in a complaint captioned County of Madera vs. Madera Disposal Systems, Inc., et al, which was filed in Madera County Superior Court (Case No. MCV 059402) on March 5, 2012, and subsequently transferred to Fresno County Superior Court. In its complaint, Madera County alleges that from 2007 through 2010, MDSI breached a contract with the County for the operation of a materials recovery facility by withholding profits from facility operations in excess of those authorized by the contract. The County further alleges that the breach gives the County the unilateral right to terminate all of its contracts with MDSI, including contracts for (1) the collection of residential and commercial waste in the unincorporated parts of the County, (2) operation of the materials recovery facility, (3) operation of the North Fork Transfer Station and (4) operation of the Fairmead Landfill. The County seeks monetary damages of $2,962 from MDSI, plus pre-judgment interest at 10% per annum.

Page 27

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share, per share, per gallon, tonnage and per ton amounts)

MDSI had been under contract with the County to collect residential and commercial waste and operate the county-owned Fairmead Landfill continuously since at least 1981. In 1994, MDSI contracted with the County to construct and operate a materials recovery facility for the County on the premises of the Fairmead Landfill. At the time it entered into the materials recovery facility contract, MDSI entered into new contracts with the County for waste collection and landfill operation that were to run concurrently with the materials recovery facility contract. In 1998, MDSI and the County agreed to extend the term of the materials recovery facility and the terms of the other County contracts until November 10, 2012, with MDSI holding a unilateral option to extend all of the contracts for an additional five-year term.

In March 2011, the County issued a Notice of Default to MDSI under the materials recovery facility contract and gave MDSI 30 days to cure the default. MDSI provided information that it believed demonstrated that it was not in default under the contract and had not withheld profits that it was obligated to deliver to the County under the terms of the contract.

On February 7, 2012, the County issued a Notice of Termination to MDSI terminating all of its contracts effective November 1, 2012. The lawsuit followed on March 5, 2012. MDSI has answered the complaint and has asserted a claim against the County for wrongful termination of the contracts. On October 31, 2012, MDSI ceased providing services and vacated the County premises.

At this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter. The Company disputes Madera County’s right to terminate the MDSI contracts effective November 1, 2012, and seeks damages for the profits lost as a result of the wrongful termination. The Company estimates that the current annual impact to its pre-tax earnings resulting from the termination of MDSI’s contracts with Madera County will be approximately $2,300 per year, not including any monetary damages and interest the Court could order MDSI to pay the County.

17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On April 24, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividend will be paid on May 22, 2013, to stockholders of record on the close of business on May 8, 2013.

Page 28

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking in nature, including statements related to our ability to provide adequate cash to fund our operating activities, our ability to draw on our credit facility or raise additional capital, the impact of global economic conditions on our volume, business and results of operations, the effects of landfill special waste projects on volume results, the effects of seasonality on our business and results of operations, demand for recyclable commodities and recyclable commodity pricing, the impact of the relocation of our corporate headquarters to The Woodlands, Texas, our expectations with respect to capital expenditures, our expectations with respect to our ability to obtain expansions of permitted landfill capacity, our expectations with respect to our stock repurchase program and future dividend payments, our expectations with respect to the outcomes of our legal proceedings and our expectations with respect to the purchase of fuel and fuel prices. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” or “anticipates,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy.

Our business and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those projected by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Our acquisitions may not be successful, which may reduce the anticipated benefit from acquired businesses;

• A portion of our growth and future financial performance depends on our ability to integrate acquired businesses into our organization and operations;

• Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and limit our financial flexibility;

• Competition for acquisition candidates, consolidation within the waste industry and economic and market conditions may limit our ability to grow through acquisitions;

• Our industry is highly competitive and includes larger and better capitalized companies, companies with lower prices, return expectations or other advantages, and governmental service providers, which could adversely affect our ability to compete and our operating results;

• We may lose contracts through competitive bidding, early termination or governmental action;

• Price increases may not be adequate to offset the impact of increased costs or may cause us to lose volume;

• Economic downturns adversely affect operating results;

• Our results are vulnerable to economic conditions and seasonal factors affecting the regions in which we operate;

• The E&P waste disposal business depends on oil and gas prices and the level of drilling and production activity in the basins in which we operate;

• We have limited experience in running an E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal business;

• Our E&P waste business is dependent upon the willingness of our customers to outsource their waste management activities;

Page 29

• Changes in laws or government regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing could increase our customers’ costs of doing business and reduce oil and gas production by our customers, which could adversely impact our business;

• Our E&P waste business could be adversely affected by changes in laws regulating E&P waste;

• We may be subject in the normal course of business to judicial, administrative or other third party proceedings that could interrupt or limit our operations, require expensive remediation, result in adverse judgments, settlements or fines and create negative publicity;

• Increases in the price of diesel fuel may adversely affect our collection business and reduce our operating margins;

• Increases in labor and disposal and related transportation costs could impact our financial results;

• Efforts by labor unions could divert management attention and adversely affect operating results;

• We could face significant withdrawal liability if we withdraw from participation in one or more multiemployer pension plans in which we participate and the accrued pension benefits are not fully funded;

• Increases in insurance costs and the amount that we self-insure for various risks could reduce our operating margins and reported earnings;

• Each business that we acquire or have acquired may have liabilities or risks that we fail or are unable to discover, including environmental liabilities;

• Liabilities for environmental damage may adversely affect our financial condition, business and earnings;

• Our accruals for our landfill site closure and post-closure costs may be inadequate;

• The financial soundness of our customers could affect our business and operating results;

• We depend significantly on the services of the members of our senior, regional and district management team, and the departure of any of those persons could cause our operating results to suffer;

• Our decentralized decision-making structure could allow local managers to make decisions that adversely affect our operating results;

• We may incur charges related to capitalized expenditures of landfill development projects, which would decrease our earnings;

• Because we depend on railroads for our intermodal operations, our operating results and financial condition are likely to be adversely affected by any reduction or deterioration in rail service;

• Our financial results could be adversely affected by impairments of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles;

• Our financial results are based upon estimates and assumptions that may differ from actual results;

Page 30

• The adoption of new accounting standards or interpretations could adversely affect our financial results;

• Pending or future litigation or governmental proceedings could result in material adverse consequences, including judgments or settlements;

• If we are not able to develop and protect intellectual property, or if a competitor develops or obtains exclusive rights to a breakthrough technology, our financial results may suffer;

• Fluctuations in prices for recycled commodities that we sell and rebates we offer to customers may cause our revenues and operating results to decline;

• Our financial and operating performance may be affected by the inability to renew landfill operating permits, obtain new landfills and expand existing ones;

• Future changes in laws or renewed enforcement of laws regulating the flow of solid waste in interstate commerce could adversely affect our operating results;

• Our E&P waste business in New Mexico could be adversely impacted if the New Mexico “Pit Rule” is rescinded or relaxed;

• Extensive and evolving environmental, health, safety and employment laws and regulations may restrict our operations and growth and increase our costs;

• Climate change regulations may adversely affect operating results;

• Extensive regulations that govern the design, operation and closure of landfills may restrict our landfill operations or increase our costs of operating landfills;

• Alternatives to landfill disposal may cause our revenues and operating results to decline; and

• Unusually adverse weather conditions may interfere with our operations, harming our operating results.

These risks and uncertainties, as well as others, are discussed in greater detail in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. There may be additional risks of which we are not presently aware or that we currently believe are immaterial which could have an adverse impact on our business. We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may change.

OVERVIEW

We are an integrated municipal solid waste services company that provides solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services primarily in exclusive and secondary markets in the U.S. and a leading provider of non-hazardous exploration and production, or E&P, waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several of the most active natural resource producing areas of the U.S. We also provide intermodal services for the rail haul movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest through a network of intermodal facilities.

We seek to avoid highly competitive, large urban markets and instead target markets where we can attain high market share either through exclusive contracts, vertical integration or asset positioning. In markets where waste collection services are provided under exclusive arrangements, or where waste disposal is municipally funded or available at multiple municipal sources, we believe that controlling the waste stream by providing collection services under exclusive arrangements is often more important to our growth and profitability than owning or operating landfills. We also target niche markets, like E&P waste treatment and disposal services, with similar characteristics and, we believe, higher comparative growth potential.

Page 31

As of March 31, 2013, we served residential, commercial, industrial and E&P customers from a network of operations in 31 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. As of March 31, 2013, we owned or operated a network of 151 solid waste collection operations; 68 transfer stations; seven intermodal facilities, 38 recycling operations, 54 active MSW, E&P and/or non-MSW landfills, 20 E&P liquid waste injection wells, 15 E&P waste treatment and recovery facilities and 19 oil recovery facilities.

The municipal solid waste industry is a local and highly competitive business, requiring substantial labor and capital resources. The participants compete for collection accounts primarily on the basis of price and, to a lesser extent, the quality of service, and compete for landfill business on the basis of tipping fees, geographic location and quality of operations. The municipal solid waste industry has been consolidating and continues to consolidate as a result of a number of factors, including the increasing costs and complexity associated with waste management operations and regulatory compliance. Many small independent operators and municipalities lack the capital resources, management, operating skills and technical expertise necessary to operate effectively in such an environment. The consolidation trend has caused municipal solid waste companies to operate larger landfills that have complementary collection routes that can use company-owned disposal capacity. Controlling the point of transfer from haulers to landfills has become increasingly important as landfills continue to close and disposal capacity moves further from collection markets.

Generally, the most profitable operators within the municipal solid waste industry are those companies that are vertically integrated or enter into long-term collection contracts. A vertically integrated operator will benefit from: (1) the internalization of waste, which is bringing waste to a company-owned landfill; (2) the ability to charge third-party haulers tipping fees either at landfills or at transfer stations; and (3) the efficiencies gained by being able to aggregate and process waste at a transfer station prior to landfilling.

The E&P waste services industry is similarly regional in nature and is also highly fragmented, with acquisition opportunities available in several active basins. Competition for E&P waste comes primarily from smaller regional companies that utilize a variety of disposal methods and generally serve specific geographic markets. In addition, customers in many markets have the option of using internal disposal methods or outsourcing to another third party disposal company. The principal competitive factors in this business include: gaining customer approval of treatment and disposal facilities; location of facilities in relation to customer activity; reputation; reliability of services; track record of environmental compliance; ability to accept multiple waste types at a single facility; and price.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements. As described by the SEC, critical accounting estimates and assumptions are those that may be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and that have a material impact on the financial condition or operating performance of a company. Such critical accounting estimates and assumptions are applicable to our reportable segments. Refer to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete description of our critical accounting estimates and assumptions.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

For a description of the new accounting standards that affect us, see Note 2 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Page 32

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

The following table sets forth items in our condensed consolidated statements of net income in thousands and as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated.

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013					2012
Revenues	$	449,892		100.0	%	$	376,430		100.0	%
Cost of operations		251,963		56.0			216,681		57.5
Selling, general and administrative		53,251		11.9			51,174		13.6
Depreciation		51,649		11.5			37,173		9.9
Amortization of intangibles		6,438		1.4			5,631		1.5
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets		(322	)	(0.1	)		715		0.2
Operating income		86,913		19.3			65,056		17.3
Interest expense		(19,012	)	(4.2	)		(12,285	)	(3.3	)
Other income, net		742		0.2			819		0.2
Income tax provision		(26,963	)	(6.0	)		(22,151	)	(5.9	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(124	)	(0.1	)		(136	)	—
Net income attributable to Waste Connections	$	41,556		9.2	%	$	31,303		8.3	%

Revenues. Total revenues increased $73.5 million, or 19.5%, to $449.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $376.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2013 from the acquisition of the business of R360 Environmental Solutions, Inc., or R360, were $51.6 million. All other acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, increased revenues by approximately $19.4 million. Operations divested during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, decreased revenues by approximately $0.4 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the net increase in prices charged to our customers was $12.0 million, consisting of $10.5 million of core price increases and $1.5 million of fuel, materials and environmental surcharges.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, volume decreases in our existing business in our Western, Central and Eastern segments decreased revenues by $7.1 million, and volume decreases in our existing business in our E&P segment decreased revenues by $0.4 million. The net decreases in volume in our Western, Central and Eastern segments were primarily attributable to service level declines with existing customers and a reduction in customer counts due to competition in our markets, and decreased roll off hauling activity due primarily to volatility of construction activity in our markets.

Decreased recyclable commodity prices during the three months ended March 31, 2013, partially offset by increased recyclable commodity volumes collected, decreased revenues by $2.4 million. The decrease in recyclable commodity prices was primarily due to decreased overseas demand for recyclable commodities.

Other revenues increased by $0.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, primarily due to an increase in cargo pricing and volume at our intermodal operations.

Page 33

Cost of Operations. Total cost of operations increased $35.3 million, or 16.3%, to $252.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $216.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily the result of $23.6 million of additional operating costs during the three months ended March 31, 2013 from the R360 acquisition, $10.8 million of additional operating costs from all other acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, and the following changes at operations owned in comparable periods in 2012 and 2013: an increase in truck, container and equipment maintenance and repair expenses of $1.0 million due to increases in the prices for parts and services and variability in the timing and severity of major equipment repairs, an increase in general liability and property insurance claims expense due to a non-recurring adjustment to an estimated claim liability recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012 associated with a prior period claim of $0.6 million, an increase in diesel fuel expenses of $0.5 million resulting from the net impact of higher market prices for fuel and reduced fuel gallons consumed in our operations and an increase in cell processing reserves at certain E&P locations of $0.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in landfill and transfer station disposal expenses of $1.6 million due primarily to increased internalization of collected volumes.

Cost of operations as a percentage of revenues decreased 1.5 percentage points to 56.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 57.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The decrease as a percentage of revenues was attributable to a 1.3 percentage point decrease from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012 having lower cost of operations as a percentage of revenue than our company average, a 0.5 percentage point decrease in disposal expenses and a 0.2 percentage point decrease in labor expenses resulting from increased labor productivity, partially offset by a 0.2 percentage point increase from increased truck, container and equipment maintenance and repair expenses, a 0.2 percentage point increase from increased property insurance claims and a 0.1 percentage point increase from increased diesel fuel expenses.

SG&A. SG&A expenses increased $2.1 million, or 4.1%, to $53.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $51.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily the result of $5.0 million of additional SG&A expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2013 from the R360 acquisition, $1.6 million of additional SG&A expenses from all other acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, and the following changes at operations owned in comparable periods in 2012 and 2013: an increase in cash incentive compensation expense of $1.1 million resulting from the achievement of certain financial targets, an increase in payroll and payroll-related expenses of $0.6 million primarily related to annual compensation increases, an increase in professional fees of $0.5 million due primarily to increased expenses for external accounting and tax services, an increase in recurring equity-based compensation expense associated with our annual grant of restricted stock units to our personnel of $0.2 million and $0.6 million of other net increases, partially offset by a decrease in equity-based compensation resulting from a non-recurring grant in 2012 of $3.6 million of immediately vested restricted stock units to certain executive officers at the time the executives agreed to modifications to their employment contracts, a decrease of $1.6 million associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters from Folsom, California to The Woodlands, Texas, which was substantially completed in 2012, a decrease in direct acquisition expenses of $1.3 million due to a reduction in acquisition activity and a decrease in expenses for uncollectible accounts receivable of $1.0 million due to improved collections of non-current accounts receivable.

SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased 1.7 percentage points to 11.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 13.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The decrease as a percentage of revenues was attributable to a 0.9 percentage point decrease from lower total equity-based compensation expense, a 0.4 percentage point decrease in expenses associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters to The Woodlands, Texas, a 0.4 percentage point decrease due to acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012 having lower SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue than our company average, a 0.3 percentage point decrease from the decrease in direct acquisition expenses and a 0.2 percentage point decrease due to the decrease in uncollectible accounts receivable, partially offset by and a 0.3 percentage point increase from increased cash incentive compensation expense and a 0.2 percentage point increase from the increase in professional fee expenses.

Page 34

Depreciation. Depreciation expense increased $14.4 million, or 38.9%, to $51.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $37.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to $4.0 million of depreciation and $7.0 million of depletion during the three months ended March 31, 2013 from the R360 acquisition, $1.3 million of depreciation and $0.9 million of depletion from all other acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase in depletion expense of $0.9 million due primarily to a reduction to depletion expense recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012 associated with an adjustment to landfill closure liabilities at one of our landfill operations that has a limited remaining life and an increase in depreciation expense of $0.3 million associated with additions to our fleet and equipment purchased to support our existing operations.

Depreciation expense as a percentage of revenues increased 1.6 percentage points to 11.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 9.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase as a percentage of revenues was attributable to a 1.3 percentage point increase from an increase in depletion expense at landfills acquired during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, which have a higher depletion rate per ton relative to our company average, and a 0.3 percentage point increase in depletion expense at our existing operations due to increased special waste volumes and the aforementioned reduction to depletion expense recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012 resulting from an adjustment to landfill closure liabilities at one of our landfill operations.

Amortization of Intangibles. Amortization of intangibles expense increased $0.8 million, or 14.3%, to $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to $0.5 million of amortization expense during the three months ended March 31, 2013 for permits and customer lists from the R360 acquisition and $0.6 million of amortization expense for contracts and customer lists from all other acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, partially offset by a decrease in amortization expense of $0.3 million resulting from certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized subsequent to March 31, 2012.

Amortization expense as a percentage of revenues decreased 0.1 percentage points to 1.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 1.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The decrease as a percentage of revenues was attributable to the reduction in amortization expense resulting from certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized subsequent to March 31, 2012.

Loss (Gain) on Disposal of Assets. Loss (gain) on disposal of assets decreased $1.0 million, to a gain of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from a loss of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. On an aggregate basis, assets disposed in the three months ended March 31, 2013 had a lower book carrying value relative to sales proceeds compared to assets disposed in the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets as a percentage of revenues decreased 0.3 percentage points to a gain of 0.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from a loss of 0.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Operating Income. Operating income increased $21.8 million, or 33.6%, to $86.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $65.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to the $73.5 million increase in revenues and $1.0 million decrease in loss (gain) on disposal of assets, partially offset by the $35.3 million increase in operating costs, $2.1 million increase in SG&A expense, $14.4 million increase in depreciation expense and $0.8 million increase in amortization of intangibles expense.

Operating income as a percentage of revenues increased 2.0 percentage points to 19.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 17.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase as a percentage of revenues was due to the previously described 1.7 percentage point decrease in SG&A expense, 1.5 percentage point decrease in cost of operations, 0.3 percentage point decrease in loss (gain) on disposal of assets and 0.1 percentage decrease in amortization expense, partially offset by the 1.6 percentage point increase in depreciation expense.

Page 35

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $6.7 million, or 54.8%, to $19.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $12.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, due to the following changes for the comparable periods in 2012 and 2013: an increase of $4.7 million from the October 2012 issuance of our $800 million term loan facility to fund a portion of the consideration for the R360 acquisition, an increase of $1.3 million due to an increase in the average outstanding balance on our senior revolving credit facility during the comparable three month periods, an increase of $0.3 million from the amortization of debt issuance costs, an increase of $0.2 million resulting from interest accretion expense recorded on long-term liabilities recorded at fair value associated with acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, and an increase of $0.2 million due to the commencement of a $150 million interest rate swap in April 2012 with a fixed rate of 0.80%.

Income Tax Provision. Income taxes increased $4.8 million, or 21.7%, to $27.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $22.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as a result of increased pre-tax income.

Our effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, were 39.3% and 41.3%, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, income tax expense and our effective tax rate were impacted by $1.1 million and 2.1 percentage points, respectively, due to $2.9 million of the $3.6 million equity-based compensation granted to certain executive officers, incurred at the time the executives agreed to modifications to their employment contracts, being non-deductible expenses.

SEGMENT RESULTS

General

No single contract or customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues at the consolidated or reportable segment level during the periods presented. The table below shows for the periods indicated our total reported revenues attributable to services provided (dollars in thousands).

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013					2012
Solid waste collection	$	293,144		57.9	%	$	277,088		64.2	%
Solid waste disposal and transfer		122,772		24.2			117,739		27.3
E&P waste treatment, disposal and recovery		59,931		11.8			4,256		1.0
Solid waste recycling		18,794		3.7			21,215		4.9
Intermodal and other		12,118		2.4			11,358		2.6
		506,759		100.0	%		431,656		100.0	%
Less: intercompany elimination		(56,867	)				(55,226	)
Total revenue	$	449,892				$	376,430

Our Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates operating segment profitability and determines resource allocations based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is EBITDA. EBITDA is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Our management uses EBITDA in the evaluation of segment operating performance as it is a profit measure that is generally within the control of the operating segments.

Page 36

Prior to October 2012, we managed our operations through three geographic operating segments which were also our reportable segments. In October 2012, as a result of the R360 acquisition, we realigned our reporting structure and created a fourth operating segment, the E&P group, which includes the majority of our E&P waste treatment and disposal operations. As a result, our three geographic operating segments and our E&P group comprise our reportable segments. Additionally, in January 2013, we transferred an E&P operation in Louisiana, owned by us prior to the R360 acquisition, from our Central region to our E&P group. Each operating segment is responsible for managing several vertically integrated operations, which are comprised of districts. The segment information presented herein reflects the addition of the new E&P group and the transfer of our E&P operation in Louisiana to the E&P group. Under the current structure, our Western Region is comprised of operating locations in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and western Wyoming; our Central Region is comprised of operating locations in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and eastern Wyoming; and our Eastern Region is comprised of operating locations in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The E&P group is comprised of our E&P operations in Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming and along the Gulf of Mexico.

Revenues, net of intercompany eliminations, for our reportable segments are shown in the following table in thousands and as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013				2012
Western	$	193,151	42.9	%	$	180,660	48.0	%
Central		114,593	25.5			103,829	27.6
Eastern		87,770	19.5			89,037	23.6
E&P		54,378	12.1			2,904	0.8
	$	449,892	100.0	%	$	376,430	100.0	%

EBITDA for our reportable segments are shown in the following table in thousands and as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013					2012
Western	$	58,576		13.0	%	$	53,802		14.3	%
Central		40,238		8.9			35,450		9.4
Eastern		25,881		5.8			24,534		6.5
E&P		22,587		5.0			1,932		0.5
Corporate(a)		(2,604	)	(0.5	)		(7,143	)	(1.9	)
	$	144,678		32.2	%	$	108,575		28.8	%

(a) Corporate functions include accounting, legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, training and other administrative functions. Amounts reflected are net of allocations to the four operating segments.

A reconciliation of EBITDA to Net income is included in Note 9 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1, Item 1 of this report.

Significant changes in revenue and EBITDA for our reportable segments for the three month period ended March 31, 2013, compared to the three month period ended March 31, 2012, are discussed below:

Segment Revenue

Revenue in our Western segment increased $12.5 million, or 6.9%, to $193.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $180.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The components of the increase consisted of revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, of $11.5 million, net price increases of $4.6 million and intermodal revenue increases of $0.5 million, partially offset by decreases of $0.3 million from divested operations, volume decreases of $2.5 million and recyclable commodity sales decreases of $1.3 million.

Page 37

Revenue in our Central segment increased $10.8 million, or 10.4%, to $114.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $103.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The components of the increase consisted of revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, of $7.3 million, net price increases of $4.5 million and other revenue increases of $0.1 million, partially offset by volume decreases of $0.9 and recyclable commodity sales decreases of $0.2 million.

Revenue in our Eastern segment decreased $1.2 million, or 1.4%, to $87.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $89.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The components of the decrease consisted of decreases of $0.1 million from divested operations, volume decreases of $3.7 million and recyclable commodity sales decreases of $0.9 million partially offset by revenue growth from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, of $0.3 million, net price increases of $3.0 million and other revenue increases of $0.2 million.

Revenue in our E&P segment increased $51.5 million, to $54.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The components of the increase consisted of revenue from the R360 acquisition and other acquisitions closed subsequent to the three months ended March 31, 2012 of $51.9 million, partially offset by volume decreases of $0.4 million.

Segment EBITDA

EBITDA in our Western segment increased $4.8 million, or 8.9%, to $58.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $53.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to income generated from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012, price increases charged to our customers and decreased expenses for uncollectible accounts receivable, partially offset by decreased collection volumes, decreased recyclable commodity revenue, increased truck, container and equipment maintenance and repair expenses and increased administrative payroll expenses.

EBITDA in our Central segment increased $4.8 million, or 13.5%, to $40.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $35.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to income generated from acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012 and price increases charged to our customers, partially offset by decreased collection volumes, decreased recyclable commodity revenue, increased truck, container and equipment maintenance and repair expenses and increased diesel fuel expenses.

EBITDA in our Eastern segment increased $1.4 million, or 5.5%, to $25.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $24.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to price increases charged to our customers, decreased disposal expenses, decreased expenses for uncollectible accounts receivable and decreased allocation of expenses from corporate due to a decrease in budgeted revenues, partially offset by decreased recyclable commodity revenue and decreased collection volumes.

EBITDA in our E&P segment increased $20.7 million, to $22.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to $21.4 million of EBITDA generated from the R360 acquisition and other acquisitions closed subsequent to the three months ended March 31, 2012, partially offset by increased cell processing reserves and decreased volumes at operations owned in the comparable periods.

EBITDA at Corporate was a loss of $2.6 million and $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The $4.5 million, or 63.5%, decrease in the loss was primarily due to decreased expenses associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters from Folsom, California to The Woodlands, Texas, which was substantially completed in 2012, a decrease in total equity-based compensation expense primarily resulting from a non-recurring grant in 2012 of $3.6 million of immediately vested restricted stock units to certain executive officers at the time the executives agreed to modifications to their employment contracts and a decrease in direct acquisition expenses, partially offset by an increase in cash incentive compensation expense.

Page 38

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following table sets forth certain cash flow information for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	132,958		$	100,581
Net cash used in investing activities		(19,108	)		(167,969	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(122,782	)		62,914
Net decrease in cash and equivalents		(8,932	)		(4,474	)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period		23,212			12,643
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	14,280		$	8,169

Operating Activities Cash Flows

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, net cash provided by operating activities was $133.0 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, net cash provided by operating activities was $100.6 million. The $32.4 million net increase in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to the following:

1) An increase in net income of $10.2 million, adjusted for an increase in cash flows from operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, of $5.7 million to cash provided by operating assets and liabilities of $13.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from cash provided by operating assets and liabilities of $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The significant components of the $13.5 million in net cash inflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2013, include the following:

a) an increase in cash resulting from a $1.2 million increase in other long term liabilities due primarily to increased deferred compensation plan liabilities resulting from employee contributions and plan earnings;

b) an increase in cash resulting from a $15.4 million decrease in accounts receivable due to improved collection timing at our operations;

c) an increase in cash resulting from a $7.2 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets due primarily to a decrease in prepaid income taxes; less

d) a decrease in cash resulting from a $7.9 million decrease in accounts payable due primarily to the timing of payments; less

e) a decrease in cash resulting from a decrease in accrued liabilities of $1.3 million due primarily to the payment of annual cash incentive compensation, partially offset by an increase in accrued interest due to the timing of interest payments on our notes and term loan facility; less

f) a decrease in cash resulting from a decrease in deferred revenue of $1.1 million due primarily to timing of advance billings to our customers.

2) An increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $15.3 million due primarily to assets acquired in acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012;

3) An increase in our provision for deferred taxes of $4.4 million due primarily to an increase in the tax deductibility of goodwill as a result of goodwill recorded from acquisitions closed during, and subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012; less

Page 39

4) A decrease in equity-based compensation expense of $4.0 million due to a non-recurring grant of $3.6 million of immediately vested restricted stock units to certain executive officers at the time the executives agreed to modifications to their employment contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and a $0.6 million decrease in the fair value of warrants issued as compensation for acquisition-related services due to a decline in acquisition activity, partially offset by a $0.2 million increase associated with our annual grant of restricted stock units to our personnel.

As of March 31, 2013, we had a working capital deficit of $99.1 million, including cash and equivalents of $14.3 million. Our working capital deficit increased $44.0 million from a deficit of $55.1 million at December 31, 2012. To date, we have experienced no loss or lack of access to our cash or cash equivalents; however, we can provide no assurances that access to our cash and cash equivalents will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets. Our strategy in managing our working capital is generally to apply the cash generated from our operations that remains after satisfying our working capital and capital expenditure requirements, along with stock repurchase and dividend programs, to reduce the unhedged portion of our indebtedness under our credit facility and to minimize our cash balances.

Investing Activities Cash Flows

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $148.9 million to $19.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $168.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The significant components of the decrease in net cash used include the following:

1) A decrease in payments for acquisitions of $138.9 million as we paid cash consideration during the three months ended March 31, 2012 for the acquisitions of Alaska Waste and two other solid waste collection businesses and did not close any acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2013;

2) An increase of $18.0 million resulting from the settlement of the final closing date net working capital with the former owners of R360; less

3) An increase in capital expenditures for property and equipment of $8.9 million due primarily to expenditures to support acquisitions closed during, or subsequent to, the three months ended March 31, 2012 and expenditures for trucks in our San Jose, CA location that operate on compressed natural gas.

Financing Activities Cash Flows

Net cash provided by financing activities decreased $185.7 million to net cash used in financing activities of $122.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from net cash provided by financing activities of $62.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The significant components of the decrease include the following:

1) A decrease in cash flows from proceeds from common stock offerings of $369.5 million, net, due to the sale during the three months ended March 31, 2012 of 12,000,000 shares of our common stock in a public offering;

2) An increase in cash dividends paid of $2.3 million due to an increase in our quarterly rate from $0.09 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2012 to $0.10 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and an increase in our total common shares outstanding; less

3) A decrease in net repayments of long-term borrowings of $183.4 million due primarily to the repayment of debt during the three months ended March 31, 2012 with the $369.5 million of proceeds from our common stock offering, partially offset by net repayments under our credit facility and term loan facility of $97.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2013 primarily from cash generated from operating activities and a decrease in borrowings associated with funding the cash consideration for acquisitions due to a decline in acquisition activity; less

4) A decrease in payments of contingent consideration of $3.4 million due primarily to the payout during the three months ended March 31, 2012 of contingent consideration related to the achievement of earnings targets for an acquisition closed in 2010.

Page 40

Our business is capital intensive. Our capital requirements include acquisitions and capital expenditures for landfill cell construction, landfill development, landfill closure activities and intermodal facility construction in the future.

Our Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $1.2 billion of our common stock through December 31, 2014. Under the program, stock repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at management’s discretion. The timing and amounts of any repurchases will depend on many factors, including our capital structure, the market price of the common stock and overall market conditions. As of March 31, 2013 and 2012, we had repurchased in aggregate 39.9 million and 39.2 million shares, respectively, of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $784.0 million and $765.4 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2013, the remaining maximum dollar value of shares available for purchase under the program was approximately $416.0 million.

In October 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share. In October 2011, our Board of Directors authorized an increase to our regular quarterly cash dividend from $0.075 to $0.09 per share. In October 2012, the Board of Directors authorized an increase to our regular quarterly cash dividend from $0.09 to $0.10 per share. Cash dividends of $12.3 million and $10.0 million were paid during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We cannot assure you as to the amounts or timing of future dividends.

We made $36.9 million in capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2013. We expect to make capital expenditures of approximately $185 million in 2013 in connection with our existing business. We have funded and intend to fund the balance of our planned 2013 capital expenditures principally through cash on hand, internally generated funds and borrowings under our credit facility. In addition, we may make substantial additional capital expenditures in acquiring MSW and E&P waste businesses. If we acquire additional landfill disposal facilities, we may also have to make significant expenditures to bring them into compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, obtain permits or expand our available disposal capacity. We cannot currently determine the amount of these expenditures because they will depend on the number, nature, condition and permitted status of any acquired landfill disposal facilities. We believe that our cash and equivalents, credit facility and the funds we expect to generate from operations will provide adequate cash to fund our working capital and other cash needs for the foreseeable future. However, disruptions in the capital and credit markets could adversely affect our ability to draw on our credit facility or raise other capital. Our access to funds under the credit facility is dependent on the ability of the banks that are parties to the facility to meet their funding commitments. Those banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests within a short period of time.

As of March 31, 2013, we had $690.0 million outstanding under our credit facility, exclusive of outstanding standby letters of credit of $87.1 million. Our revolving credit facility matures in July 2016.

As of March 31, 2013, we had the following contractual obligations:

	Payments Due by Period
	(amounts in thousands)
Recorded Obligations	Total		Less Than 1 Year		1 to 3 Years		3 to 5 Years		Over 5 Years
Long-term debt	$	2,131,353	$	35,182	$	343,294	$	1,098,948	$	653,929
Cash interest payments		310,742		73,878		137,955		60,751		38,158
Contingent consideration		97,406		49,521		9,385		2,790		35,710

Long-term debt payments include:

1) $690.0 million in principal payments due July 2016 related to our credit facility. We may elect to draw amounts on our credit facility in either base rate loans or LIBOR loans. At March 31, 2013, all amounts outstanding under the credit facility were in LIBOR loans which bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus applicable LIBOR margin (approximately 2.20% at March 31, 2013). As of March 31, 2013, our credit facility allowed us to borrow up to $1.2 billion.

Page 41

2) $790.0 million in principal payments related to our term loan facility. We may elect to draw amounts on the term loan facility in either base rate loans or LIBOR loans. At March 31, 2013, all amounts outstanding under the term loan facility were in LIBOR loans which bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus the applicable LIBOR margin (approximately 2.70% at March 31, 2013). Our term loan facility matures on October 25, 2017.

3) $175.0 million in principal payments due 2015 related to our 2015 Notes. Holders of the 2015 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2015 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement. The 2015 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.22%.

4) $100.0 million in principal payments due 2016 related to our 2016 Notes. Holders of the 2016 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement. The 2016 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.30%.

5) $50.0 million in principal payments due 2018 related to our 2018 Notes. Holders of the 2018 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2018 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement. The 2018 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.00%.

6) $175.0 million in principal payments due 2019 related to our 2019 Notes. Holders of the 2019 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2019 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement. The 2019 Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.25%.

7) $100.0 million in principal payments due 2021 related to our 2021 Notes. Holders of the 2021 Notes may require us to purchase their notes in cash at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2021 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, upon a change in control, as defined in the Master Note Purchase Agreement. The 2021 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.64%.

8) $35.7 million in principal payments related to our tax-exempt bonds, which bear interest at variable rates (between 0.16% and 0.24%) at March 31, 2013. The tax-exempt bonds have maturity dates ranging from 2014 to 2033.

9) $15.7 million in principal payments related to our notes payable to sellers and other third parties. Our notes payable to sellers and other third parties bear interest at rates between 2.5% and 10.9% at March 31, 2013, and have maturity dates ranging from 2014 to 2036.

The following assumptions were made in calculating cash interest payments:

1) We calculated cash interest payments on the credit facility using the LIBOR rate plus the applicable LIBOR margin at March 31, 2013. We assumed the credit facility is paid off when it matures in July 2016.

2) We calculated cash interest payments on our interest rate swaps using the stated interest rate in the swap agreement less the LIBOR rate through the earlier expiration of the term of the swaps or the term of the credit facility.

Contingent consideration payments include $79.8 million recorded as liabilities in our condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2013, and $17.6 million of future interest accretion on the recorded obligations.

Page 42

	Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
	(amounts in thousands)
Unrecorded Obligations(1)	Total		Less Than 1 Year		1 to 3 Years		3 to 5 Years		Over 5 Years
Operating leases	$	148,559	$	19,121	$	33,615	$	25,398	$	70,425

(1) We are party to operating lease agreements. These lease agreements are established in the ordinary course of our business and are designed to provide us with access to facilities at competitive, market-driven prices. These arrangements have not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the three months ended March 31, 2013, nor are they expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

We have obtained financial surety bonds, primarily to support our financial assurance needs and landfill and E&P operations. We provided customers and various regulatory authorities with surety bonds in the aggregate amounts of approximately $365.8 million and $361.6 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These arrangements have not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the three months ended March 31, 2013, nor are they expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

From time to time, we evaluate our existing operations and their strategic importance to us. If we determine that a given operating unit does not have future strategic importance, we may sell or otherwise dispose of those operations. Although we believe our reporting units would not be impaired by such dispositions, we could incur losses on them.

The disposal tonnage that we received in the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, at all of our landfills during the respective period, is shown below (tons in thousands):

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013				2012
	Number of Sites		Total Tons		Number of Sites		Total Tons
Owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements		49		4,361		40		3,276
Operated landfills		5		103		6		134
		54		4,464		46		3,410

Page 43

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

We present adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a valuation and liquidity measure in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted free cash flow as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations. We define adjusted free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus proceeds from disposal of assets, plus or minus change in book overdraft, plus excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation, less capital expenditures for property and equipment and distributions to noncontrolling interests. We further adjust this calculation to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of our business. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP liquidity or financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted free cash flow differently. Our adjusted free cash flow for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Three months ended March  31,
	2013			2012
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	132,958		$	100,581
Plus/Less: Change in book overdraft		(17	)		321
Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets		723			753
Plus: Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation		2,098			3,005
Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment		(36,905	)		(27,953	)
Less: Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(198	)		(95	)
Adjustment:
Corporate office relocation, net of taxes (a)		1,503			1,071
Adjusted free cash flow	$	100,162		$	77,683

(a) Reflects the addback of third party expenses and reimbursable advances to employees associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters from California to Texas.

Page 44

Adjusted EBITDA

We present adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a performance and valuation measure in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted EBITDA as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations. We define adjusted EBITDA as income before income tax provision, plus interest expense, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any loss or gain on disposal of assets, less other income. We further adjust this calculation to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of our business. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently. Our adjusted EBITDA for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Income before income tax provision	$	68,643		$	53,590
Plus: Interest expense		19,012			12,285
Plus: Depreciation and amortization		58,087			42,804
Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion		761			612
Plus/Less: Loss (gain) on disposal of assets		(322	)		715
Less: Other income, net		(742	)		(819	)
Adjustments:
Plus: Acquisition-related costs (a)		473			1,777
Plus: Corporate relocation expenses (b)		152			1,727
Plus: Named executive officers’ one-time equity grants (c)		—			3,585
Adjusted EBITDA	$	146,064		$	116,276

(a) Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.

(b) Reflects the addback of costs associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters from California to Texas.

(c) Reflects the addback of one-time equity compensation expense incurred at the time our named executive officers’ employment contracts were modified.

Page 45

Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share

We present adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, both non-GAAP financial measures, supplementally because they are widely used by investors as a valuation measure in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of our operations. We provide adjusted net income to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods. Adjusted net income has limitations due to the fact that it excludes items that have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share are not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share differently. Our adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, are calculated as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Reported net income attributable to Waste Connections	$	41,556		$	31,303
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangibles, net of taxes (a)		3,975			3,492
Acquisition-related costs, net of taxes (b)		292			1,101
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net of taxes (c)		(199	)		443
Corporate relocation expenses, net of taxes (d)		94			1,071
Named executive officers’ one-time equity grants, net of taxes (e)		—			3,315
Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections	$	45,718		$	40,725
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections common stockholders:
Reported net income	$	0.34		$	0.27
Adjusted net income	$	0.37		$	0.35

(a) Reflects the elimination of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.

(b) Reflects the elimination of acquisition-related transaction costs.

(c) Reflects the elimination of a loss (gain) on disposal of assets.

(d) Reflects the addback of costs associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters from California to Texas.

(e) Reflects the addback of one-time equity compensation expense incurred at the time our named executive officers’ employment contracts were modified.

INFLATION

Other than volatility in fuel prices and labor costs in certain markets, inflation has not materially affected our operations in recent years. Consistent with industry practice, many of our contracts allow us to pass through certain costs to our customers, including increases in landfill tipping fees and, in some cases, fuel costs. Therefore, we believe that we should be able to increase prices to offset many cost increases that result from inflation in the ordinary course of business. However, competitive pressures or delays in the timing of rate increases under our contracts may require us to absorb at least part of these cost increases, especially if cost increases exceed the average rate of inflation. Management’s estimates associated with inflation have an impact on our accounting for landfill liabilities.

Page 46

SEASONALITY

We expect our operating results to vary seasonally, with revenues typically lowest in the first quarter, higher in the second and third quarters and lower in the fourth quarter than in the second and third quarters. This seasonality reflects (a) the lower volume of solid waste generated during the late fall, winter and early spring because of decreased construction and demolition activities during winter months in the U.S., and (b) reduced E&P activity during harsh weather conditions, with expected fluctuation between our highest and lowest quarters of approximately 10% to 13%. In addition, some of our operating costs may be higher in the winter months. Adverse winter weather conditions slow waste collection activities, resulting in higher labor and operational costs. Greater precipitation in the winter increases the weight of collected municipal solid waste, resulting in higher disposal costs, which are calculated on a per ton basis.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk, including changes in interest rates and prices of certain commodities. We use hedge agreements to manage a portion of our risks related to interest rates and fuel prices. While we are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to our hedge agreements, in all cases such counterparties are highly rated financial institutions and we do not anticipate non-performance. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. We monitor our hedge positions by regularly evaluating the positions at market and by performing sensitivity analyses over the unhedged fuel and variable rate debt positions.

At March 31, 2013, our derivative instruments included three interest rate swap agreements that effectively fix the interest rate on the applicable notional amounts of our variable rate debt as follows (dollars in thousands):

Date Entered	Notional Amount		Fixed Interest Rate Paid*			Variable Interest Rate Received	Effective Date	Expiration Date
March 2009	$	175,000		2.85	%	1-month LIBOR	February 2011	February 2014
August 2011	$	150,000		0.80	%	1-month LIBOR	April 2012	January 2015
December 2011	$	175,000		1.60	%	1-month LIBOR	February 2014	February 2017

* plus applicable margin.

Under derivatives and hedging guidance, the interest rate swap agreements are considered cash flow hedges for a portion of our variable rate debt, and we apply hedge accounting to account for these instruments. The notional amounts and all other significant terms of the swap agreements are matched to the provisions and terms of the variable rate debt being hedged.

We have performed sensitivity analyses to determine how market rate changes will affect the fair value of our unhedged floating rate debt. Such an analysis is inherently limited in that it reflects a singular, hypothetical set of assumptions. Actual market movements may vary significantly from our assumptions. Fair value sensitivity is not necessarily indicative of the ultimate cash flow or earnings effect we would recognize from the assumed market rate movements. We are exposed to cash flow risk due to changes in interest rates with respect to the unhedged floating rate balances owed at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, of $1.191 billion and $1.298 billion, respectively, including floating rate debt under our credit facility, term loan facility and floating rate municipal bond obligations. A one percentage point increase in interest rates on our variable-rate debt as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, would decrease our annual pre-tax income by approximately $11.9 million and $13.0 million, respectively. All of our remaining debt instruments are at fixed rates, or effectively fixed under the interest rate swap agreements described above; therefore, changes in market interest rates under these instruments would not significantly impact our cash flows or results of operations, subject to counterparty default risk.

Page 47

The market price of diesel fuel is unpredictable and can fluctuate significantly. We purchase approximately 30 million gallons of fuel per year; therefore, a significant increase in the price of fuel could adversely affect our business and reduce our operating margins. To manage a portion of this risk, we periodically enter into fuel hedge agreements related to forecasted diesel fuel purchases.

At March 31, 2013, our derivative instruments included one fuel hedge agreement as follows:

Date Entered	Notional Amount (in  gallons per month)		Diesel Rate Paid Fixed		Diesel Rate Received Variable	Effective Date	Expiration Date
June 2012		300,000	$	3.60	DOE Diesel Fuel Index*	January 2014	December 2015

* If the national U.S. on-highway average price for a gallon of diesel fuel (“average price”), as published by the Department of Energy, exceeds the contract price per gallon, we receive the difference between the average price and the contract price (multiplied by the notional number of gallons) from the counterparty. If the average price is less than the contract price per gallon, we pay the difference to the counterparty.

Under derivatives and hedging guidance, the fuel hedge is considered a cash flow hedge for a portion of our forecasted diesel fuel purchases, and we apply hedge accounting to account for this instrument.

We have performed sensitivity analyses to determine how market rate changes will affect the fair value of our unhedged diesel fuel purchases. Such an analysis is inherently limited in that it reflects a singular, hypothetical set of assumptions. Actual market movements may vary significantly from our assumptions. Fair value sensitivity is not necessarily indicative of the ultimate cash flow or earnings effect we would recognize from the assumed market rate movements. For the year ending December 31, 2013, we expect to purchase approximately 30 million gallons of fuel at market prices. During the nine month period of April 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013, we expect to purchase approximately 22.5 million gallons of fuel at market prices; therefore, a $0.10 per gallon increase in the price of fuel over the remaining nine months in 2013 would decrease our pre-tax income during this period by approximately $2.3 million.

We market a variety of recyclable materials, including cardboard, office paper, plastic containers, glass bottles and ferrous and aluminum metals. We own and operate 38 recycling processing operations and sell other collected recyclable materials to third parties for processing before resale. To reduce our exposure to commodity price risk with respect to recycled materials, we have adopted a pricing strategy of charging collection and processing fees for recycling volume collected from third parties. In the event of a decline in recycled commodity prices, a 10% decrease in average recycled commodity prices from the average prices that were in effect during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, would have had a $1.7 million and $1.9 million impact on revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Page 48

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of March 31, 2013, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level such that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports: (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (2) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Page 49

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information regarding our legal proceedings can be found in Note 16 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Page 50

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
Date: April 25, 2013	BY:	/s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
		Ronald J. Mittelstaedt,
		Chief Executive Officer
Date: April 25, 2013	BY:	/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
		Worthing F. Jackman,
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Page 51

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibits
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on February 8, 2012)
3.2	Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, effective May 15, 2009 (incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2009)
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
32.1	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

Page 52

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Waste Connections, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 25, 2013

/s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Worthing F. Jackman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Waste Connections, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 25, 2013

/s/ Worthing F. Jackman

Worthing F. Jackman

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The undersigned, Ronald J. Mittelstaedt and Worthing F. Jackman, being the duly elected and acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the quarterly report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2013, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: April 25, 2013	By:	/s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
		Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
		Chief Executive Officer
Date: April 25, 2013	By:	/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
		Worthing F. Jackman
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

XML

Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 2,131,353		$ 2,238,935
Less - current portion	(35,182)		(33,968)
Long-term debt and notes payable	2,096,171		2,204,967
Revolver Under Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	690,000	[1]	787,000	[1]
Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	790,000	[1]	800,000	[1]
6.22% Senior Notes due 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	175,000		175,000
3.30% Senior Notes due 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	100,000		100,000
4.00% Senior Notes due 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	50,000		50,000
5.25% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	175,000		175,000
4.64% Senior Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	100,000		100,000
Tax-exempt bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	35,655	[1]	35,655	[1]
2.5% to 10.9% notes payable to sellers and other third parties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 15,698	[1]	$ 16,280	[1]

[1] Interest rates in the table above represent the range of interest rates incurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2013.

XML

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 41,556	$ 31,303
Denominator:
Basic shares outstanding	123,380,799	115,188,134
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants	202,115	339,747
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units	322,015	348,580
Diluted shares outstanding	123,904,929	115,876,461

XML

Total Reported Revenues by Service Line (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	$ 506,759		$ 431,656
Less: intercompany elimination	(56,867)	[1]	(55,226)	[1]
Total revenues	449,892		376,430
Solid Waste Collection
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	293,144		277,088
Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	122,772		117,739
E&P Waste Treatment, Disposal and Recovery
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	59,931		4,256
Solid Waste Recycling
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	18,794		21,215
Intermodal and Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	$ 12,118		$ 11,358

[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.

XML

Net Income Per Share Information - Additional Information (Detail) (Stock Options and Warrants)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Stock Options and Warrants
Computation Of Earnings Per Share Line Items
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	8,641

XML

Changes in Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012 Western	Mar. 31, 2013 Western	Dec. 31, 2012 Western	Mar. 31, 2013 Central	Mar. 31, 2012 Central	Mar. 31, 2013 Eastern	Mar. 31, 2012 Eastern	Mar. 31, 2013 Exploration and Production
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 1,636,557	$ 1,116,888	$ 313,038	$ 373,143	$ 373,143	$ 430,412	$ 424,223	$ 380,561	$ 379,627	$ 452,441
Goodwill transferred						(9,196)				9,196
Goodwill acquired	782	59,637	56,747			1	2,867	24	23	757
Goodwill divested		(496)					(496)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 1,637,339	$ 1,176,029	$ 369,785	$ 373,143	$ 373,143	$ 421,217	$ 426,594	$ 380,585	$ 379,650	$ 462,394

XML

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Assets and Liabilities Measured At Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were as follows:

	Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2013 Using
	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position	$	(9,823	)	$	—	$	(9,823	)	$	—
Fuel hedge derivative instrument – net asset position	$	1,778		$	—	$	—		$	1,778
Restricted assets	$	33,739		$	33,739	$	—		$	—

	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012 Using
	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position	$	(11,163	)	$	—	$	(11,163	)	$	—
Fuel hedge derivative instrument – net asset position	$	1,187		$	—	$	—		$	1,187
Restricted assets	$	33,425		$	33,425	$	—		$	—

Change in Fair Value for Level 3 Derivatives

The following table summarizes the change in the fair value for Level 3 derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2013:

	Level 3 Derivatives
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	1,187
Unrealized gains included in AOCL		591
Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	1,778

The following table summarizes the change in the fair value for Level 3 derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2012:

	Level 3 Derivatives
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	3,506
Realized gains included in earnings		(1,129	)
Unrealized gains included in AOCL		1,473
Balance as of March 31, 2012	$	3,850

XML

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap derivative instruments - net liability position	$ (9,823)	$ (11,163)
Fuel hedge derivative instrument - net asset position	1,778	1,187
Restricted assets	33,739	33,425
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Restricted assets	33,739	33,425
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap derivative instruments - net liability position	(9,823)	(11,163)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fuel hedge derivative instrument - net asset position	$ 1,778	$ 1,187

XML

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On April 24, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company’s common stock. The dividend will be paid on May 22, 2013, to stockholders of record on the close of business on May 8, 2013.

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments - Company's Derivative Instruments of Interest Rate Swaps (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Interest Rate Swap One
Derivative [Line Items]
Date Entered	2009-03
Notional Amount	$ 175,000
Fixed Interest Rate Paid	2.85%	[1]
Variable Interest Rate Received	1-month LIBOR
Effective Date	2011-02
Expiration Date	2014-02
Interest Rate Swap Two
Derivative [Line Items]
Date Entered	2011-08
Notional Amount	150,000
Fixed Interest Rate Paid	0.80%	[1]
Variable Interest Rate Received	1-month LIBOR
Effective Date	2012-04
Expiration Date	2015-01
Interest Rate Swap Three
Derivative [Line Items]
Date Entered	2011-12
Notional Amount	$ 175,000
Fixed Interest Rate Paid	1.60%	[1]
Variable Interest Rate Received	1-month LIBOR
Effective Date	2014-02
Expiration Date	2017-02

[1] plus applicable margin.

XML

Intangible Assets Exclusive of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 379,594	$ 379,605
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, Gross	633,237	633,248
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(97,775)	(91,340)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	281,819	288,265
Intangible assets, net, exclusive of goodwill	535,462	541,908
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	253,643	253,643
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	253,643	253,643
Solid Waste Collection and Transportation Permits
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	151,505	151,505
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	151,505	151,505
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	59,855
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	59,855	59,855
Long-term Franchise Agreements and Contracts
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	198,768	198,779
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(40,400)	(38,447)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	158,368	160,332
Customer Lists
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	139,354	139,354
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(47,630)	(43,457)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	91,724	95,897
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	(6,917)	(6,815)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	2,457	2,559
Other Intangibles
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	32,098	32,098
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(2,828)	(2,621)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	$ 29,270	$ 29,477

XML

Landfill Accounting - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Landfill	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of municipal solid waste landfills owned and operated by company	42
Number of owned landfills that only accept exploration and production waste	5
Number of owned landfills that only accept construction and demolition and other non-putrescible waste	7
Number of landfills owned and operated by company	43
Number of landfills operated, not owned, under life of site operating agreements	6
Number of landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements	5
Net Book Value Landfill Site Costs	$ 1,645,251
Number of life-of-site landfills for which the Company is responsible for final capping, closure and post-closure maintenance obligations	5
Average remaining landfill life based on permitted capacity and projected annual disposal volumes	37 years
Number of owned landfills the company is seeking to expand	8
Number of landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements that the company is seeking to expand	2
Average remaining landfill life based on permitted capacity, projected annual disposal volumes and probable expansion capacity	46 years
Life of Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life of site operating agreements min range	6 years
Life of Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life of site operating agreements max range	240 years
Landfill depletion expense	18,399	9,540
Average rate per ton consumed related to landfill depletion at owned landfills and landfills operated under life of site agreements	4.22	2.91
Discount rate for purposes of computing layers for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations	5.75%		5.75%
Inflation rate for purposes of computing layers for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations	2.50%		2.50%
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations	707	612
Average rate per ton consumed related to final capping, closure and post-closure landfill accretion expense	0.16	0.19
Restricted asset balance for purposes of securing our performance of future final capping, closure and post-closure obligations	$ 32,564

XML

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Designated as cash flow Hedges, Asset derivatives	$ 1,778		$ 1,187
Derivatives Designated as cash flow Hedges, Liability derivatives	(9,823)		(11,163)
Interest Rate Swap | Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Designated as cash flow Hedges, Liability derivatives	(5,048)	[1]	(5,374)
Interest Rate Swap | Other Long-term Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Designated as cash flow Hedges, Liability derivatives	(4,775)		(5,789)
Fuel Hedge | Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Designated as cash flow Hedges, Asset derivatives	282	[2]
Fuel Hedge | Other Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives Designated as cash flow Hedges, Asset derivatives	$ 1,496		$ 1,187

[1] Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized losses on interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2013 (based on the interest rate yield curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in interest rates.

[2] Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized gains on the fuel hedge as of March 31, 2013 (based on the forward DOE diesel fuel index curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in diesel fuel prices.

XML

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Feb. 27, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Sale of Common Stock, shares		12,000,000
Sale of Common Stock, par value		$ 0.01	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Sale of Common Stock, Price Per Share		$ 30.83
Proceeds from sale of Common Stock				$ 369,460
Underwriting discounts and estimated transaction expenses payable				500
Weighted average grant date fair value per share			$ 34.02
Repurchase of common stock, maximum value			1,200,000
Remaining value of common stock authorized under repurchase program			415,960
Cash dividend per common share, increase	$ 0.01
Cash dividend per share			$ 0.10	$ 0.09
Cash dividends on common stock			$ 12,310	$ 10,010
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash dividend per share	$ 0.09
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash dividend per share	$ 0.10

XML

Reconciliation of Primary Measure of Segment Profitability to Income Before Income Tax Provision (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
EBITDA	$ 144,678	[1]	$ 108,575	[1]
Depreciation	(51,649)		(37,173)
Amortization of intangibles	(6,438)		(5,631)
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	322		(715)
Interest expense	(19,012)		(12,285)
Other income, net	742		819
Income before income tax provision	68,643		53,590
Western
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
EBITDA	58,576	[1]	53,802	[1]
Central
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
EBITDA	40,238	[1]	35,450	[1]
Eastern
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
EBITDA	25,881	[1]	24,534	[1]
Exploration and Production
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
EBITDA	22,587	[1]	1,932	[1]
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
EBITDA	147,282		115,718
Unallocated corporate overhead
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
EBITDA	$ (2,604)	[1],[2]	$ (7,143)	[1],[2]

[1] For those items included in the determination of EBITDA, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

[2] Corporate functions include accounting, legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, training and other administrative functions. Amounts reflected are net of allocations to the four operating segments.

XML

Basis of Presentation and Summary

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Basis of Presentation and Summary

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements relate to Waste Connections, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“WCI” or the “Company”) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of net income, comprehensive income, cash flows and equity include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair statement in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Examples include accounting for landfills, self-insurance accruals, income taxes, allocation of acquisition purchase price and asset impairments. An additional area that involves estimation is when the Company estimates the amount of potential exposure it may have with respect to litigation, claims and assessments in accordance with the accounting guidance on contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that the Company uses in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

XML

Summary of Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Unvested Shares
Outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	1,317,798
Granted	571,267
Forfeited	(19,948)
Vested and Issued	(470,559)
Vested and Unissued	(61,518)
Outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	1,337,040

XML

Estimated Future Amortization Expense of Amortizable Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
For the year ending December 31, 2013	$ 25,061
For the year ending December 31, 2014	24,372
For the year ending December 31, 2015	23,758
For the year ending December 31, 2016	19,803
For the year ending December 31, 2017	$ 17,831

XML

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Intangible Assets Exclusive of Goodwill

Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at March 31, 2013:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts	$	198,768	$	(40,400	)	$	158,368
Customer lists		139,354		(47,630	)		91,724
Non-competition agreements		9,374		(6,917	)		2,457
Other		32,098		(2,828	)		29,270
		379,594		(97,775	)		281,819
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Solid waste collection and transportation permits		151,505		—			151,505
Material recycling facility permits		42,283		—			42,283
E&P facility permits		59,855		—			59,855
		253,643		—			253,643
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill	$	633,237	$	(97,775	)	$	535,462

Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at December 31, 2012:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts	$	198,779	$	(38,447	)	$	160,332
Customer lists		139,354		(43,457	)		95,897
Non-competition agreements		9,374		(6,815	)		2,559
Other		32,098		(2,621	)		29,477
		379,605		(91,340	)		288,265
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Solid waste collection and transportation permits		151,505		—			151,505
Material recycling facility permits		42,283		—			42,283
E&P facility permits		59,855		—			59,855
		253,643		—			253,643
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill	$	633,248	$	(91,340	)	$	541,908

Estimated Future Amortization Expense of Amortizable Intangible Assets

Estimated future amortization expense for the next five years of finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:

For the year ending December 31, 2013	$	25,061
For the year ending December 31, 2014	$	24,372
For the year ending December 31, 2015	$	23,758
For the year ending December 31, 2016	$	19,803
For the year ending December 31, 2017	$	17,831

XML

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
Revolver under credit facility, bearing interest ranging from 1.47% to 4.25%*	$	690,000		$	787,000
Term loan facility, bearing interest ranging from 2.20% to 2.70%*		790,000			800,000
2015 Notes, bearing interest at 6.22%		175,000			175,000
2016 Notes, bearing interest at 3.30%		100,000			100,000
2018 Notes, bearing interest at 4.00%		50,000			50,000
2019 Notes, bearing interest at 5.25%		175,000			175,000
2021 Notes, bearing interest at 4.64%		100,000			100,000
Tax-exempt bonds, bearing interest ranging from 0.12% to 0.24%*		35,655			35,655
Notes payable to sellers and other third parties, bearing interest at 2.5% to 10.9%*		15,698			16,280
		2,131,353			2,238,935
Less – current portion		(35,182	)		(33,968	)
	$	2,096,171		$	2,204,967

* Interest rates in the table above represent the range of interest rates incurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2013.

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013
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	$ 3.93
Weighted average DOE index curve used in DCF model	$ 3.85

XML

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Segment Customer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of contracts or customers accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total revenues at the consolidated or reportable segment level	0
Number of geographic operating segments	3
Accumulated impairment losses associated with goodwill	$ 0

XML

Segment Reporting (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Summary of Financial Information Concerning Company's Reportable Segments

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, is shown in the following tables:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Gross Revenues		Intercompany Revenues(b)			Net Revenues		EBITDA(c)
Western	$	216,345	$	(23,194	)	$	193,151	$	58,576
Central		127,963		(13,370	)		114,593		40,238
Eastern		105,430		(17,660	)		87,770		25,881
E&P		57,021		(2,643	)		54,378		22,587
Corporate(a)		—		—			—		(2,604	)
	$	506,759	$	(56,867	)	$	449,892	$	144,678

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012	Gross Revenues		Intercompany Revenues(b)			Net Revenues		EBITDA(c)
Western	$	204,681	$	(24,021	)	$	180,660	$	53,802
Central		116,913		(13,084	)		103,829		35,450
Eastern		107,158		(18,121	)		89,037		24,534
E&P		2,904		—			2,904		1,932
Corporate(a)		—		—			—		(7,143	)
	$	431,656	$	(55,226	)	$	376,430	$	108,575

(a) Corporate functions include accounting, legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, training and other administrative functions. Amounts reflected are net of allocations to the four operating segments.

(b) 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.

(c) For those items included in the determination of EBITDA, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes In Goodwill by Reportable Segment

The following tables show changes in goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, by reportable segment:

	Western		Central			Eastern		E&P		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	373,143	$	430,412		$	380,561	$	452,441	$	1,636,557
Goodwill transferred		—		(9,196	)		—		9,196		—
Goodwill acquired		—		1			24		757		782
Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	373,143	$	421,217		$	380,585	$	462,394	$	1,637,339
	Western		Central			Eastern		E&P		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	313,038	$	424,223		$	379,627	$	—	$	1,116,888
Goodwill acquired		56,747		2,867			23		—		59,637
Goodwill divested		—		(496	)		—		—		(496	)
Balance as of March 31, 2012	$	369,785	$	426,594		$	379,650	$	—	$	1,176,029

Reconciliation of Company's Primary Measure of Segment Profitability to Income Before Income Tax Provision

A reconciliation of the Company’s primary measure of segment profitability (EBITDA) to Income before income tax provision in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income is as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Western segment EBITDA	$	58,576		$	53,802
Central segment EBITDA		40,238			35,450
Eastern segment EBITDA		25,881			24,534
E&P segment EBITDA		22,587			1,932
Subtotal reportable segments		147,282			115,718
Unallocated corporate overhead		(2,604	)		(7,143	)
Depreciation		(51,649	)		(37,173	)
Amortization of intangibles		(6,438	)		(5,631	)
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets		322			(715	)
Interest expense		(19,012	)		(12,285	)
Other income, net		742			819
Income before income tax provision	$	68,643		$	53,590

Total Reported Revenues by Service Line

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the Company’s total reported revenues by service line and with intercompany eliminations:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Solid waste collection	$	293,144		$	277,088
Solid waste disposal and transfer		122,772			117,739
E&P waste treatment, disposal and recovery		59,931			4,256
Solid waste recycling		18,794			21,215
Intermodal and other		12,118			11,358
		506,759			431,656
Less: intercompany elimination		(56,867	)		(55,226	)
Total revenues	$	449,892		$	376,430

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2013, were as follows:

Derivatives Designated as Cash	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Interest rate swaps				Accrued liabilities(a)	$	(5,048	)
				Other long-term liabilities		(4,775	)
Fuel hedge	Prepaid expenses and other current assets(b)	$	282
	Other assets, net		1,496
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		$	1,778		$	(9,823	)

(a) Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized losses on interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2013 (based on the interest rate yield curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in interest rates.

(b) Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized gains on the fuel hedge as of March 31, 2013 (based on the forward DOE diesel fuel index curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in diesel fuel prices.

The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2012, were as follows:

Derivatives Designated as Cash	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Interest rate swaps				Accrued liabilities	$	(5,374	)
				Other long-term liabilities		(5,789	)
Fuel hedge	Other assets, net	$	1,187
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		$	1,187		$	(11,163	)

Impact of Cash Flow Hedges on Results of Operations, Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the impact of the Company’s cash flow hedges on the results of operations, comprehensive income and AOCL for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized as AOCL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (Effective Portion)(a)							Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings,  Net of Tax (Effective Portion) (b),(c)
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	Three Months Ended March 31,						Statement of Income Classification	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012				2013		2012
Interest rate swaps	$	(18	)	$	(623	)	Interest expense	$	852	$	708
Fuel hedge		364			913		Cost of operations		—		(700	)
Total	$	346		$	(290	)		$	852	$	8

(a) In accordance with the derivatives and hedging guidance, the effective portions of the changes in fair values of interest rate swaps and the fuel hedge have been recorded in equity as a component of AOCL. As the critical terms of the interest rate swaps match the underlying debt being hedged, no ineffectiveness is recognized on these swaps and, therefore, all unrealized changes in fair value are recorded in AOCL. Because changes in the actual price of diesel fuel and changes in the DOE index price do not offset exactly each reporting period, the Company assesses whether the fuel hedge is highly effective using the cumulative dollar offset approach.

(b) Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps are recognized when interest payments or receipts occur related to the swap contracts, which correspond to when interest payments are made on the Company’s hedged debt.

(c) Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on the fuel hedge are recognized when settlement payments or receipts occur related to the hedge contract, which correspond to when the underlying fuel is consumed.

Interest Rate Swap

Company's Derivative Instruments

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative instruments included three interest rate swap agreements as follows:

Date Entered	Notional Amount		Fixed Interest Rate Paid*			Variable Interest Rate Received	Effective Date	Expiration Date
March 2009	$	175,000		2.85	%	1-month LIBOR	February 2011	February 2014
August 2011	$	150,000		0.80	%	1-month LIBOR	April 2012	January 2015
December 2011	$	175,000		1.60	%	1-month LIBOR	February 2014	February 2017

* plus applicable margin.

Fuel Hedge Agreements

Company's Derivative Instruments

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative instruments included one fuel hedge agreement as follows:

Date Entered	Notional Amount (in  gallons per month)		Diesel Rate Paid Fixed (per gallon)		Diesel Rate Received Variable			Effective Date		Expiration Date
June 2012		300,000	$	3.60		DOE Diesel Fuel Index	*		January 2014		December 2015

* If the national U.S. on-highway average price for a gallon of diesel fuel (“average price”), as published by the Department of Energy (“DOE”), exceeds the contract price per gallon, the Company receives the difference between the average price and the contract price (multiplied by the notional number of gallons) from the counterparty. If the average price is less than the contract price per gallon, the Company pays the difference to the counterparty.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 41,680	$ 31,439
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	(322)	715
Depreciation	51,649	37,173
Amortization of intangibles	6,438	5,631
Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions	16,524	12,101
Amortization of debt issuance costs	858	415
Equity-based compensation	3,594	7,596
Interest income on restricted assets	(113)	(112)
Interest accretion	1,293	836
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation	(2,098)	(3,005)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions	13,455	7,792
Net cash provided by operating activities	132,958	100,581
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(138,908)
Proceeds from adjustment to acquisition consideration	18,000
Capital expenditures for property and equipment	(36,905)	(27,953)
Proceeds from disposal of assets	723	753
Other	(926)	(1,861)
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,108)	(167,969)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	26,500	184,000
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt	(134,083)	(474,865)
Payment of contingent consideration	(229)	(3,528)
Change in book overdraft	(17)	321
Proceeds from option and warrant exercises	761	530
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation	2,098	3,005
Payments for cash dividends	(12,310)	(10,010)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units	(5,280)	(5,904)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(198)	(95)
Debt issuance costs	(24)
Proceeds from common stock offering, net		369,460
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(122,782)	62,914
Net decrease in cash and equivalents	(8,932)	(4,474)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	23,212	12,643
Cash and equivalents at end of period	14,280	8,169
Non-cash financing activity:
Liabilities assumed and notes payable issued to sellers of businesses acquired		$ 9,974

XML

Net Income Per Share Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the calculation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to the Company’s common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	41,556	$	31,303
Denominator:
Basic shares outstanding		123,380,799		115,188,134
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants		202,115		339,747
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units		322,015		348,580
Diluted shares outstanding		123,904,929		115,876,461

XML

Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Revolver Under Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	1.47%	[1]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	4.25%	[1]
Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	2.20%	[1]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	2.70%	[1]
6.22% Senior Notes due 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	6.22%
Maturity year	2015
3.30% Senior Notes due 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	3.30%
Maturity year	2016
4.00% Senior Notes due 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	4.00%
Maturity year	2018
5.25% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	5.25%
Maturity year	2019
4.64% Senior Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	4.64%
Maturity year	2021
Tax-exempt bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.12%	[1]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	0.24%	[1]
2.5% to 10.9% notes payable to sellers and other third parties
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	2.50%	[1]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	10.90%	[1]

[1] Interest rates in the table above represent the range of interest rates incurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2013.

XML

Impact of Cash Flow Hedges on Results of Operations, Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (Cash Flow Hedging, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized as AOCL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (Effective Portion)	$ 346	[1]	$ (290)	[1]
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings, Net of Tax (Effective portion)	852	[2],[3]	8	[2],[3]
Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings, Net of Tax (Effective portion)	852	[2],[3]	708	[2],[3]
Cost Of Operations
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings, Net of Tax (Effective portion)			(700)	[2],[3]
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized as AOCL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (Effective Portion)	(18)	[1]	(623)	[1]
Fuel Hedge
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized as AOCL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (Effective Portion)	$ 364	[1]	$ 913	[1]

[1] In accordance with the derivatives and hedging guidance, the effective portions of the changes in fair values of interest rate swaps and the fuel hedge have been recorded in equity as a component of AOCL. As the critical terms of the interest rate swaps match the underlying debt being hedged, no ineffectiveness is recognized on these swaps and, therefore, all unrealized changes in fair value are recorded in AOCL. Because changes in the actual price of diesel fuel and changes in the DOE index price do not offset exactly each reporting period, the Company assesses whether the fuel hedge is highly effective using the cumulative dollar offset approach.

[2] Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps are recognized when interest payments or receipts occur related to the swap contracts, which correspond to when interest payments are made on the Company's hedged debt.

[3] Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on the fuel hedge are recognized when settlement payments or receipts occur related to the hedge contract, which correspond to when the underlying fuel is consumed.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 14,280	$ 23,212
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,491 and $6,548 at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	219,915	235,762
Deferred income taxes	36,096	45,798
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	32,799	57,714
Total current assets	303,090	362,486
Property and equipment, net	2,436,035	2,457,606
Goodwill	1,637,339	1,636,557
Intangible assets, net	535,462	541,908
Restricted assets	35,002	34,889
Other assets, net	42,875	42,580
Total Assets	4,989,803	5,076,026
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	118,237	130,260
Book overdraft	12,549	12,567
Accrued liabilities	118,193	121,829
Deferred revenue	68,850	69,930
Current portion of contingent consideration	49,136	49,018
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable	35,182	33,968
Total current liabilities	402,147	417,572
Long-term debt and notes payable	2,096,171	2,204,967
Long-term portion of contingent consideration	30,660	30,346
Other long-term liabilities	73,716	75,129
Deferred income taxes	472,436	464,882
Total liabilities	3,075,130	3,192,896
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
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; 123,418,612 and 123,019,494 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,234	1,230
Additional paid-in capital	781,073	779,904
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,967)	(6,165)
Retained earnings	1,132,434	1,103,188
Total Waste Connections' equity	1,909,774	1,878,157
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	4,899	4,973
Total equity	1,914,673	1,883,130
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 4,989,803	$ 5,076,026

XML

Summary of Financial Information Concerning Company's Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	$ 506,759		$ 431,656
Less: intercompany elimination	(56,867)	[1]	(55,226)	[1]
Net Revenues	449,892		376,430
EBITDA	144,678	[2]	108,575	[2]
Western
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	216,345		204,681
Less: intercompany elimination	(23,194)	[1]	(24,021)	[1]
Net Revenues	193,151		180,660
EBITDA	58,576	[2]	53,802	[2]
Central
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	127,963		116,913
Less: intercompany elimination	(13,370)	[1]	(13,084)	[1]
Net Revenues	114,593		103,829
EBITDA	40,238	[2]	35,450	[2]
Eastern
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	105,430		107,158
Less: intercompany elimination	(17,660)	[1]	(18,121)	[1]
Net Revenues	87,770		89,037
EBITDA	25,881	[2]	24,534	[2]
Exploration and Production
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross Revenues	57,021		2,904
Less: intercompany elimination	(2,643)	[1]
Net Revenues	54,378		2,904
EBITDA	22,587	[2]	1,932	[2]
Unallocated corporate overhead
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
EBITDA	$ (2,604)	[2],[3]	$ (7,143)	[2],[3]

[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.

[2] For those items included in the determination of EBITDA, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

[3] Corporate functions include accounting, legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, training and other administrative functions. Amounts reflected are net of allocations to the four operating segments.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,399,687	$ 1,109	$ 408,721	$ (3,480)	$ 988,560	$ 4,777
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		110,907,782
Vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)		574,949
Vesting of restricted stock units		6	(6)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units	(5,904)	(2)	(5,902)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units, shares		(184,881)
Equity-based compensation	7,596		7,596
Exercise of stock options and warrants	530	1	529
Exercise of stock options and warrants, Shares		57,565
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs of $500 (in shares)		12,000,000
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs of $500	369,460	120	369,340
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation	3,005		3,005
Cash dividends on common stock	(10,010)				(10,010)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes	8			8
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes	290			290
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(95)					(95)
Net income	31,439				31,303	136
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2012	1,796,006	1,234	783,283	(3,182)	1,009,853	4,818
Ending Balances, Shares at Mar. 31, 2012		123,355,415
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	1,883,130	1,230	779,904	(6,165)	1,103,188	4,973
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	123,019,494	123,019,494
Vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)		470,559
Vesting of restricted stock units		4	(4)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units	(5,280)	(1)	(5,279)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units, shares		(148,219)
Equity-based compensation	3,594		3,594
Exercise of stock options and warrants	761	1	760
Exercise of stock options and warrants, Shares		76,778
Excess tax benefit associated with equity-based compensation	2,098		2,098
Cash dividends on common stock	(12,310)				(12,310)
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes	852			852
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes	346			346
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(198)					(198)
Net income	41,680				41,556	124
Ending Balances at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 1,914,673	$ 1,234	$ 781,073	$ (4,967)	$ 1,132,434	$ 4,899
Ending Balances, Shares at Mar. 31, 2013	123,418,612	123,418,612

XML

Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), Gross Total	$ 1,931	$ 481
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(733)	(183)
Amounts reclassified, Net of tax	852	8
Changes in fair value, net of taxes	346	290
Other comprehensive income (loss), Total, Net of tax	1,198	298
Interest Rate Swap
Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified, gross	1,379	1,142
Changes in fair value, gross	(39)	(1,005)
Amounts reclassified, Tax effect	(527)	(434)
Changes in fair value, Tax effect	21	382
Amounts reclassified, Net of tax	852	708
Changes in fair value, net of taxes	(18)	(623)
Fuel Hedge
Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified, gross		(1,129)
Changes in fair value, gross	591	1,473
Amounts reclassified, Tax effect		429
Changes in fair value, Tax effect	(227)	(560)
Amounts reclassified, Net of tax		(700)
Changes in fair value, net of taxes	$ 364	$ 913

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Summary of Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units

A summary of activity related to restricted stock units under the Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan during the three month period ended March 31, 2013, is presented below:

	Unvested Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 2012		1,317,798
Granted		571,267
Forfeited		(19,948	)
Vested and Issued		(470,559	)
Vested and Unissued		(61,518	)
Outstanding at March 31, 2013		1,337,040

XML

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 24, 2013
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend per share	$ 0.10
Dividend paid date	May 22, 2013
Dividend record date	May 08, 2013

XML

Stockholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Stockholders' Equity

14. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Sale of Common Stock

On February 27, 2012, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, in connection with the offer and sale by the Company of 12,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The shares of common stock were sold to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at a price of $30.83 per share. The offering closed on March 2, 2012. The Company received net proceeds from this offering of $369,460 after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated transaction expenses payable by the Company of approximately $500.

Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of activity related to restricted stock units under the Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan during the three month period ended March 31, 2013, is presented below:

	Unvested Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 2012		1,317,798
Granted		571,267
Forfeited		(19,948	)
Vested and Issued		(470,559	)
Vested and Unissued		(61,518	)
Outstanding at March 31, 2013		1,337,040

The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the shares of common stock underlying the restricted stock units granted during the three month period ended March 31, 2013 was $34.02.

Share Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $1,200,000 of common stock through December 31, 2014. Under the program, stock repurchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at management’s discretion. The timing and amounts of any repurchases will depend on many factors, including the Company’s capital structure, the market price of the common stock and overall market conditions. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. As of March 31, 2013, the remaining maximum dollar value of shares available for repurchase under the program was approximately $415,960. The Company’s policy related to repurchases of its common stock is to charge any excess of cost over par value entirely to additional paid-in capital.

Cash Dividend

In October 2012, the Company announced that its Board of Directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by $0.01, from $0.09 to $0.10 per share. Cash dividends of $12,310 and $10,010 were paid during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

XML

Carrying Values and Fair Values of Debt Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	$ 2,131,353		$ 2,238,935
6.22% Senior Notes due 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	175,000		175,000
Fair value of senior notes	192,645	[1]	193,949	[1]
3.30% Senior Notes due 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	100,000		100,000
Fair value of senior notes	103,132	[1]	103,068	[1]
4.00% Senior Notes due 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	50,000		50,000
Fair value of senior notes	52,601	[1]	52,476	[1]
5.25% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	175,000		175,000
Fair value of senior notes	195,630	[1]	195,584	[1]
4.64% Senior Notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	100,000		100,000
Fair value of senior notes	$ 107,494	[1]	$ 107,418	[1]

[1] * Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is based on quotes of bonds with similar ratings in similar industries.

XML

Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies

16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of its business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the solid waste and E&P waste industries, the Company is subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving federal, state or local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency may seek to impose fines on the Company or to revoke or deny renewal of an operating permit held by the Company. From time to time, the Company may also be subject to actions brought by special interest or other groups, adjacent landowners or residents in connection with the permitting and licensing of landfills, transfer stations, and E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal operations, or alleging environmental damage or violations of the permits and licenses pursuant to which the Company operates.

In addition, the Company is a party to various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violations of certain laws and alleged liabilities arising out of matters occurring during the normal operation of the waste management business. Except as noted in the matters described below, as of March 31, 2013, there is no current proceeding or litigation involving the Company or its property that the Company believes could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Chaparral, New Mexico Landfill Permit Litigation

The Company’s subsidiary, High Desert Solid Waste Facility, Inc. (formerly known as Rhino Solid Waste, Inc.) (“HDSWF”), owns undeveloped property in Chaparral, New Mexico, for which it sought a permit to operate a municipal solid waste landfill. After a public hearing, the New Mexico Environment Department (the “Department”) approved the permit for the facility on January 30, 2002. Colonias Development Council (“CDC”), a nonprofit organization, opposed the permit at the public hearing and appealed the Department’s decision to the courts of New Mexico, primarily on the grounds that the Department failed to consider the social impact of the landfill on the community of Chaparral, and failed to consider regional planning issues. On July 18, 2005, in Colonias Dev. Council v. Rhino Envtl. Servs., Inc. (In re Rhino Envtl. Servs.), 2005 NMSC 24, 117 P.3d 939, the New Mexico Supreme Court remanded the matter back to the Department to conduct a limited public hearing on certain evidence that CDC claimed was wrongfully excluded from consideration by the hearing officer, and to allow the Department to reconsider the evidence already proffered concerning the impact of the landfill on the surrounding community’s quality of life. In July 2007, the Department, CDC, the Company and Otero County signed a stipulation requesting a postponement of the limited public hearing to allow the Company time to explore a possible relocation of the landfill to a new site. Since 2007, the Department has issued several orders postponing the limited public hearing, and on October 17, 2012, it granted a request by the parties to hold the limited public hearing in abeyance until further notice.

In July 2009, HDSWF purchased approximately 325 acres of undeveloped land comprising a proposed new site from the State of New Mexico. HDSWF filed a formal landfill permit application for the new site with the Department on September 17, 2010. On September 12, 2011, the Department deemed the permit application complete and a public hearing on the matter had been tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2012 in Chaparral, New Mexico. On November 9, 2011, HDSWF filed a motion with the Department to hold in abeyance indefinitely the notice for public hearing and the permit hearing. As part of its motion, HDSWF agreed to provide the Department with at least 120 days’ prior notice of any desired, future permit hearing. The Department issued a response in which it did not oppose the motion and agreed to the 120-day notice provision. HDSWF requested the abeyance to defer capital expenditures related to permitting the new site until mid to late 2014, when HDSWF expects to have a better understanding of several current market conditions and regulatory factors that affect the timing and feasibility of the project. These conditions and factors include: the status of the Company’s Solid Waste Disposal and Operating Agreement for the collection and disposal of solid waste generated within the City of El Paso, effective April 28, 2004, which has a 10-year term; the status of El Paso Disposal, LP’s Solid Waste Franchise Agreement for the collection of solid waste generated within the City of El Paso, effective September 1, 2011, which has a 40-month term; whether the City of El Paso implements flow control in September 2014 directing waste collected within its boundaries to City-owned disposal facilities; and whether certain closed or non-operating disposal facilities in the El Paso market area are reopened and whether those facilities are operated by private or public entities.

At March 31, 2013, the Company had $11,778 of capitalized expenditures related to this landfill development project. Depending on the outcome of the market conditions and regulatory factors described above, the Company may decide in mid to late 2014 to abandon the project and expense the $11,778 of capitalized expenditures, less the recoverable value of the undeveloped properties and other amounts recovered, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period. Alternatively, if the outcome of the market conditions and regulatory factors described above is such that the Company believes the market for disposal of solid waste generated in the City of El Paso will remain competitive, HDSWF may decide in mid to late 2014 to resume its permitting process for the new site. Under those circumstances, if the Department ultimately denies the landfill permit application for the new site, HDSWF intends to actively resume its efforts to enforce the previously issued landfill permit for the original site in Chaparral. If the Company is ultimately issued a permit to operate the landfill at the new site purchased in July 2009, the Company will be required to expense in a future period $10,324 of capitalized expenditures related to the original Chaparral property, less the recoverable value of that undeveloped property and other amounts recovered, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period. If the Company instead is ultimately issued a permit to operate the landfill at the original Chaparral property, the Company will be required to expense in a future period $1,454 of capitalized expenditures related to the new site purchased in July 2009, less the recoverable value of that undeveloped property and other amounts recovered. If the Company is not ultimately issued a permit to operate the landfill at either one of the two sites, the Company will be required to expense in a future period the $11,778 of capitalized expenditures, less the recoverable value of the undeveloped properties and other amounts recovered, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period.

Harper County, Kansas Landfill Permit Litigation

The Company opened a municipal solid waste landfill in Harper County, Kansas in January 2006, following the issuance by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (“KDHE”) of a permit to operate the landfill. The landfill has operated continuously since that time. In 2005, landfill opponents (the “Plaintiffs”) filed a suit (Board of Comm’rs of Sumner County, Kansas, Tri-County Concerned Citizens and Dalton Holland v. Roderick Bremby, Sec’y of the Kansas Dep’t of Health and Env’t, et al.) in the District Court of Shawnee County, Kansas, seeking a judicial review of KDHE’s decision to issue the permit, alleging that a site analysis prepared for the Company and submitted to KDHE as part of the process leading to the issuance of the permit was deficient in several respects. The action sought to stay the effectiveness of the permit and to nullify it. The Company intervened in this lawsuit shortly after it was filed. After years of challenging the Plaintiffs’ standing, and the limiting of those matters properly before it, in June 2012 the District Court ruled on the merits of the matter. The District Court entered a Memorandum Decision and Order denying the Plaintiffs’ demand for revocation of the permit, and affirming KDHE’s decision that the issuance of the permit met all applicable regulatory requirements. The Plaintiffs filed an appeal with the Kansas Court of Appeals. The parties’ briefing on the appeal is currently scheduled to be completed in April 2013 and oral argument is scheduled for June 11, 2013. The Company believes that it will prevail in this matter, and the Company will continue to have the right to operate the landfill during the pendency of the appeal. Only in the event that a final, materially adverse determination with respect to the permit is received would there likely be a material adverse effect on the Company’s reported results of operations in the future. If as a result of this litigation, after exhausting all appeals, the Company was unable to continue to operate the landfill, the Company estimates that it would be required to record a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $18,700 to reduce the carrying value of the landfill to its estimated fair value. In addition, the Company estimates the current annual impact to its pre-tax earnings that would result if it was unable to continue to operate the landfill would be approximately $6,700 per year.

Solano County, California Measure E/Landfill Expansion Litigation

The Company and one of its subsidiaries, Potrero Hills Landfill, Inc. (“PHLF”), were named as real parties in interest in an amended complaint captioned Sustainability, Parks, Recycling and Wildlife Legal Defense Fund v. County of Solano, which was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Solano, on July 9, 2009 (the original complaint was filed on June 12, 2009). This lawsuit seeks to compel Solano County to comply with Measure E, a ballot initiative and County ordinance passed in 1984 that the County has not enforced against PHLF since at least 1992. Measure E directs in part that Solano County shall not allow the importation into the County of any solid waste which originated or was collected outside the County in excess of 95,000 tons per year. PHLF accepts for disposal, beneficial reuse and recycling approximately 935,000 tons of solid waste annually, approximately 787,000 tons of which originate from sources outside of Solano County. The Sustainability, Parks, Recycling and Wildlife Legal Defense Fund (“SPRAWLDEF”) lawsuit also seeks to overturn Solano County’s approval of the use permit for the expansion of the Potrero Hills Landfill and the related Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”), arguing that both violate Measure E and that the EIR violates the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). Two similar actions seeking to enforce Measure E, captioned Northern California Recycling Association v. County of Solano and Sierra Club v. County of Solano, were filed in the same court on June 10, 2009, and August 10, 2009, respectively. The Northern California Recycling Association (“NCRA”) case does not name the Company or any of its subsidiaries as parties and does not contain any CEQA claims. The Sierra Club case names PHLF as a real party in interest, and seeks to overturn the use permit for the expansion of the landfill on Measure E grounds (but does not raise CEQA claims).

In December 2009, the Company and PHLF filed briefs vigorously opposing enforcement of Measure E on constitutional and other grounds. The Company’s position is supported by Solano County, a co-defendant in the Measure E litigation. It is also supported by the Attorney General of the State of California, the National Solid Wastes Management Association (“NSWMA”) and the California Refuse Recycling Council (“CRRC”), each of which filed supporting friend of court briefs or letters. In addition, numerous waste hauling companies in California, Oregon and Nevada intervened on the Company’s side in the state cases, subsequent to their participation in the federal action challenging Measure E discussed below.

On May 12, 2010, the Solano County Superior Court issued a written opinion addressing all three cases. The Court upheld Measure E in part by judicially rewriting the law, and then issued a writ of mandamus directing Solano County to enforce Measure E as rewritten. The Court decided that it could cure the law’s discrimination against out-of-county waste by revising Measure E to only limit the importation of waste into Solano County from other counties in California, but not from other states. In the same opinion, the Court rejected the requests from petitioners in the cases for a writ of administrative mandamus to overturn the use permit approved by Solano County in June 2009 for the expansion of PHLF’s landfill, thereby leaving the expansion permit in place.

In December 2010, the Court entered final judgments and writs of mandamus in the three cases, and Solano County, the Company, PHLF and the waste hauling company intervenors filed notices of appeal, which stayed the judgments and writs pending the outcome of the appeal. Petitioners Sierra Club and SPRAWLDEF cross-appealed the Court’s ruling denying their petitions for writs to overturn PHLF’s use permit for the expansion. Seventeen separate entities filed friend of court briefs on behalf of the Company and Solano County in September 2011, including the California Attorney General on behalf of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; the City and County of San Francisco; solid waste joint powers authorities serving the areas of Napa County, the City of Vallejo, the South Lake Tahoe Basin, Central Contra Costa County and the Salinas Valley; the California Association of Sanitation Agencies; sanitation districts serving Los Angeles County and Orange County; the NSWMA; the National Association of Manufacturers; the CRRC; the Los Angeles County Waste Management Association; the Solid Waste Association of Orange County; the Inland Empire Disposal Association; and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association. No friend of court briefs were filed on behalf of the petitioners. The case is now fully briefed and all parties have requested oral argument.

As part of the final judgments, the Solano County Superior Court retained jurisdiction over any motions for attorneys’ fees under California’s Private Attorney General statute. Petitioners NCRA, SPRAWLDEF and Sierra Club each filed a bill of costs and a motion for attorney fees totaling $771. On May 31, 2011, the court issued a final order awarding petitioners $452 in attorneys’ fees, $411 of which relates to the SPRAWLDEF and Sierra Club cases in which the Company or PHLF is a named party. The court allocated 50% of the fee amount to PHLF, none of which the Company recorded as a liability at March 31, 2013. The Company and Solano County appealed this attorneys’ fees order in July 2011. The Court of Appeal has not yet issued a briefing schedule. Once this procedural step is completed, the Company will request a stay of this appeal until the merits of the underlying Measure E cases have been finally determined. If the Company prevails on the appeals of the three underlying cases, then none of the Petitioners would be entitled to attorneys’ fees and costs. If the Company is unsuccessful on these appeals and its future appeals of the attorneys’ fees judgment, PHLF and the County would each ultimately be severally liable for $206 in attorneys’ fees for the SPRAWLDEF and Sierra Club cases. However, in all three cases, the Company may reimburse the County for any such attorneys’ fees under the indemnification provision in PHLF’s use permit.

On February 9, 2012, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) concurred in the solid waste facilities permit related to the Potrero Hills Landfill’s expansion, and the permit was approved and issued by the Solano County Department of Resource Management on February 14, 2012.

On September 25, 2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 845 (“AB 845”), an act of the California Legislature, effective January 1, 2013. AB 845 expressly prohibits counties from restricting or limiting the importation of solid waste into a privately owned facility in a county based on the waste’s place of origin. Because the Company believes that neither the Court of Appeal nor the trial court can grant Petitioners any relief in light of AB 845, it filed a motion with the Court of Appeal on September 27, 2012. The motion seeks to dismiss the cross appeals and reverse and remand the portions of the judgments rendered in Petitioners’ favor regarding enforcement and implementation of Measure E by Solano County, including Petitioners’ recovery of costs, for mootness in light of AB 845, with instructions to the trial court to dismiss the underlying writ petitions with prejudice. Sierra Club and SPRAWLDEF filed oppositions to the Company’s motion. The Court of Appeal has not yet ruled on this pending motion or set an argument date for the appeal.

At this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter. If the court grants the Company’s motion to dismiss the appeals, the judgments requiring Solano County to enforce Measure E and for the Company to pay attorney’s fees related to the Measure E litigation will be dismissed as moot. However, in the event that after all appeals are exhausted the Superior Court’s writ of mandamus enforcing Measure E as rewritten is upheld, the Company estimates that the current annual impact to its pre-tax earnings resulting from the restriction on imports into Solano County would be approximately $6,000 per year. The Company’s estimate could be impacted by various factors, including the County’s allocation of the 95,000 tons per year import restriction among PHLF and the other disposal and composting facilities in Solano County. In addition, if the final rulings on Measure E do not limit the importation of waste into Solano County from other states, the Company could potentially offset a portion of the estimated reduction to its pre-tax earnings by internalizing waste for disposal at PHLF from other states in which the Company operates, or by accepting waste volumes from third party haulers operating outside of California.

SPRAWLDEF additionally filed a lawsuit seeking a writ of mandate in Sacramento County Superior Court on August 20, 2009, captioned SPRAWLDEF v. California Integrated Waste Management Board (“CIWMB”), County of Solano, et al., challenging a CIWMB decision to dismiss SPRAWLDEF’s administrative appeal to the CIWMB seeking to set aside a 2006 solid waste facilities permit issued to Potrero Hills Landfill by the Solano County Local Enforcement Agency. The case names the Company and PHLF as real parties in interest. The appeal was dismissed by the CIWMB for failure to raise a substantial issue. The 2006 facilities permit authorizes operational modifications and enhanced environmental control measures. The case was tried in Sacramento County Superior Court in October 2010, and the Superior Court rejected all of SPRAWLDEF’s claims and ordered the writ petition dismissed. SPRAWLDEF appealed the dismissal to the Third District Court of Appeal. The case has been fully briefed. On March 8, 2012, the Court of Appeal asked for supplemental briefing on two questions, one of which implicates the standing of SPRAWLDEF relative to a claim against the former CIWMB, and the Company responded with a letter brief. Both CIWMB and the County also filed letter briefs. The Company believes (and so advised the Court of Appeal) the case may be moot in light of the February 14, 2012 issuance of the new solid waste facilities permit for the landfill, which supersedes the 2006 permit at issue in the appeal. While the Company believes that the respondent agencies will prevail in this case, in the unlikely event that the 2006 permit was set aside, PHLF would continue to operate the Potrero Hills Landfill under the site’s new 2012 solid waste facilities permit.

On December 17, 2010, SPRAWLDEF and one its members filed a petition for writ of mandate in San Francisco Superior Court seeking to overturn the October 2010 approval of the marsh development permit issued by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (“BCDC”) for PHLF’s landfill expansion, alleging that the approval is contrary to the Suisun Marsh Protection Act (the “Marsh Act”). Petitioners claim that BCDC abused its discretion by issuing the marsh development permit in contravention of the Marsh Act. The petition, captioned SPRAWLDEF v. San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, names BCDC as a respondent and the Company as the real party in interest. On its own motion, the San Francisco Superior Court stayed the action and, on April 5, 2012, transferred the case to Solano County Superior Court, citing that court’s experience in the related CEQA case and judicial economy. On June 5, 2012, Solano County Superior Court assigned the case to Judge Beeman, who held a hearing for oral argument on October 4, 2012. On November 29, 2012, the court issued an order finding that the administrative record before BCDC did not contain sufficient evidence regarding net profits for the proposed project or the alternative to support the agency’s finding that the alternative was economically infeasible. The court therefore issued a writ of mandamus and final judgment on January 14, 2013 setting aside the BCDC permit and remanding it back to the agency for further consideration. On January 15, 2013, the Company filed a notice of appeal, staying execution of the writ and judgment pending the appeal. On January 28, 2013, BCDC also filed a notice of appeal to the writ and judgment. At this point the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter.

On June 10, 2011, June Guidotti, a property owner adjacent to PHLF, and SPRAWLDEF and one of its members, each filed administrative petitions for review with the State Water Resources Control Board (“State Board”) seeking to overturn a May 11, 2011 Order No. 2166-(a) approving waste discharge requirements issued by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (“Regional Board”) for PHLF’s landfill expansion, alleging that the order is contrary to the State Board’s Title 27 regulations authorizing waste discharge requirements for landfills, and in the case of the SPRAWLDEF petition, further alleging that the Regional Board’s issuance of a Clean Water Act section 401 certification is not supported by an adequate alternatives analysis as required by the federal Clean Water Act. The Regional Board is preparing the administrative record of its decision to issue Order 2166-(a) to be filed with the State Board as well as its response to the petitions for review. It is anticipated that the Regional Board will vigorously defend its actions and seek dismissal of the petitions for review. A hearing date has not yet been set on either petition, and the State Board has held both the Guidotti and SPRAWLDEF petitions in abeyance at the petitioners’ requests. At this point the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter.

If as a result of any of the matters described above, after exhausting all appeals, PHLF’s use permit or marsh development permit is permanently rescinded, and the Superior Court’s writ of mandamus enforcing Measure E as rewritten is ultimately upheld, the Company estimates that it would be required to recognize a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $39,000 to reduce the carrying value of PHLF to its estimated fair value, in addition to the approximately $6,000 annual impact to its pre-tax earnings described above. If PHLF’s use permit or marsh development permit is permanently rescinded but Measure E is ultimately ruled to be unenforceable, the Company estimates that it would be required to recognize a pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $33,000 to reduce the carrying value of PHLF to its estimated fair value.

Colonie, New York Landfill Privatization Litigation

In August 2011, one of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Capital Region Landfills, Inc. (“CRL”) and the Town of Colonie, New York (“Colonie”), entered into a Solid Waste Facility Operating Agreement (“Agreement”). CRL was selected to operate Colonie’s solid waste management operations, which include the Colonie Landfill, pursuant to a request for proposals initiated under New York State General Municipal Law (“GML”) section 120-w. CRL commenced solid waste management operations under the Agreement on September 19, 2011.

On September 29, 2011, seven individuals filed a petition in New York State Supreme Court (Albany County) against Colonie, its Town Board and its Supervisor (“Town Respondents”) to challenge the Agreement. The case is captioned, Conners, et al. v. Town of Colonie, et al., Index No. 006312/2011 (Sup. Ct., Albany Co.). On October 17, 2011, the petition was amended to add CRL and the Company as respondents. The petition alleged that the Agreement is the functional equivalent of a lease and therefore should have been subject to the permissive referendum requirements of New York State Town Law (the “Town Law”) sections 64(2) and 90. The petition specifically alleged that Colonie failed to post and publish a notice that the Colonie Board’s resolution authorizing execution of the Agreement was subject to a permissive referendum. The Town Respondents, CRL and the Company filed motions to dismiss on various procedural and substantive grounds.

By decision, order and judgment dated April 5, 2012, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, finding that, even if the Agreement was construed as a lease, (i) a lease entered into pursuant to GML section 120-w is not subject to Town Law’s permissive referendum requirements, and (ii) the petitioners’ claims did not fall within those permitted under GML section 120-w. On May 3, 2012, petitioners filed a notice of appeal with the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Third Department. The petitioners perfected their appeal on January 30, 2013, and Oral argument is scheduled to be held on May 23, 2013.

If the petitioners ultimately prevail on appeal such that the Agreement is nullified and CRL is unable to continue to operate Colonie’s solid waste management operations, the Agreement requires Colonie to repay to CRL an amount equal to a prorated amount of $23,000 of the initial payment made by CRL to Colonie plus the amount of any capital that CRL has invested in the Colonie Landfill. The prorated amount owed to CRL by Colonie would be calculated by dividing the $23,000 plus the amount of invested capital by the number of years of remaining airspace at the Colonie Landfill, as measured from the effective date of the Agreement, and then multiplying the result by the number of years of remaining airspace at the Colonie Landfill, as measured from the date the Agreement is nullified. Furthermore, if the Agreement is nullified as a result of the litigation, Colonie would resume responsibility for all final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities for the Colonie Landfill.

Madera County, California Materials Recovery Facility Contract Litigation

The Company’s subsidiary, Madera Disposal Systems, Inc. (“MDSI”) was named in a complaint captioned County of Madera vs. Madera Disposal Systems, Inc., et al, which was filed in Madera County Superior Court (Case No. MCV 059402) on March 5, 2012, and subsequently transferred to Fresno County Superior Court. In its complaint, Madera County alleges that from 2007 through 2010, MDSI breached a contract with the County for the operation of a materials recovery facility by withholding profits from facility operations in excess of those authorized by the contract. The County further alleges that the breach gives the County the unilateral right to terminate all of its contracts with MDSI, including contracts for (1) the collection of residential and commercial waste in the unincorporated parts of the County, (2) operation of the materials recovery facility, (3) operation of the North Fork Transfer Station and (4) operation of the Fairmead Landfill. The County seeks monetary damages of $2,962 from MDSI, plus pre-judgment interest at 10% per annum.

MDSI had been under contract with the County to collect residential and commercial waste and operate the county-owned Fairmead Landfill continuously since at least 1981. In 1994, MDSI contracted with the County to construct and operate a materials recovery facility for the County on the premises of the Fairmead Landfill. At the time it entered into the materials recovery facility contract, MDSI entered into new contracts with the County for waste collection and landfill operation that were to run concurrently with the materials recovery facility contract. In 1998, MDSI and the County agreed to extend the term of the materials recovery facility and the terms of the other County contracts until November 10, 2012, with MDSI holding a unilateral option to extend all of the contracts for an additional five-year term.

In March 2011, the County issued a Notice of Default to MDSI under the materials recovery facility contract and gave MDSI 30 days to cure the default. MDSI provided information that it believed demonstrated that it was not in default under the contract and had not withheld profits that it was obligated to deliver to the County under the terms of the contract.

On February 7, 2012, the County issued a Notice of Termination to MDSI terminating all of its contracts effective November 1, 2012. The lawsuit followed on March 5, 2012. MDSI has answered the complaint and has asserted a claim against the County for wrongful termination of the contracts. On October 31, 2012, MDSI ceased providing services and vacated the County premises.

At this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter. The Company disputes Madera County’s right to terminate the MDSI contracts effective November 1, 2012, and seeks damages for the profits lost as a result of the wrongful termination. The Company estimates that the current annual impact to its pre-tax earnings resulting from the termination of MDSI’s contracts with Madera County will be approximately $2,300 per year, not including any monetary damages and interest the Court could order MDSI to pay the County.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Issuance costs of common stock	$ 500

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 6,491	$ 6,548
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	7,500,000	7,500,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	123,418,612	123,019,494
Common stock, shares outstanding	123,418,612	123,019,494

XML

Segment Reporting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting

9. SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company’s revenues include the collection, transfer, recycling and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste and the treatment, recovery and disposal of non-hazardous E&P waste. No single contract or customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total revenues at the consolidated or reportable segment level during the periods presented.

Prior to October 2012, the Company managed its operations through three geographic operating segments which were also its reportable segments. In October 2012, as a result of the R360 acquisition, the Company realigned its reporting structure and created a fourth operating segment, the E&P group, which includes the majority of the Company’s E&P waste treatment and disposal operations. As a result, the Company’s three geographic operating segments and its E&P group comprise the Company’s reportable segments. Additionally, in January 2013, the Company transferred an E&P operation in Louisiana, owned by the Company prior to the R360 acquisition, from its Central region to its E&P group. Each operating segment is responsible for managing several vertically integrated operations, which are comprised of districts. The segment information presented herein reflects the addition of the new E&P group and the transfer of the Company’s E&P operation in Louisiana to the E&P group. Under the current structure, the Company’s Western Region is comprised of operating locations in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and western Wyoming; the Company’s Central Region is comprised of operating locations in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and eastern Wyoming; and the Company’s Eastern Region is comprised of operating locations in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The E&P group is comprised of the Company’s E&P operations in Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming and along the Gulf of Mexico.

The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) evaluates operating segment profitability and determines resource allocations based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is EBITDA. The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and other income (expense). EBITDA is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The Company’s management uses EBITDA in the evaluation of segment operating performance as it is a profit measure that is generally within the control of the operating segments. A reconciliation of EBITDA to Income before income tax provision is included at the end of this Note 9.

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, is shown in the following tables:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	Gross Revenues		Intercompany Revenues(b)			Net Revenues		EBITDA(c)
Western	$	216,345	$	(23,194	)	$	193,151	$	58,576
Central		127,963		(13,370	)		114,593		40,238
Eastern		105,430		(17,660	)		87,770		25,881
E&P		57,021		(2,643	)		54,378		22,587
Corporate(a)		—		—			—		(2,604	)
	$	506,759	$	(56,867	)	$	449,892	$	144,678

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012	Gross Revenues		Intercompany Revenues(b)			Net Revenues		EBITDA(c)
Western	$	204,681	$	(24,021	)	$	180,660	$	53,802
Central		116,913		(13,084	)		103,829		35,450
Eastern		107,158		(18,121	)		89,037		24,534
E&P		2,904		—			2,904		1,932
Corporate(a)		—		—			—		(7,143	)
	$	431,656	$	(55,226	)	$	376,430	$	108,575

(a) Corporate functions include accounting, legal, tax, treasury, information technology, risk management, human resources, training and other administrative functions. Amounts reflected are net of allocations to the four operating segments.

(b) 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.

(c) For those items included in the determination of EBITDA, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following tables show changes in goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, by reportable segment:

	Western		Central			Eastern		E&P		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	373,143	$	430,412		$	380,561	$	452,441	$	1,636,557
Goodwill transferred		—		(9,196	)		—		9,196		—
Goodwill acquired		—		1			24		757		782
Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	373,143	$	421,217		$	380,585	$	462,394	$	1,637,339
	Western		Central			Eastern		E&P		Total
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	313,038	$	424,223		$	379,627	$	—	$	1,116,888
Goodwill acquired		56,747		2,867			23		—		59,637
Goodwill divested		—		(496	)		—		—		(496	)
Balance as of March 31, 2012	$	369,785	$	426,594		$	379,650	$	—	$	1,176,029

The Company has no accumulated impairment losses associated with goodwill.

A reconciliation of the Company’s primary measure of segment profitability (EBITDA) to Income before income tax provision in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income is as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Western segment EBITDA	$	58,576		$	53,802
Central segment EBITDA		40,238			35,450
Eastern segment EBITDA		25,881			24,534
E&P segment EBITDA		22,587			1,932
Subtotal reportable segments		147,282			115,718
Unallocated corporate overhead		(2,604	)		(7,143	)
Depreciation		(51,649	)		(37,173	)
Amortization of intangibles		(6,438	)		(5,631	)
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets		322			(715	)
Interest expense		(19,012	)		(12,285	)
Other income, net		742			819
Income before income tax provision	$	68,643		$	53,590

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the Company’s total reported revenues by service line and with intercompany eliminations:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013			2012
Solid waste collection	$	293,144		$	277,088
Solid waste disposal and transfer		122,772			117,739
E&P waste treatment, disposal and recovery		59,931			4,256
Solid waste recycling		18,794			21,215
Intermodal and other		12,118			11,358
		506,759			431,656
Less: intercompany elimination		(56,867	)		(55,226	)
Total revenues	$	449,892		$	376,430

XML

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 15, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	WCN
Entity Registrant Name	WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001057058
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		123,418,612

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Derivative Financial Instruments

10. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. All of the Company’s derivatives have been designated as cash flow hedges; therefore, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of derivatives will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of derivatives will be immediately recognized in earnings. The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

One of the Company’s objectives for utilizing derivative instruments is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to changes in the variable interest rates of certain borrowings issued under its revolving credit facility. The Company’s strategy to achieve that objective involves entering into interest rate swaps that are specifically designated to the Company’s revolving credit facility and accounted for as cash flow hedges.

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative instruments included three interest rate swap agreements as follows:

Date Entered	Notional Amount		Fixed Interest Rate Paid*			Variable Interest Rate Received	Effective Date	Expiration Date
March 2009	$	175,000		2.85	%	1-month LIBOR	February 2011	February 2014
August 2011	$	150,000		0.80	%	1-month LIBOR	April 2012	January 2015
December 2011	$	175,000		1.60	%	1-month LIBOR	February 2014	February 2017

* plus applicable margin.

Another of the Company’s objectives for utilizing derivative instruments is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to changes in the price of diesel fuel. The Company’s strategy to achieve that objective involves periodically entering into fuel hedges that are specifically designated to certain forecasted diesel fuel purchases and accounted for as cash flow hedges.

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative instruments included one fuel hedge agreement as follows:

Date Entered	Notional Amount (in  gallons per month)		Diesel Rate Paid Fixed (per gallon)		Diesel Rate Received Variable			Effective Date		Expiration Date
June 2012		300,000	$	3.60		DOE Diesel Fuel Index	*		January 2014		December 2015

* If the national U.S. on-highway average price for a gallon of diesel fuel (“average price”), as published by the Department of Energy (“DOE”), exceeds the contract price per gallon, the Company receives the difference between the average price and the contract price (multiplied by the notional number of gallons) from the counterparty. If the average price is less than the contract price per gallon, the Company pays the difference to the counterparty.

The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2013, were as follows:

Derivatives Designated as Cash	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Interest rate swaps				Accrued liabilities(a)	$	(5,048	)
				Other long-term liabilities		(4,775	)
Fuel hedge	Prepaid expenses and other current assets(b)	$	282
	Other assets, net		1,496
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		$	1,778		$	(9,823	)

(a) Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized losses on interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2013 (based on the interest rate yield curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in interest rates.

(b) Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized gains on the fuel hedge as of March 31, 2013 (based on the forward DOE diesel fuel index curve at that date), included in AOCL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in diesel fuel prices.

The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2012, were as follows:

Derivatives Designated as Cash	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Interest rate swaps				Accrued liabilities	$	(5,374	)
				Other long-term liabilities		(5,789	)
Fuel hedge	Other assets, net	$	1,187
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		$	1,187		$	(11,163	)

The following table summarizes the impact of the Company’s cash flow hedges on the results of operations, comprehensive income and AOCL for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized as AOCL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (Effective Portion)(a)							Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings,  Net of Tax (Effective Portion) (b),(c)
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	Three Months Ended March 31,						Statement of Income Classification	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012				2013		2012
Interest rate swaps	$	(18	)	$	(623	)	Interest expense	$	852	$	708
Fuel hedge		364			913		Cost of operations		—		(700	)
Total	$	346		$	(290	)		$	852	$	8

(a) In accordance with the derivatives and hedging guidance, the effective portions of the changes in fair values of interest rate swaps and the fuel hedge have been recorded in equity as a component of AOCL. As the critical terms of the interest rate swaps match the underlying debt being hedged, no ineffectiveness is recognized on these swaps and, therefore, all unrealized changes in fair value are recorded in AOCL. Because changes in the actual price of diesel fuel and changes in the DOE index price do not offset exactly each reporting period, the Company assesses whether the fuel hedge is highly effective using the cumulative dollar offset approach.

(b) Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps are recognized when interest payments or receipts occur related to the swap contracts, which correspond to when interest payments are made on the Company’s hedged debt.

(c) Amounts reclassified from AOCL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on the fuel hedge are recognized when settlement payments or receipts occur related to the hedge contract, which correspond to when the underlying fuel is consumed.

The Company measures and records ineffectiveness on the fuel hedge in Cost of operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income on a monthly basis based on the difference between the DOE index price and the actual price of diesel fuel purchased, multiplied by the notional number of gallons on the contract. There was no significant ineffectiveness recognized on the fuel hedge during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

See Note 13 for further discussion on the impact of the Company’s hedge accounting to its consolidated Comprehensive income and AOCL.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues	$ 449,892	$ 376,430
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations	251,963	216,681
Selling, general and administrative	53,251	51,174
Depreciation	51,649	37,173
Amortization of intangibles	6,438	5,631
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	(322)	715
Operating income	86,913	65,056
Interest expense	(19,012)	(12,285)
Other income, net	742	819
Income before income tax provision	68,643	53,590
Income tax provision	(26,963)	(22,151)
Net income	41,680	31,439
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(124)	(136)
Net income attributable to Waste Connections	$ 41,556	$ 31,303
Earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections' common stockholders:
Basic	$ 0.34	$ 0.27
Diluted	$ 0.34	$ 0.27
Shares used in the per share calculations:
Basic	123,380,799	115,188,134
Diluted	123,904,929	115,876,461
Cash dividends per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.09

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

4. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted assets, trade payables, debt instruments, contingent consideration obligations, interest rate swaps and a fuel hedge. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying values of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted assets, trade payables and contingent consideration are considered to be representative of their respective fair values. The carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments, excluding certain notes as listed in the table below, approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, based on current borrowing rates, current remaining average life to maturity and borrower credit quality for similar types of borrowing arrangements, and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt instruments where the carrying values do not approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, are as follows:

	Carrying Value at				Fair Value* at
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
6.22% Senior Notes due 2015	$	175,000	$	175,000	$	192,645	$	193,949
3.30% Senior Notes due 2016	$	100,000	$	100,000	$	103,132	$	103,068
4.00% Senior Notes due 2018	$	50,000	$	50,000	$	52,601	$	52,476
5.25% Senior Notes due 2019	$	175,000	$	175,000	$	195,630	$	195,584
4.64% Senior Notes due 2021	$	100,000	$	100,000	$	107,494	$	107,418

* Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is based on quotes of bonds with similar ratings in similar industries.

For details on the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps, fuel hedge and restricted assets, refer to Note 12.

XML

Reclassification

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Reclassification

3. RECLASSIFICATION

Certain amounts reported in the Company’s prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2013 presentation.

XML

Corporate Office Relocation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Corporate Office Relocation

15. CORPORATE OFFICE RELOCATION

In December 2011, the Company commenced a relocation of its corporate headquarters from Folsom, California to The Woodlands, Texas. The relocation will be completed in 2013 and the Company expects to incur an estimated $500 to $1,500 of costs related to personnel and office relocation expenses during 2013. These costs are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. In addition, the Company may incur a loss on lease in the second or third quarter of 2013, the timing of which is dependent on the cessation of use of its former corporate headquarters in Folsom, California. The Company estimates the loss on lease could range between $8,000 and $10,000.

XML

Net Income Per Share Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Net Income Per Share Information

11. NET INCOME PER SHARE INFORMATION

The following table sets forth the calculation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to the Company’s common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share	$	41,556	$	31,303
Denominator:
Basic shares outstanding		123,380,799		115,188,134
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants		202,115		339,747
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units		322,015		348,580
Diluted shares outstanding		123,904,929		115,876,461

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, all outstanding stock options and warrants were dilutive and included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, stock options and warrants to purchase 8,641 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive.

XML

Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Acquisitions

7. ACQUISITIONS

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company did not acquire any businesses.

Cash consideration for the 2012 acquisition of the business of R360 Environmental Solutions, Inc. (“R360”) included payment for the estimated net working capital of $18,906, as defined in the acquisition agreement, which was subject to final adjustment subsequent to the close of the acquisition. In March 2013, Waste Connections received $18,000 from the former owners of R360 due to the final adjustment to the net working capital that was estimated at the closing date.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred $473 and $1,777, respectively, of acquisition-related costs. These expenses are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.

XML

Amounts Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ (6,165)
Amounts reclassified into earnings	852	8
Changes in fair value	346	290
Ending Balance	(4,967)
Fuel Hedge
Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	732
Amounts reclassified into earnings		(700)
Changes in fair value	364	913
Ending Balance	1,096
Interest Rate Swap
Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(6,897)
Amounts reclassified into earnings	852	708
Changes in fair value	(18)	(623)
Ending Balance	$ (6,063)

XML

Landfill Accounting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Landfill Accounting

5. LANDFILL ACCOUNTING

At March 31, 2013, the Company owned or operated 42 municipal solid waste (“MSW”) landfills, five exploration and production (“E&P”) waste landfills, which only accept E&P waste, and seven non-MSW landfills, which only accept construction and demolition, industrial and other non-putrescible waste. At March 31, 2013, the Company owned 43 landfills, and operated, but did not own, six landfills under life-of-site operating agreements and five landfills under limited-term operating agreements. The Company’s landfills had site costs with a net book value of $1,645,251 at March 31, 2013. For the Company’s landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements and life-of-site operating agreements, the owner of the property (generally a municipality) usually owns the permit and the Company operates the landfill for a contracted term. Where the contracted term is not the life of the landfill, the property owner is generally responsible for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations. The Company is responsible for all final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities at five of the six landfills that it operates under life-of-site operating agreements.

The Company’s internal and third-party engineers perform surveys at least annually to estimate the remaining disposal capacity at its landfills. Many of the Company’s existing landfills have the potential for expanded disposal capacity beyond the amount currently permitted. The Company’s landfill depletion rates are based on the remaining disposal capacity, considering both permitted and probable expansion airspace, at the landfills it owns, and certain landfills it operates, but does not own, under life-of-site agreements. The Company’s landfill depletion rate is based on the term of the operating agreement at its operated landfill that has capitalized expenditures. Expansion airspace consists of additional disposal capacity being pursued through means of an expansion that has not yet been permitted. Expansion airspace that meets certain criteria is included in the estimate of total landfill airspace.

Based on remaining permitted capacity as of March 31, 2013, and projected annual disposal volumes, the average remaining landfill life for the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is estimated to be approximately 37 years. As of March 31, 2013, the Company is seeking to expand permitted capacity at eight of its owned landfills and two landfills that it operates under life-of-site operating agreements, and considers the achievement of these expansions to be probable. Although the Company cannot be certain that all future expansions will be permitted as designed, the average remaining life, when considering remaining permitted capacity, probable expansion capacity and projected annual disposal volume, of the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is approximately 46 years, with lives ranging from approximately 6 to 240 years.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company expensed $18,399 and $9,540, respectively, or an average of $4.22 and $2.91 per ton consumed, respectively, related to landfill depletion at owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements.

The Company reserves for final capping, closure and post-closure maintenance obligations at the landfills it owns and five of the six landfills it operates under life-of-site operating agreements. The Company calculates the net present value of its final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities by estimating the total obligation in current dollars, inflating the obligation based upon the expected date of the expenditure and discounting the inflated total to its present value using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Any changes in expectations that result in an upward revision to the estimated undiscounted cash flows are treated as a new liability and are inflated and discounted at rates reflecting current market conditions. Any changes in expectations that result in a downward revision (or no revision) to the estimated undiscounted cash flows result in a liability that is inflated and discounted at rates reflecting the market conditions at the time the cash flows were originally estimated. This policy results in the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities being recorded in “layers.” The Company’s discount rate assumption for purposes of computing 2013 and 2012 “layers” for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations was 5.75% for each year, which reflects the Company’s long-term cost of borrowing as of the end of 2012 and 2011. The Company’s inflation rate assumption is 2.5% for the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012. The resulting final capping, closure and post-closure obligations are recorded on the balance sheet along with an offsetting addition to site costs which is amortized to depletion expense as the remaining landfill airspace is consumed. Interest is accreted on the recorded liability using the corresponding discount rate. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company expensed $707 and $612, respectively, or an average of $0.16 and $0.19 per ton consumed, respectively, related to final capping, closure and post-closure accretion expense.

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liability balance from December 31, 2012 to March 31, 2013:

Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at December 31, 2012	$	46,473
Adjustments to final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities		(3,081	)
Liabilities incurred		852
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations		707
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at March 31, 2013	$	44,951

The Adjustments to final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities primarily consisted of increases in estimated airspace at three of the Company’s landfills at which expansions are being pursued or have been granted and a decrease in estimated closure costs at one of the Company’s landfills, partially offset by revisions in engineering estimates and an increase in estimates of annual tonnage consumption at two of the Company’s landfills. The Company performs its annual review of its cost and capacity estimates in the first quarter of each year.

At March 31, 2013, $32,564 of the Company’s restricted assets balance was for purposes of securing its performance of future final capping, closure and post-closure obligations.

XML

Long-Term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Long-Term Debt

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	March 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
Revolver under credit facility, bearing interest ranging from 1.47% to 4.25%*	$	690,000		$	787,000
Term loan facility, bearing interest ranging from 2.20% to 2.70%*		790,000			800,000
2015 Notes, bearing interest at 6.22%		175,000			175,000
2016 Notes, bearing interest at 3.30%		100,000			100,000
2018 Notes, bearing interest at 4.00%		50,000			50,000
2019 Notes, bearing interest at 5.25%		175,000			175,000
2021 Notes, bearing interest at 4.64%		100,000			100,000
Tax-exempt bonds, bearing interest ranging from 0.12% to 0.24%*		35,655			35,655
Notes payable to sellers and other third parties, bearing interest at 2.5% to 10.9%*		15,698			16,280
		2,131,353			2,238,935
Less – current portion		(35,182	)		(33,968	)
	$	2,096,171		$	2,204,967

* Interest rates in the table above represent the range of interest rates incurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2013.

XML

Intangible Assets, Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Intangible Assets, Net

8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at March 31, 2013:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts	$	198,768	$	(40,400	)	$	158,368
Customer lists		139,354		(47,630	)		91,724
Non-competition agreements		9,374		(6,917	)		2,457
Other		32,098		(2,828	)		29,270
		379,594		(97,775	)		281,819
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Solid waste collection and transportation permits		151,505		—			151,505
Material recycling facility permits		42,283		—			42,283
E&P facility permits		59,855		—			59,855
		253,643		—			253,643
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill	$	633,237	$	(97,775	)	$	535,462

Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at December 31, 2012:

	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts	$	198,779	$	(38,447	)	$	160,332
Customer lists		139,354		(43,457	)		95,897
Non-competition agreements		9,374		(6,815	)		2,559
Other		32,098		(2,621	)		29,477
		379,605		(91,340	)		288,265
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Solid waste collection and transportation permits		151,505		—			151,505
Material recycling facility permits		42,283		—			42,283
E&P facility permits		59,855		—			59,855
		253,643		—			253,643
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill	$	633,248	$	(91,340	)	$	541,908

Estimated future amortization expense for the next five years of finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:

For the year ending December 31, 2013	$	25,061
For the year ending December 31, 2014	$	24,372
For the year ending December 31, 2015	$	23,758
For the year ending December 31, 2016	$	19,803
For the year ending December 31, 2017	$	17,831

XML

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	May 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2009 acre	Mar. 31, 2013 Entity T
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
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
Pre-tax impairment charge related to Kansas landfill			18,700
Estimated annual impact on pre-tax earnings if company unable to operate the landfill			6,700
Maximum limit of import of solid waste			95,000
PHLF annual disposal of solid waste			935,000
Solid waste originated from sources outside of Solano County			787,000
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			6,000
Pre-tax impairment charge related to PHLF			39,000
Expected pre-tax impairment charge related to PHLF if Measure E is ultimately ruled to be unenforceable			33,000
Initial Payment			23,000
Amount of monetary damages County is seeking			2,962
Pre-judgment interest			10.00%
Period to cure the default			30 days
Current annual impact to pre-tax earnings resulting from termination of MDSI's contracts with Madera County			$ 2,300

XML

Corporate Office Relocation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated loss on lease range, minimum	$ 8,000
Estimated loss on lease range, maximum	10,000
Minimum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected amount of personnel and office relocation expenses	500
Maximum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected amount of personnel and office relocation expenses	$ 1,500

XML

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, are as follows:

	Three months ended March 31, 2013
	Gross			Tax effect			Net of tax
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense	$	1,379		$	(527	)	$	852
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps		(39	)		21			(18	)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedge		591			(227	)		364
	$	1,931		$	(733	)	$	1,198
	Three months ended March 31, 2012
	Gross			Tax effect			Net of tax
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense	$	1,142		$	(434	)	$	708
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations		(1,129	)		429			(700	)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps		(1,005	)		382			(623	)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedge		1,473			(560	)		913
	$	481		$	(183	)	$	298

Amounts Included In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCL, net of taxes, is as follows:

	Fuel Hedge		Interest Rate Swaps			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	732	$	(6,897	)	$	(6,165	)
Amounts reclassified into earnings		—		852			852
Changes in fair value		364		(18	)		346
Balance at March 31, 2013	$	1,096	$	(6,063	)	$	(4,967	)

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments - Company's Derivative Instruments of Fuel Hedge Agreements (Detail) (Fuel Hedge Agreements)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 gal
Fuel Hedge Agreements
Derivative [Line Items]
Date Entered	2012-06
Notional Amount (in gallons per month)	300,000
Diesel Rate Paid Fixed (per gallon)	3.60
Diesel Rate Received Variable	DOE Diesel Fuel Index	[1]
Effective Date	2014-01
Expiration Date	2015-12

[1] If the national U.S. on-highway average price for a gallon of diesel fuel ("average price"), as published by the Department of Energy ("DOE"), exceeds the contract price per gallon, the Company receives the difference between the average price and the contract price (multiplied by the notional number of gallons) from the counterparty. If the average price is less than the contract price per gallon, the Company pays the difference to the counterparty.

XML

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

13. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and the fuel hedge that qualify for hedge accounting. The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects for the three month periods ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, are as follows:

	Three months ended March 31, 2013
	Gross			Tax effect			Net of tax
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense	$	1,379		$	(527	)	$	852
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps		(39	)		21			(18	)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedge		591			(227	)		364
	$	1,931		$	(733	)	$	1,198
	Three months ended March 31, 2012
	Gross			Tax effect			Net of tax
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense	$	1,142		$	(434	)	$	708
Fuel hedge amounts reclassified into cost of operations		(1,129	)		429			(700	)
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps		(1,005	)		382			(623	)
Changes in fair value of fuel hedge		1,473			(560	)		913
	$	481		$	(183	)	$	298

A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCL, net of taxes, is as follows:

	Fuel Hedge		Interest Rate Swaps			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	732	$	(6,897	)	$	(6,165	)
Amounts reclassified into earnings		—		852			852
Changes in fair value		364		(18	)		346
Balance at March 31, 2013	$	1,096	$	(6,063	)	$	(4,967	)

See Note 10 for further discussion on the Company’s derivative instruments.

XML

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Carrying Values and Fair Values of Company's Debt Instruments

The carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt instruments where the carrying values do not approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, are as follows:

	Carrying Value at				Fair Value* at
	March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		March 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
6.22% Senior Notes due 2015	$	175,000	$	175,000	$	192,645	$	193,949
3.30% Senior Notes due 2016	$	100,000	$	100,000	$	103,132	$	103,068
4.00% Senior Notes due 2018	$	50,000	$	50,000	$	52,601	$	52,476
5.25% Senior Notes due 2019	$	175,000	$	175,000	$	195,630	$	195,584
4.64% Senior Notes due 2021	$	100,000	$	100,000	$	107,494	$	107,418

* Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is based on quotes of bonds with similar ratings in similar industries.

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2013 Agreement
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements	3
Number of fuel hedge agreements	1

XML

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 R360 Environmental Solutions Inc	Dec. 31, 2012 R360 Environmental Solutions Inc Working Capital
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired		$ 138,908		$ 18,906
Adjustment to net working capital			18,000
Acquisition related costs	$ 473	$ 1,777

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net income	$ 41,680	$ 31,439
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Other comprehensive income before tax	1,931	481
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(733)	(183)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,198	298
Comprehensive income	42,878	31,737
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(124)	(136)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Connections	42,754	31,601
Interest Rate Swap
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts reclassified, gross	1,379	1,142
Changes in fair value, gross	(39)	(1,005)
Fuel Hedge
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts reclassified, gross		(1,129)
Changes in fair value, gross	$ 591	$ 1,473

XML

New Accounting Standards

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

New Accounting Standards

2. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component. In addition, it requires entities to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The amounts required to be disclosed under this guidance are disclosed in Notes 10 and 13.

XML

Change in Fair Value for Level 3 Derivatives (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 1,187	$ 3,506
Realized gains included in earnings		(1,129)
Unrealized gains included in AOCL	591	1,473
Ending balance	$ 1,778	$ 3,850

XML

Landfill Accounting (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Reconciliation of Company's Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Liability

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liability balance from December 31, 2012 to March 31, 2013:

Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at December 31, 2012	$	46,473
Adjustments to final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities		(3,081	)
Liabilities incurred		852
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations		707
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at March 31, 2013	$	44,951

XML

Reconciliation of Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Liability Balance (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Changes in Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at December 31, 2012	$ 46,473
Adjustments to final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities	(3,081)
Liabilities incurred	852
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations	707	612
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at March 31, 2013	$ 44,951

XML

Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Fair Value Measurements

12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include derivative instruments and restricted assets. The Company’s derivative instruments are pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps and a pay-fixed, receive-variable diesel fuel hedge. The Company’s interest rate swaps are recorded at their estimated fair values based on quotes received from financial institutions that trade these contracts. The Company verifies the reasonableness of these quotes using similar quotes from another financial institution as of each date for which financial statements are prepared. The Company uses a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model to determine the estimated fair value of the diesel fuel hedge. The assumptions used in preparing the DCF model include: (i) estimates for the forward DOE index curve; and (ii) the discount rate based on risk-free interest rates over the term of the hedge contract. The DOE index curve used in the DCF model was obtained from financial institutions that trade these contracts and ranged from $3.75 to $3.93 at March 31, 2013. The weighted average DOE index curve used in the DCF model was $3.85 at March 31, 2013. Significant increases (decreases) in the forward DOE index curve would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. For the Company’s interest rate swaps and fuel hedge, the Company also considers the Company’s creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net liability position and the banks’ creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net asset position. The Company’s restricted assets are valued at quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, which the Company receives from the financial institutions that hold such investments on its behalf. The Company’s restricted assets measured at fair value are invested primarily in U.S. government and agency securities.

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were as follows:

	Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2013 Using
	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position	$	(9,823	)	$	—	$	(9,823	)	$	—
Fuel hedge derivative instrument – net asset position	$	1,778		$	—	$	—		$	1,778
Restricted assets	$	33,739		$	33,739	$	—		$	—

	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012 Using
	Total			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position	$	(11,163	)	$	—	$	(11,163	)	$	—
Fuel hedge derivative instrument – net asset position	$	1,187		$	—	$	—		$	1,187
Restricted assets	$	33,425		$	33,425	$	—		$	—

The following table summarizes the change in the fair value for Level 3 derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2013:

	Level 3 Derivatives
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	1,187
Unrealized gains included in AOCL		591
Balance as of March 31, 2013	$	1,778

The following table summarizes the change in the fair value for Level 3 derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2012:

	Level 3 Derivatives
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	3,506
Realized gains included in earnings		(1,129	)
Unrealized gains included in AOCL		1,473
Balance as of March 31, 2012	$	3,850