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