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