Summary of Activity Related to Restricted Stock Units (Detail)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Unvested Shares
Outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	1,317,798
Granted	572,017
Forfeited	(29,597)
Vested and Issued	(476,603)
Vested and Unissued	(61,518)
Outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	1,322,097

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested and issued during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	wcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested but were unissued during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	wcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
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