Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 19,281	$ 23,212
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,458 and $6,548 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	238,842	235,762
Deferred income taxes	37,952	45,798
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,405	57,714
Total current assets	329,480	362,486
Property and equipment, net	2,424,716	2,457,606
Goodwill	1,637,541	1,636,557
Intangible assets, net	521,204	541,908
Restricted assets	35,265	34,889
Other assets, net	46,441	42,580
Total Assets	4,994,647	5,076,026
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	115,404	130,260
Book overdraft	12,192	12,567
Accrued liabilities	134,951	121,829
Deferred revenue	68,644	69,930
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable	7,456	33,968
Total current liabilities	369,369	417,572
Long-term debt and notes payable	2,025,664	2,204,967
Other long-term liabilities	83,784	75,129
Deferred income taxes	483,433	464,882
Total liabilities	2,987,294	3,192,896
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
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; 123,546,188 and 123,019,494 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,235	1,230
Additional paid-in capital	791,519	779,904
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,947)	(6,165)
Retained earnings	1,212,412	1,103,188
Total Waste Connections' equity	2,002,219	1,878,157
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	5,134	4,973
Total equity	2,007,353	1,883,130
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	4,994,647	5,076,026
Other Current Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Contingent consideration	30,722	49,018
Other Long-term Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$ 25,044	$ 30,346