Total Reported Revenues by Service Line (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 503,646		$ 425,654		$ 1,442,918		$ 1,212,815
Operating Segments
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	569,350		484,599		1,632,229		1,386,995
Operating Segments | Solid Waste Collection
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	312,872		304,166		912,488		880,920
Operating Segments | Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	158,142		142,293		434,513		390,576
Operating Segments | E&P Waste Treatment, Disposal and Recovery
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	68,605		5,824		194,720		15,458
Operating Segments | Solid Waste Recycling
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	18,402		18,712		55,806		61,809
Operating Segments | Intermodal and Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	11,329		13,604		34,702		38,232
Intersegment Eliminations
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (65,704)	[1]	$ (58,945)	[1]	$ (189,311)	[1]	$ (174,180)	[1]

[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.