SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Interest capitalized to fixed assets	$ 0.4	$ 0.3
Depreciation and amortization expense, property, plant and equipment	$ 70.4	$ 53.9
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years)	30
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	40
Land, leasehold and building improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years)	5
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	40
Weighted average life (in years)	8.3
Camp Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years)	12
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	15
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years)	3
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	12
Capitalized software and computer equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	3
Solar equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	20
Containers and railcars
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years)	15
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	20
All other equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years)	3
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	10
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment (excluding landfill assets):
Estimated useful life, minimum (in years)	5
Estimated useful life, maximum (in years)	8