OPERATIONS (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011 service_locations
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	1
Active Hazardous Waste Management Properties [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	52
Incineration Facilities [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	6
Commercial Landfills [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	9
Wastewater Treatment Facilities [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	7
Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	21
Solvent Recycling Facilities [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	2
Polychlorinated Biphenyls management and oil storage and recycling [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	8
Service Centers, Satellite and Support Locations, Corporate and regional offices [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	167
UNITED STATES
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
States in which Entity Operates	37
CANADA
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Provinces In Which Entity Operates	7
Minimum [Member]
Service Locations By Type [Line Items]
Service Locations	200