CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Changes to post-closure liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 34,881
New asset retirement obligations	1,330
Accretion	1,942
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	298
Other changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	(2,049)
Expenditures	(862)
Currency translation and other	7
Balance at the end of the period	35,547
Credit-adjusted risk-free rate (as a percent)	8.56%
Inflation rate (as a percent)	1.02%
Landfill Retirement Liability
Changes to post-closure liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	25,764
New asset retirement obligations	1,330
Accretion	1,414
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	0
Other changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	(2,064)
Expenditures	(653)
Currency translation and other	(9)
Balance at the end of the period	25,782
Non-Landfill Retirement Liability
Changes to post-closure liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	9,117
New asset retirement obligations
Accretion	528
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	298
Other changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	15
Expenditures	(209)
Currency translation and other	16
Balance at the end of the period	$ 9,765