CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Changes to post-closure liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 54,248
Adjustments during the measurement period related to acquisitions	(10,201)
New asset retirement obligations	860
Accretion	1,155
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	42
Other changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	369
Expenditures	(1,004)
Currency translation and other	(116)
Balance at the end of the period	45,353
Credit-adjusted risk-free rate (as a percent)	6.60%
Landfill Retirement Liability
Changes to post-closure liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	26,658
Adjustments during the measurement period related to acquisitions	0
New asset retirement obligations	860
Accretion	739
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(16)
Other changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	369
Expenditures	(934)
Currency translation and other	(93)
Balance at the end of the period	27,583
Non-Landfill Retirement Liability
Changes to post-closure liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	27,590
Adjustments during the measurement period related to acquisitions	(10,201)
New asset retirement obligations
Accretion	416
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	58
Other changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	0
Expenditures	(70)
Currency translation and other	(23)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 17,770

Asset Retirement Obligation, Adjustments Related to Acquisitions

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- Definition

The amount of change in the asset retirement obligation, during the current period, for changes in estimates recorded in the statement of income.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The total amount of the increase or decrease in the amount of asset retirement obligations for the period that is associated with foreign currency translation (to the extent that the entity accounts for the foreign currency effects as a separate component of the change in the liability) and other asset retirement obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

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Represents the amount of change in the asset retirement obligation, during the current period for other changes in estimates recorded in the balance sheet.

+ References

No definition available.

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The rate applied to the undiscounted amount of new asset retirement obligations that are expected to arrive at the present value and that are recorded as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 143

-Paragraph 3, 10, 22

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Asset Retirement Obligation

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- Definition

Amount of accretion expense recognized during the period that is associated with an asset retirement obligation. Accretion expense measures and incorporates changes due to the passage of time into the carrying amount of the liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 143

-Paragraph 13, 14

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Amount of asset retirement obligations incurred during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

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- Definition

Amount of asset retirement obligations settled, or otherwise disposed of, during the period. This may include asset retirement obligations transferred to third parties associated with the sale of a long-lived asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 20

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