FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

We use a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of market prices and observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. In measuring the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, we rely on market data or assumptions that we believe market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability.

Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable-trade, restricted cash and investments held in trust on deposit with various banks as collateral for our obligations relative to our landfill final capping, closure and post-closure costs, interest rate derivatives, trade payables and long-term debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable - trade and trade payables approximate their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of restricted cash and investments held in trust, which are valued using quoted market prices, are included as restricted assets in the Level 1 tier below. The fair value of the interest rate derivatives included in the Level 2 tier below was calculated using discounted cash flow valuation methodologies based upon the one month LIBOR yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swaps.

Summaries of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis follow:



	Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2017 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	388	$	—
Restricted investments - landfill closure	1,039		—		—
Total	$	1,039	$	388	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	454	$	—



	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2016 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Restricted investments - landfill closure	$	1,002	$	—	$	—

Fair Value of Debt

As of March 31, 2017, the fair value of our fixed rate debt, including our FAME Bonds 2005R-3, Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015 (“FAME Bonds 2015”), Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2013 (“Vermont Bonds”), New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014 (“New York Bonds 2014”), New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2 (“New York Bonds 2016”) and Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013 issued by the Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire (“New Hampshire Bonds”) was approximately $104,308 and the carrying value was $107,000. The fair value of the FAME Bonds 2005R-3, the FAME Bonds 2015, the Vermont Bonds, the New York Bonds 2014, the New York Bonds 2016 and the New Hampshire Bonds is considered to be Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value is determined using market approach pricing provided by a third-party that utilizes pricing models and pricing systems, mathematical tools and judgment to determine the evaluated price for the security based on the market information of each of the bonds or securities with similar characteristics.

As of March 31, 2017, the fair value of our Term Loan B Facility was approximately $351,743 and the carrying value was $349,125. The fair value of the Term Loan B Facility is considered to be Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as its fair value is based off of quoted market prices in a principal to principal market with limited public information. As of March 31, 2017, the fair value of our Revolving Credit Facility approximated its carrying value of $63,000 based on current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, or Level 2 inputs.

Although we have determined the estimated fair value amounts of the Term Loan B Facility, FAME Bonds 2005R-3, FAME Bonds 2015, Vermont Bonds, New York Bonds 2014, New York Bonds 2016 and New Hampshire Bonds using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, a change in available market information, and/or the use of different assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair values. These amounts have not been revalued, and current estimates of fair value could differ significantly from the amounts presented.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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