v2.4.0.6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 Y Landfills | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Concentration Risk [Line Items] |  |  |
Additional characteristics |  | No customer exceeded 5% of our outstanding accounts receivable balance |
Outstanding risk percentage |  | 5.00% |
Description of concentration risk |  | Outstanding accounts receivable balance |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |
Net book credit balances in our primary disbursement accounts | $ 85.6 | $ 94.8 |
Restricted cash and restricted marketable securities | 189.6 |  |
Condition for capitalized interest on landfill cell construction and other construction projects | Total construction costs are $50,000 or greater, The construction phase is one month or longer, and The assets have a useful life of one year or longer |  |
Post-closure running period | Up to 30 years after final site closure for municipal solid waste landfills and a shorter period for construction and demolition landfills and inert landfills |  |
Capitalized interest | $ 8.1 | $ 6.3 | $ 7.8
Number of closed landfills | 130 |  |
Inflation rate | 2.5% inflation rate |  |
Risk-free rate used for liability recognition | 6.00% | 5.50% |
Discount rate for acquisition | 9.75% |  | 9.75%
Future estimates of revenue and expense growth rate, Minimum range | 2.00% |  |
Future estimates of revenue and expense growth rate, Maximum range | 4.00% |  |
Future estimated effective tax rates | 40.00% |  |
Estimated discount rates, Minimum range | 7.00% |  |
Estimated discount rates, Maximum range | 8.00% |  |
Fair value of our reporting units exceeded the carrying value of our reporting units, Minimum Range | 30.00% |  |
Fair value of our reporting units exceeded the carrying value of our reporting units, Maximum Range | 60.00% |  |
Amortization period for other intangible assets (minimum) | 1 |  |
Amortization period for other intangible assets (maximum) | 24 |  |
Percentage of current plan participants benefits frozen upon Allied's acquisition of BFI | 97.00% |  |
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] |  |  |
Concentration Risk [Line Items] |  |  |
Additional characteristics | No customer exceeded 5% of our outstanding accounts receivable balance |  |
Outstanding risk percentage | 5.00% |  |
Description of concentration risk | Outstanding accounts receivable balance |  |
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] |  |  |
Concentration Risk [Line Items] |  |  |
Additional characteristics | No one customer has individually accounted for more than 3% of our consolidated revenue or of our reportable segment revenue in any of the past three years |  |
Outstanding risk percentage | 3.00% |  |
Description of concentration risk | Consolidated revenue or reportable segment revenue |  |

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