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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