XML 65 R44.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.2

Landfill Accounting (Narrative) (Details) | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($) site $ / T | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / T | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Landfill Accounting [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of landfills owned and operated by company | site | 85 |  |
Number of landfills operated, not owned, under life-of-site operating agreements | site | 7 |  |
Number of landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements | site | 4 |  |
Property and equipment, net | $ 5,318,196,000 |  | $ 5,168,996,000
Average remaining landfill life based on permitted capacity and projected annual disposal volumes | 27 years |  |
Number of owned landfills the company is seeking to expand | site | 7 |  |
Number of landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements that the company is seeking to expand | site | 3 |  |
Average remaining landfill life based on permitted capacity, projected annual disposal volumes and probable expansion capacity | 30 years |  |
Life of Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements min range | 1 year |  |
Life of Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life of site operating agreements max range | 177 years |  |
Landfill depletion expense | $ 107,364,000 | $ 97,156,000 |
Average rate per ton consumed related to landfill depletion at owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements | $ / T | 4.77 | 4.56 |
Inflation rate for purposes of computing layers for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations | 2.50% |  | 2.50%
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations | $ 7,063,000 | $ 6,386,000 |
Average rate per ton consumed related to final capping, closure and post-closure landfill accretion expense | $ / T | 0.31 | 0.30 |
Restricted cash | $ 84,527,000 |  | $ 84,661,000
Liabilities incurred | 11,263,000 |  |
Landfill [Member] |  |  |
Landfill Accounting [Line Items] |  |  |
Property and equipment, net | 2,949,959,000 |  |
Restricted cash | 6,795,000 |  | 12,325,000
Restricted investments | $ 51,902,000 |  | $ 44,939,000
Landfill [Member] | Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] |  |  |
Landfill Accounting [Line Items] |  |  |
Asset retirement obligation, measurement input | 4.75 |  | 4.75

X
- 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392676&loc=d3e7480-110848 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of asset retirement obligations incurred during the period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationLiabilitiesIncurred
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The noncash expense charged against earnings to recognize the consumption of natural resources. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Depletion
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(14)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(8)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(13)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of cash and cash equivalents restricted as to withdrawal or usage, classified as noncurrent. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118951113&loc=d3e6812-107765 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(17)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=SL98516268-108586 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3044-108585 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 954 -SubTopic 210 -Section 45 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116631420&loc=SL116631458-115580 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Investments which are not defined as or included in marketable (debt, equity, or other) securities whose use is restricted in whole or in part, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements. For use in an unclassified balance sheet. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestrictedInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Asset retirement obligation, measurement input. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_AssetRetirementObligationMeasurementInput
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Average rate per ton consumed related to final capping, closure and post-closure landfills accretion expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_AverageRatePerTonConsumedRelatedToFinalCappingClosureAndPostClosureLandfillsAccretionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | srt-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Average rate per ton consumed related to landfill depletion at owned landfill and landfill operated under life of site agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_AverageRatePerTonConsumedRelatedToLandfillDepletionAtOwnedLandfillsAndLandfillOperatedUnderLifeOfSiteAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | srt-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Average remaining landfill life, based on remaining permitted capacity and projected annual disposal volumes, for the company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_AverageRemainingLandfillLifeBasedOnPermittedCapacityAndProjectedAnnualDisposalVolumes
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Average remaining landfill life, based on permitted capacity, projected annual disposal volumes and probable expansion capacity, for the Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_AverageRemainingLandfillLifeBasedOnPermittedCapacityProjectedAnnualDisposalVolumesAndProbableExpansionCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The inflation rate applied to the total final capping, closure and post-closure obligation in current dollars based upon the expected date of the expenditure. This inflated total is then discounted to its present value using a credit-adjusted risk free rate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_InflationRateForPurposesOfComputingLayersForFinalCappingClosureAndPostClosureObligations
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Landfill Accounting [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_LandfillAccountingLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Maximum range of the life of Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life of site operating agreements, when considering remaining permitted capacity, probable expansion capacity and projected annual disposal volume. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_LifeOfCompanysOwnedLandfillsAndLandfillsOperatedUnderLifeOfSiteOperatingAgreementsMaxRange
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Minimum range of the life of Company's owned landfills and landfills operated under life of site operating agreements, when considering remaining permitted capacity, probable expansion capacity and projected annual disposal volume. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_LifeOfCompanysOwnedLandfillsAndLandfillsOperatedUnderLifeOfSiteOperatingAgreementsMinRange
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number Of Landfills Operated Not Owned Under Life Of Site Operating Agreements + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_NumberOfLandfillsOperatedNotOwnedUnderLifeOfSiteOperatingAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements in which the company is seeking to expand permitted disposal capacity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_NumberOfLandfillsOperatedUnderLifeOfSiteOperatingAgreementsThatCompanyIsSeekingToExpand
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_NumberOfLandfillsOperatedUnderLimitedTermOperatingAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of landfills owned and operated by company + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_NumberOfLandfillsOwnedAndOperatedByCompany
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of owned landfills in which the company is seeking to expand permitted disposal capacity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wcn_NumberOfOwnedLandfillsCompanyIsSeekingToExpand
Namespace Prefix: | wcn_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_LandfillMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis=us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |