XML 49 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.0.814
Document and Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Oct. 15, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2015  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Trading Symbol CWST  
Entity Registrant Name CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000911177  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Class A Common Stock [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   39,978,784
Class B Common Stock [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   988,200