Fair Value of Financial Instruments

8 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

13.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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 which we believe market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability.

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, 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 and restricted cash reserved to finance certain capital projects in the State of New York, trade receivables, interest rate derivatives, trade payables and long-term debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade receivables and trade payables approximate their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of the restricted investments held in trust and escrow accounts is included as restricted assets in the Level 1 tier below along with restricted cash reserved for repayment of certain capital projects in the State of New York. The fair values of the interest rate derivatives, included in the Level 2 tier below, are calculated based on the three month LIBOR yield curve that is observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the interest rate swaps, adjusted by the credit risk of us and our counter-parties based on observable credit default swap rates. We recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. See Note 10 for disclosure over the fair value of debt.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

As of December 31, 2014, our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following:


	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2014 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Capital projects	$	5,819	$	—	$	—
Landfill closure		813		—		—

Total	$	6,632	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	1,668	$	—

As of April 30, 2014, our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following:


	Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2014 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Restricted assets	$	681	$	—	$	—

Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	2,770	$	—

As of April 30, 2013, our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following:


	Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2013 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Restricted assets	$	545	$	—	$	—

Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives	$		$	4,229	$

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

As of December 31, 2014, we our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include the following.


	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2014 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Cost method investment – Recycle Rewards	$	—	$	—	$	2,160

As of December 31, 2014, our financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis include our cost method investment in Recycle Rewards. The fair value of our cost method investment was measured by a third-party valuation specialist whom completed a valuation analysis using an income approach based on discounted cash flows to determine an enterprise value for Recycle Rewards in order to properly value our cost method investment in Recycle Rewards.

As of April 30, 2014, our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include the following:


	Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2014 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Asset group – CARES	$	—	$	—	$	650

As of April 30, 2014, our financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis include our assets related to CARES. The fair value of our CARES asset group was measured using an in-exchange valuation premise under the market approach derived from quoted prices of similar assets, adjusted based on qualitative factors specific to the asset.

As of April 30, 2013, our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include the following:


	Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2013 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Asset group – BioFuels	$	—	$	—	$	61

Liabilities:
Guaranty	$	—	$	—	$	2,073

As of April 30, 2013, our financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis include our guaranty of GreenFiber’s modified and restated loan and security agreement and our assets related to KTI BioFuels, Inc. (“BioFuels”), a construction and demolition material processing facility located in Lewiston, Maine, which was classified as held-for-sale as of April 30, 2013. The fair value of our guaranty was determined based on the value of the contribution required to satisfy the guaranty and pay off the term loan in May 2013. The fair value of our BioFuels asset group was measured based on the asset group’s highest and best use using an in-exchange valuation premise under the market approach, utilizing the estimated purchase consideration of the asset group and consideration of costs to be incurred to sell.

- 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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