Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

12.

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.

Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted 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, restricted cash reserved to finance certain capital projects, trade receivables, interest rate derivatives, trade payables and long-term debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables approximate their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of 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 costs incurred to fund certain capital projects.

The fair value of the interest rate derivative as of December 31, 2015, included in the Level 2 tier below, is calculated based on a valuation obtained from our counter-party based primarily on the three month LIBOR yield curve that is observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swap. Previously, it was calculated by us based on the three month LIBOR yield curve that is observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swap, adjusted by the credit risk of our counter-party and us based on observable credit default swap rates. The change in valuation method is due to the immaterial credit risk impact of our counter-party and us based on the short term nature of the interest rate swap, which matures on March 15, 2016. We recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. See Note 9, Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases for disclosure over the fair value of debt.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following:


	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2015 Using:
	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets for		Significant Other		Significant
	Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
Restricted assets - capital projects	$	1,348	$	—	$	—
Restricted assets - landfill closure		903		—		—

	$	2,251	$	—	$	—

Liabilities:
Interest rate derivative	$	—	$	178	$	—


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

	$	6,632	$	—	$	—

Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	1,668	$	—


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

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

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include the following:


	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2015 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 - GreenerU	$	—	$	—	$	309
Cost method investment - Recycle Rewards		—		—		1,069


	$	—	$	—	$	1,378

As of December 31, 2015, our financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis include our cost method investments in GreenerU and Recycle Rewards. The fair value of our cost method investment in GreenerU was measured by a third-party valuation specialist who completed a valuation analysis using a market approach based on an option pricing methodology that considers comparable publicly traded companies revenue multiples to determine an equity value and fair market value per share for GreenerU, which we used to properly value our cost method investment in GreenerU. The fair value of our cost method investment in RecycleRewards was measured by us when we completed a valuation analysis using an income approach based on discounted cash flows to determine an equity value for Recycle Rewards in order to properly value our cost method investment in Recycle Rewards.


	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 who completed a valuation analysis using an income approach based on discounted cash flows to determine an equity value for Recycle Rewards in order to properly value our cost method investment in Recycle Rewards.


	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 Casella-Altela Regional Environmental Services, LLC (“CARES”). The fair value of our CARES asset group was measured using an in-exchange valuation premise under the market approach derived from quoted market prices of similar assets, adjusted based on qualitative factors specific to the asset group.

- 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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