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ACCRUED FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST CLOSURE
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
ACCRUED FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST CLOSURE
ACCRUED FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST CLOSURE
Accrued final capping, closure and post-closure costs include the current and non-current portion of costs associated with obligations for final capping, closure and post-closure of our landfills. We estimate our future final capping, closure and post-closure costs in order to determine the final capping, closure and post-closure expense per ton of waste placed into each landfill. The anticipated time frame for paying these costs varies based on the remaining useful life of each landfill, as well as the duration of the post-closure monitoring period.
A summary of the changes to accrued final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities follows:
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Beginning balance
$
41,041

 
$
39,829

Obligations incurred
1,828

 
1,971

Revisions in estimates (1)
(56
)
 

Accretion expense
2,688

 
2,513

Obligations settled (2)
(601
)
 
(2,209
)
Ending balance
$
44,900

 
$
42,104

 
(1)
Relates to changes in estimates and assumptions concerning the anticipated waste flow, cost and timing of future final capping, closure and post-closure activities at certain of our landfills.
(2)
Includes amounts that are being processed through accounts payable as a part of our disbursement cycle.