OTHER ITEMS AND CHARGES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract]

Southbridge Landfill Closure Charge, Net

In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, we initiated a plan to cease operations of the Town of Southbridge, Massachusetts landfill (“Southbridge Landfill”) and later closed it in November 2018 when Southbridge Landfill reached its final capacity. Accordingly, in fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020, we recorded charges associated with the closure of the Southbridge Landfill as follows:


	Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2020
Legal and transaction costs (1)	$	684	$	868	$	2,285
Contract settlement charge (2)	—		572		—
Landfill closure project charge (credit) (3)	752		(944)		490
Legal settlement charge (4)	—		—		2,000
Environmental remediation charge (5)	—		—		(188)



Southbridge Landfill closure charge, net	$	1,436	$	496	$	4,587

(1)We incurred legal costs as well as other transaction costs associated with various matters as part of the Southbridge Landfill closure.

(2)We updated the cost estimates associated with a contract settlement charge associated with the Southbridge Landfill closure and the remaining future obligations due to the Town of Southbridge under the landfill operating agreement with the Town of Southbridge.

(3)We recorded a landfill closure project (credit) charge associated with revised costs under the closure plan at Southbridge Landfill.

(4)We established reserves and made payments associated with legal settlements associated with claims against us as part of the Southbridge Landfill closure. See Note 10, Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Costs for further discussion over our asset retirement obligations associated with our active and closed landfills.

(5)We recorded an environmental remediation reversal associated with the completion of environmental remediation at the Southbridge Landfill.

Expense from Acquisition Activities

In the fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020, we recorded charges of $4,613, $5,304 and $1,862, respectively, comprised primarily of legal, consulting and other similar costs associated with the acquisition and integration of acquired businesses or select development projects. See Note 5, Business Combinations for disclosure regarding acquisition activity.

Environmental Remediation Charge

In fiscal year 2022, we recorded a charge of $759 associated with the investigation of potential remediation at an inactive waste disposal site that adjoins one of the landfills we operate. In fiscal year 2021, we recorded a charge of $924 associated with a settlement agreement to conduct restoration of a stream bed on lands adjoining one of our landfills.