View Filing Data

Print Document View Excel Document

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000911177
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	CWST
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,700,119
Class B Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		988,200

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,392	$ 1,995
Accounts receivable - trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	66,287	65,953
Refundable income taxes	959	522
Prepaid expenses	7,664	8,299
Inventory	6,492	6,534
Other current assets	1,123	1,077
Total current assets	84,917	84,380
Property, plant and equipment, net	366,817	361,547
Goodwill	130,317	122,605
Intangible assets, net	10,282	8,149
Restricted assets	1,197	1,220
Cost method investments	12,333	12,333
Deferred income taxes	10,977	11,567
Other non-current assets	14,535	13,148
Total assets	631,375	614,949
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	5,037	4,926
Accounts payable	49,603	47,081
Accrued payroll and related expenses	4,571	12,183
Accrued interest	2,311	2,093
Contract liabilities	2,567	1,823
Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs	3,458	3,035
Other accrued liabilities	17,062	17,428
Total current liabilities	84,609	88,569
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current portion	494,934	477,576
Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion	62,208	59,255
Deferred income taxes	2,373	2,305
Other long-term liabilities	26,068	25,106
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit
Additional paid-in capital	359,021	356,638
Accumulated deficit	(398,999)	(395,107)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	734	184
Total stockholders' deficit	(38,817)	(37,862)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	631,375	614,949
Class A Common Stock
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit
Common stock	417	413
Class B Common Stock
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit
Common stock	$ 10	$ 10

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) vote $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) vote $ / shares shares
Accounts receivable - trade, allowance for doubtful accounts \| $	$ 743	$ 809
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization \| $	$ 828,434	$ 811,474
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, issued shares (in shares)	41,700,000	41,298,000
Common stock, outstanding shares (in shares)	41,700,000	41,298,000
Class B Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, issued shares (in shares)	988,000	988,000
Common stock, outstanding shares (in shares)	988,000	988,000
Votes per share held \| vote	10	10

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 147,455	$ 133,802
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations	105,610	94,544
General and administration	21,027	18,845
Depreciation and amortization	15,983	13,849
Contract settlement charge	2,100	0
Southbridge Landfill closure charge	1,586	0
Development project charge	311	0
Total operating expenses	146,617	127,238
Operating income	838	6,564
Other expense (income):
Interest income	(29)	(69)
Interest expense	6,454	6,450
Loss on debt extinguishment	0	472
Other income	(89)	(81)
Other expense, net	6,336	6,772
Loss before income taxes	(5,498)	(208)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(1,588)	16
Net loss	$ (3,910)	$ (224)
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	42,370	41,584
Basic and diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.01)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (3,910)	$ (224)
Hedging activity:
Interest rate swap settlements	(61)	(44)
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense	53	69
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments	785	(66)
Unrealized gain resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities	0	23
Other comprehensive income (loss)	777	(18)
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	209	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	568	(18)
Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders	$ (3,342)	$ (242)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Class A Common Stock	Class A Common Stock Common Stock	Class B Common Stock	Class B Common Stock Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle			$ 18	$ (18)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ (37,862)	$ 356,638	(395,107)	184		$ 413		$ 10
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017					41,298	41,298	988	988
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(3,910)		(3,910)
Other comprehensive income	568			568
Issuances of Class A common stock	310	306				$ 4
Issuances of Class A common stock (in shares)						402
Stock-based compensation	2,077	2,077
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ (38,817)	$ 359,021	$ (398,999)	$ 734		$ 417		$ 10
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018					41,700	41,700	988	988

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (3,910,000)	$ (224,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	15,983,000	13,849,000
Depletion of landfill operating lease obligations	2,392,000	1,764,000
Interest accretion on landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	1,422,000	965,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount on long-term debt	689,000	646,000
Stock-based compensation	2,077,000	1,257,000
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(283,000)	(84,000)
Southbridge Landfill non-cash closure charge	1,403,000	0
Development project charge	311,000	0
Loss on debt extinguishment	0	472,000
Deferred income taxes	(1,187,000)	(74,000)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable	1,242,000	5,569,000
Accounts payable	1,405,000	(4,485,000)
Prepaid expenses, inventories and other assets	(504,000)	(145,000)
Accrued expenses, contract liabilities and other liabilities	(8,246,000)	(8,834,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	12,794,000	10,676,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(18,958,000)	(414,000)
Acquisition related additions to property, plant and equipment	(998,000)	(58,000)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(7,920,000)	(8,634,000)
Payments on landfill operating lease contracts	(509,000)	(977,000)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	342,000	84,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(28,043,000)	(9,999,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	66,700,000	71,200,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(51,364,000)	(71,933,000)
Payments of debt issuance costs	0	(620,000)
Proceeds from the exercise of share based awards	310,000	358,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	15,646,000	(995,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	397,000	(318,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,995,000	2,544,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,392,000	2,226,000
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	5,547,000	8,045,000
Income taxes, net of refunds	36,000	54,000
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Non-current assets obtained through long-term obligations	$ 1,444,000	$ 0

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (“Parent”), and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “we”, “us” or “our”), is a regional, vertically integrated solid waste services company that provides collection, transfer, disposal, landfill, landfill gas-to-energy, recycling, and organics services in the northeastern United States. We market recyclable metals, aluminum, plastics, paper, and corrugated cardboard, which have been processed at our recycling facilities, as well as recyclables purchased from third-parties. We manage our solid waste operations on a geographic basis through two regional operating segments, the Eastern and Western regions, each of which provides a full range of solid waste services, and our larger-scale recycling and commodity brokerage operations through our Recycling segment. Organics services, ancillary operations, major account and industrial services, discontinued operations and earnings from equity method investees, as applicable, are included in our Other segment. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Parent and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities in which we do not have a controlling financial interest are accounted for under either the equity method or the cost method of accounting, as appropriate. Our significant accounting policies are more fully discussed in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on March 2, 2018. For comparative purposes, certain prior period amounts in the consolidated financial statements, including the presentation of contract balances associated with the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, as amended, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) have been reclassified. See Note 3, Revenue Recognition for discussion regarding these changes. Preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses. We must make these estimates and assumptions because certain information that we use is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision given the available data, or simply cannot be readily calculated. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which include normal recurring and nonrecurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 may not be indicative of the results for any other interim period or the entire fiscal year. The consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Subsequent Events We have evaluated subsequent events or transactions that have occurred after the consolidated balance sheet date of March 31, 2018 through the date of filing of the consolidated financial statements with the SEC on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We have determined that, except as disclosed, there are no subsequent events that require disclosure in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

ACCOUNTING CHANGES

A table providing a brief description of recent ASUs to the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) deemed to have a possible material effect on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption based on current account balances and activity follows:



Standard	Description	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Accounting standards that are adopted effective January 1, 2018
ASU 2017-09: Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)	Requires that an entity should account for the effects of a modification to an award unless all of the following conditions are met: the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions immediately before the original award is modified; and the classification of modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified.	The adoption of this guidance could affect equity compensation expense and net income if there is a modification of an award.

ASU 2016-01, as amended through March 2018: Financial Instruments - Overall (Topic 825-10)	Requires the following: (1) equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (2) entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (3) separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; and (4) the elimination of the disclosure requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost.	The adoption of this guidance resulted in: a cumulative-effect adjustment to Accumulated Deficit; recognition of the change in fair value of certain equity investments in net income; and enhanced disclosure. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09, as amended through November 2017: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)	The core principle of the guidance is that using a five step methodology an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosure regarding revenue recognition from customer contracts.	The adoption of this guidance requires using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented or a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative effect adjustment to Accumulated Deficit as of the date of adoption. We adopted the guidance using the modified retrospective approach effective January 1, 2018 with no adjustment to Accumulated Deficit. We adopted the standard through the application of the portfolio approach. We selected a sample of customer contracts to assess under the guidance of the new standard that were characteristically representative of each portfolio. Upon completion of our review, the guidance did not result in a significant change to the timing of revenue recognition. We identified certain immaterial sales commissions, which represent costs of obtaining a contract, that should be capitalized as contract acquisition costs under the guidance and amortized to general and administration expense over the expected life of the customer contract. Based on the immateriality of these sales commissions, no adjustment to Accumulated Deficit nor the accounting of these costs was deemed necessary. See Note 3, Revenue Recognition for additional disclosure.

A table providing a brief description of recent ASUs to the ASC issued by the FASB that may have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption based on current account balances and activity follows:



Standard	Description	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Accounting standards that are pending adoption
ASU 2017-12: Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)	Requires that an entity align its risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both financial and commodity risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements.	The adoption of this guidance affects the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the method of presenting hedge results, including the addition of a tabular disclosure related to the effect on the income statement of fair value and cash flow hedges and no longer measuring and reporting hedge ineffectiveness. This guidance is effective January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted.

ASU 2017-04: Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)	Requires that when an entity is performing its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test, it should compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount when calculating its impairment charge, noting that the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, if applicable, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when calculating its impairment charge.	As of December 31, 2017, we did not record a goodwill impairment charge related to our annual goodwill impairment test because at that time the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value. Upon adoption, if the carrying value of any of these reporting units exceeds the fair value when we perform a goodwill impairment test, we would record an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its fair value. This guidance is effective January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.

ASU 2016-02, as amended through January 2018: Leases (Topic 842)	Requires that a lessee recognize at the commencement date: a lease liability, which is the obligation of the lessee to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.	We are currently assessing the provisions of this guidance and evaluating the impact the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We are also in the process of aggregating lease documentation for review. The adoption of this ASU is expected to impact the balance sheet through the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms in excess of 12 months. This guidance is effective January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach with early adoption permitted.

REVENUE RECOGNITION REVENUE RECOGNITION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

REVENUE RECOGNITION

We adopted ASU 2014-09, as amended, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) effective January 1, 2018. We adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective approach, noting that no cumulative effect adjustment to the beginning balance of Accumulated Deficit was needed. The comparative periods have not been restated and continue to be reported under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. We applied this guidance to contracts that were not substantially completed contracts at the date of adoption. Additionally, contract modifications that occurred before the adoption date were not separately evaluated, rather the guidance was applied to the current version of the contract only. We disaggregate our revenues by applicable service line: collection, landfill, transfer, customer solutions, recycling, organics, transportation and landfill gas-to-energy.

Under the new revenue recognition guidance revenues are measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. The circumstances that impact the timing and amount of revenue recognized for each applicable service line may vary based on the nature of the service performed. We generally recognize revenues for services over time as we satisfy the performance obligation by transferring control over the service to the customer as the service is performed and the benefit is received and consumed by the customer. Services are typically delivered in a series as a single bundled performance obligation over either a designated period of time or for specified number of services. Services may also be delivered as a single bundled service, on a period-to-period basis, or in a spot transaction. Consideration may be variable on a per ton basis and/or fixed. Fixed consideration is allocated to each distinct service and variable consideration is allocated to the increment of time that the service is performed and we have the contractual right to the fee. Fees are typically billed weekly, monthly, quarterly or in advance. Generally, the amount of consideration that we have the right to receive that is invoiced to the customer directly corresponds to the value of our performance completed to date. We elected the optional exemption, to not disclose the amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price that is allocated to outstanding performance obligations when the variable consideration is allocated entirely to unsatisfied performance obligations or to a wholly unsatisfied promise to transfer a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation. Revenues that are not satisfied over time are recognized at a point-in-time. This typically includes the sale of recycled or organic materials, as well as renewable energy credits ("RECs"). Revenues from the sale of organic or recycled materials are recognized at a point-in-time as control of the materials transfers to the customer upon shipment or pick-up by the customer. Revenues from the sale of RECs are recognized at a point-in-time as the trade is executed and control transfers to the customer.

Payments to customers that are not in exchange for a distinct good or service are recorded as a reduction of revenues. Rebates to certain customers associated with payments for recycled or organic materials that are received and subsequently processed and sold to other third-parties amounted to $1,468 in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Rebates are generally recorded as a reduction of revenues upon the sale of such materials, or upon receipt of the recycled materials at our facilities. These payments were previously recorded as a cost of operations. We did not record any revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2018 from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.

Contract receivables, which are included in Accounts receivable - trade, net are recorded when billed or when related revenue is earned, if earlier, and represent claims against third-parties that will be settled in cash. Accounts receivable - trade, net includes gross receivables from contracts of $66,429 and $66,227 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Certain customers are billed in advance and, accordingly, recognition of the related revenues is deferred as a contract liability until the services are provided and control transferred to the customer. Contract liabilities of $2,567 and $1,823 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were reclassified out of Other accrued liabilities and presented separately on the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Due to the short term nature of advanced billings, substantially all of the deferred revenue recognized as a contract liability as of December 31, 2017 was recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2018, when the services were performed.

Revenues by Service Line

Collection

Collection revenues are principally generated by providing waste collection and disposal services to our customers. Services may be provided as needed or as scheduled. We derive a substantial portion of our collection revenues from commercial and industrial services, which typically have a standard contract duration of three years, along with municipal services that are generally performed pursuant to contracts with municipalities with varying terms. The majority of our residential collection services are performed on a subscription basis with individual households.

Landfill

Landfill disposal services primarily consist of receiving some form of acceptable solid waste materials at one of our landfills and appropriately disposing of it. Landfill customers are typically charged a tipping fee on a per ton basis for disposing of their solid waste at our disposal facilities. In general, these fees are variable in nature.

Transfer Station

Transfer station disposal services primarily consist of receiving some form of acceptable solid waste materials at one of our transfer stations and appropriately disposing of it by transporting it to an appropriate disposal site. Transfer station customers are charged a tipping fee on a per ton basis for disposing of their solid waste at our transfer stations. In general, these fees are variable in nature.

Transportation

Transportation services consist of the transportation of large volumes of waste or recycled materials from a customer designated location to another location or disposal facility. Transportation customers are charged a fee on a per ton basis for transporting and/or disposal of the materials. In general, these fees are variable in nature.

Recycling

Recycling services primarily consist of the collection and/or receipt of recycled materials at one of our materials recovery facilities; the processing or sorting of the recycled materials; and the disposal or sale of the recycled materials. Revenues from recycling services consist of revenues derived from municipalities and customers in the form of processing fees, tipping fees and commodity sales. In brokerage arrangements, we act as an agent that facilitates the sale of recyclable materials between an inbound customer and an outbound customer. Revenues from the brokerage of recycled materials are recognized on a net basis at the time of shipment. In general, these fees are variable in nature.

Customer Solutions

Customer solutions services consist of commercial and industrial offerings. Commercial services consist of traditional collection, disposal and recycling services provided to large account multi-site customers. Industrial services consist of overall resource management services provided to large and complex organizations, such as universities, hospitals, manufacturers and municipalities, delivering a wide range of environmental services and zero waste solutions.

Organics

Organics services primarily consist of the collection and/or receipt of organic materials at one of our processing or disposal facilities; the processing of the organic materials; and the disposal or sale of the organic materials.

Landfill Gas-to-Energy

Landfill gas-to-energy services primarily consist of the generation and sale of electricity from landfill gas-to-energy facilities located at certain of our landfills; the reservation of electric generating capacity to be used by a customer on demand; and the sale of RECs.

A table of revenues disaggregated by service line and timing of revenue recognition by operating segment follows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018



	Eastern		Western		Recycling		Other		Total Revenues
Collection	$	30,523	$	36,485	$	—	$	—	$	67,008
Landfill	5,960		14,540		—		—		20,500
Transfer	7,560		5,606		—		—		13,166
Customer solutions	—		—		—		15,169		15,169
Recycling	—		948		10,157		—		11,105
Organics	—		—		—		12,200		12,200
Transportation	—		5,824		—		685		6,509
Landfill gas-to-energy	462		1,336		—		—		1,798
Total revenues	$	44,505	$	64,739	$	10,157	$	28,054	$	147,455

Transferred at a point-in-time	$	191	$	367	$	7,257	$	357	$	8,172
Transferred over time	44,314		64,372		2,900		27,697		139,283
Total revenues	$	44,505	$	64,739	$	10,157	$	28,054	$	147,455

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We acquired one solid waste collection, transfer and processing business in our Eastern region, Complete Disposal Company, Inc. and its subsidiary United Material Management of Holyoke, Inc. (collectively, "Complete"), which provides residential and roll-off collection services, operates a construction and demolition processing facility, and operates a solid waste transfer station with both truck and rail transfer capabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2018. We also acquired one solid waste collection business in our Western region during the three months ended March 31, 2018. In the three months ended March 31, 2017, we acquired one solid waste collection business in our Western region. The operating results of these businesses are included in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations from each date of acquisition, and the purchase price has been allocated to the net assets acquired based on fair values at each date of acquisition, with the residual amounts recorded as goodwill. Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill that are subject to amortization include client lists and non-compete covenants. Such assets are amortized over a five to ten year period from the date of acquisition. All amounts recorded to goodwill, except amounts related to the Complete acquisition, are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

A summary of the purchase price paid for these acquisitions and the allocation of the purchase price for these acquisitions follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Purchase Price:
Cash paid for acquisitions	$	18,778		$	414
Working capital adjustment - preliminary	358			—
Holdbacks	172			46
Total	19,308			460
Allocated as follows:
Current assets	1,587			—
Building	5,578			—
Equipment	4,642			170
Intangible assets	2,700			262
Other liabilities, net	(1,276		)	(9		)
Deferred tax liability	(1,635		)	—
Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	11,596			423
Excess purchase price allocated to goodwill	$	7,712		$	37

The purchase price allocations are preliminary and are based on information existing at the acquisition dates. Accordingly, the purchase price allocations are subject to change. Unaudited pro forma combined information that shows our operational results as though each acquisition completed since the beginning of the prior fiscal year had occurred as of January 1, 2017 follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Revenue	$	147,854		$	140,149
Operating income	$	857		$	6,873
Net loss	$	(3,900	)	$	(47	)
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	42,370			41,584
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.09	)	$	—

The pro forma results set forth in the table above have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations had the acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2017 or of the results of our future operations. Furthermore, the pro forma results do not give effect to all cost savings or incremental costs that may occur as a result of the integration and consolidation of the completed acquisitions.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

A summary of the activity and balances related to goodwill by operating segment follows:



	December 31, 2017		Acquisitions		March 31, 2018
Eastern region (1)	$	19,192	$	6,008	$	25,200
Western region	89,369		1,704		91,073
Recycling	12,315		—		12,315
Other	1,729		—		1,729
Total	$	122,605	$	7,712	$	130,317


(1)	Includes a $1,635 goodwill adjustment for the tax treatment associated with the Complete acquisition. See Note 13, Income Taxes.

A summary of intangible assets by intangible asset type follows:



	Covenants Not-to-Compete			Client Lists			Total
Balance, March 31, 2018
Intangible assets	$	19,192		$	19,687		$	38,879
Less accumulated amortization	(17,025		)	(11,572		)	(28,597		)
	$	2,167		$	8,115		$	10,282



	Covenants Not-to-Compete			Client Lists			Total
Balance, December 31, 2017
Intangible assets	$	18,092		$	18,087		$	36,179
Less accumulated amortization	(16,851		)	(11,179		)	(28,030		)
	$	1,241		$	6,908		$	8,149

Intangible amortization expense was $568 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $487 during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

A summary of intangible amortization expense estimated for the five fiscal years following the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and thereafter follows:



Estimated Future Amortization Expense as of March 31, 2018
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2018	$	1,674
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2019	$	1,975
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2020	$	1,897
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2021	$	1,583
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2022	$	1,227
Thereafter	$	1,926

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

ACCRUED FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST CLOSURE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

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:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	62,290		$	44,207
Obligations incurred	798			556
Revision in estimates (1)	1,492			—
Accretion expense	1,383			965
Obligations settled (2)	(297		)	(126		)
Ending balance	$	65,666		$	45,602


(1)	Relates to changes in estimates and assumptions associated with anticipated costs of future final capping, closure and post-closure activities at the Town of Southbridge, Massachusetts Landfill. See Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies and Note 11, Other Items and Charges for disclosure regarding the matter.


(2)	Includes amounts that are being processed through accounts payable as a part of our disbursements cycle.

LONG-TERM DEBT

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT

A summary of long-term debt and capital leases by debt instrument follows:



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Senior Secured Credit Facility:
Revolving Credit Facility due October 2021; bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.75%	$	52,600	$	36,000
Term Loan B Facility due October 2023; bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%	345,625		346,500
Tax-Exempt Bonds:
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014 due December 2044 - fixed rate interest period through 2019; bearing interest at 3.75%	25,000		25,000
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2 due December 2044 - fixed rate interest period through 2026; bearing interest at 3.125%	15,000		15,000
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 due January 2025 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 5.25%	25,000		25,000
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1 due August 2035 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 5.125%	15,000		15,000
Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2013 due April 2036 - fixed rate interest period through 2018; bearing interest at 4.75%	16,000		16,000
Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013 due April 2029 - fixed rate interest period through 2019; bearing interest at 4.00%	11,000		11,000
Other:
Capital leases maturing through December 2107; bearing interest at up to 7.70%	6,713		5,595
Notes payable maturing through June 2027; bearing interest at up to 7.00%	2,522		2,585
Principal amount of long-term debt and capital leases	514,460		497,680
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (1)	14,489		15,178
Long-term debt and capital leases less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	499,971		482,502
Less—current maturities of long-term debt	5,037		4,926
	$	494,934	$	477,576


(1)	A summary of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs by debt instrument follows:



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Revolving Credit Facility	$	3,682	$	3,938
Term Loan B Facility (including unamortized discount of $1,424 and $1,482)	7,101		7,392
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014	987		1,034
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2	496		511
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3	581		603
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1	673		691
Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2013	565		573
Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013	404		436
	$	14,489	$	15,178

Financing Activities

Tax-Exempt Financings

In April 2018, we completed the issuance of $15,000 aggregate principal amount of Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-2 (“FAME Bonds 2015R-2”). The FAME Bonds 2015R-2, which are unsecured and guaranteed jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally by all of our significant wholly-owned subsidiaries, accrue interest at 4.375% per annum through July 31, 2025, at which time they may be converted from a fixed to a variable rate. Interest is payable semiannually each year on May 1 and November 1 until the FAME Bonds 2015R-2 mature on August 1, 2035. We borrowed the proceeds of the offering of the FAME Bonds 2015R-2 to finance or refinance the costs of certain of our solid waste landfill facilities and solid waste collection, organics and transfer, recycling and hauling facilities, and to pay certain costs of the issuance of the FAME Bonds 2015R-2.

In April 2018, we completed the remarketing of $16,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.75% fixed rate Vermont Economic Development Authority ("Vermont Bonds") Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013 (“Vermont Bonds”). The Vermont Bonds, which are unsecured and guaranteed jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally by all of our significant wholly-owned subsidiaries, accrue interest at 4.625% per annum through April 2, 2028 after which time there is a mandatory tender. The Vermont Bonds mature on April 1, 2036.

In the three months ended March 31, 2017, we completed the remarketing of $3,600 aggregate principal amount of Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-1 (“FAME Bonds 2005R-1”) and $21,400 aggregate principal amount of Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-2 (“FAME Bonds 2005R-2”) into one series of $25,000 aggregate principal amount Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 (“FAME Bonds 2005R-3”). The FAME Bonds 2005R-3, which are unsecured and guaranteed jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally by all of our significant wholly-owned subsidiaries, accrue interest at 5.25% per annum until they mature on January 1, 2025.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

We recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $472 during the three months ended March 31, 2017 associated with the write-off of debt issuance costs in connection with the remarketing of the FAME Bonds 2005R-1 and the FAME Bonds 2005R-2 into the FAME Bonds 2005R-3.

Cash Flow Hedges

In the three months ended March 31, 2017, we entered into three interest rate derivative agreements to hedge interest rate risk associated with the variable rate portion of our long-term debt. The total notional amount of these agreements is $60,000 and requires us to receive interest based on changes in the 1-month LIBOR index with a 1.0% floor and pay interest at a weighted average rate of approximately 1.95%. Two of the agreements, with a total notional amount of $35,000, mature in February 2021, and the final agreement, with a total notional amount of $25,000, matures in February 2022. We have designated these derivative instruments as cash flow hedges.

In accordance with the derivatives and hedging guidance in FASB ASC 815 - Derivatives and Hedging, the effective portions of the changes in fair values of interest rate swaps have been recorded in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. As the critical terms of the interest rate swaps match the underlying debt being hedged, no ineffectiveness is recognized on these swaps and, therefore, all unrealized changes in fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

As of March 31, 2018, we have recorded a derivative asset with a fair value of $103 in other current assets and $953 in other non-current assets associated with these cash flow hedges.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of our business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the solid waste industry, we are subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving state and local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency may seek to impose fines or to revoke or deny renewal of an operating permit held by us. From time to time, we may also be subject to actions brought by special interest or other groups, adjacent landowners or residents in connection with the permitting and licensing of landfills and transfer stations, or allegations of environmental damage or violations of the permits and licenses pursuant to which we operate. In addition, we may be named defendants in various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violations of certain laws and alleged liabilities arising out of matters occurring during the ordinary operation of a waste management business.

In accordance with FASB ASC 450 - Contingencies, we accrue for legal proceedings, inclusive of legal costs, when losses become probable and reasonably estimable. As of the end of each applicable reporting period, we review each of our legal proceedings to determine whether it is probable, reasonably possible or remote that a liability has been incurred and, if it is at least reasonably possible, whether a range of loss can be reasonably estimated under the provisions of FASB ASC 450-20. In instances where we determine that a loss is probable and we can reasonably estimate a range of loss we may incur with respect to such a matter, we record an accrual for the amount within the range that constitutes our best estimate of the possible loss. If we are able to reasonably estimate a range, but no amount within the range appears to be a better estimate than any other, we record an accrual in the amount that is the low end of such range. When a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, we will not record an accrual, but we will disclose our estimate of the possible range of loss where such estimate can be made in accordance with FASB ASC 450-20.

Environmental Remediation Liability (including related litigation)

We are subject to liability for environmental damage, including personal injury and property damage, that our solid waste, recycling and power generation facilities may cause to neighboring property owners, particularly as a result of the contamination of drinking water sources or soil, possibly including damage resulting from conditions that existed before we acquired the facilities. We may also be subject to liability for similar claims arising from off-site environmental contamination caused by pollutants or hazardous substances if we or our predecessors arrange or arranged to transport, treat or dispose of those materials. The following matters represent our material outstanding claims.

Southbridge Recycling & Disposal Park, Inc.

In October 2015, our Southbridge Recycling and Disposal Park, Inc. (“SRD”) subsidiary reported to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MADEP”) results of analysis of samples collected pursuant to our existing permit from private drinking water wells located near the Town of Southbridge, Massachusetts (“Town”) Landfill (“Southbridge Landfill”), which is operated by SRD. Those results indicated the presence of contaminants above the levels triggering notice and response obligations under MADEP regulations. In response to those results, we are carrying out an Immediate Response Action pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 21E (the "Charlton 21E Obligations") pursuant to state law. Further, we have implemented a plan to analyze and better understand the groundwater near the Southbridge Landfill and we are investigating with the objective of identifying the source or sources of the elevated levels of contamination measured in the well samples. If it is determined that some or all of the contamination originated at the Southbridge Landfill, we will work with the Town (the Southbridge Landfill owner and the former operator of an unlined portion of the Southbridge Landfill, which was used prior to our operation of a double-lined portion of the Southbridge Landfill commencing in 2004) to evaluate and allocate the liabilities related to the Charlton 21E Obligations. In July 2016, we sent correspondence to the Town pursuant to Chapter 21E of Massachusetts General Laws demanding that the Town reimburse us for the environmental response costs we had spent and that the Town be responsible for all such costs in the future, as well as any other costs or liabilities resulting from the release of contaminants from the unlined portion of the Southbridge Landfill. The Town responded in September 2016, denying that the Southbridge Landfill is the source of such contamination, and claiming that if it is, that we may owe an indemnity to the Town pursuant to the Operating Agreement between us and the Town dated May 29, 2007, as amended. We entered into a Tolling Agreement with the Town to delay any further administrative or legal actions until our work with MADEP more specifically defines the parties’ responsibilities for the Charlton 21E Obligations, if any. Please see below for further discussion of our relationship with the Town regarding the Charlton 21E Obligations.

In February 2016, we and the Town received a Notice of Intent to Sue under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") from a law firm purporting to represent residents proximate to the Southbridge Landfill (“Residents”), indicating its intent to file suit against us on behalf of the Residents alleging the groundwater contamination originated from the Southbridge Landfill. In February 2017, we received an additional Notice of Intent to Sue from the National Environmental Law Center under the Federal Clean Water Act ("CWA") and RCRA (collectively the “Acts”) on behalf of Environment America, Inc., d/b/a Environment Massachusetts, and Toxics Action Center, Inc., which have referred to themselves as the Citizen Groups. The Citizen Groups alleged that we had violated the Acts, and that they intended to seek appropriate relief in federal court for those alleged violations. On or about June 9, 2017, a lawsuit was filed against us, SRD and the Town in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts by the Citizen Groups and the Residents alleging violations of the Acts (the “Litigation”), and demanding a variety of remedies under the Acts, including fines, remediation, mitigation and costs of litigation, and remedies for violations of Massachusetts civil law related to personal and property damages, including remediation, diminution of property values, compensation for lost use and enjoyment of properties, enjoinment of further operation of the Southbridge Landfill, and costs of litigation, plus interest on any damage award, on behalf of the Residents. We believe the Litigation to be factually inaccurate, and without legal merit, and we and SRD intend to vigorously defend the Litigation. Nevertheless, we believe it is reasonably possible that a loss will occur as a result of the Litigation although an estimate of loss cannot be reasonably provided at this time due to the infancy of this matter. We also continue to believe the Town should be responsible for costs or liabilities associated with the Litigation relative to alleged contamination originating from the unlined portion of the Southbridge Landfill, although there can be no assurance that we will not be required to incur some or all of such costs and liabilities.

We entered into an Administrative Consent Order on April 26, 2017 (the “ACO”), with MADEP, the Town, and the Town of Charlton, committing us to equally share the costs with MADEP, of up to $10,000 ($5,000 each) for the Town to install a municipal waterline in the Town of Charlton ("Waterline"). Upon satisfactory completion of that Waterline, and other matters covered by the ACO, we and the Town will be released by MADEP from any future responsibilities for the Charlton 21E Obligations. We also entered into an agreement with the Town on April 28, 2017 entitled the “21E Settlement and Water System Construction Funding Agreement” (the “Waterline Agreement”), wherein we and the Town released each other from claims arising from the Charlton 21E Obligations. Pursuant to the Waterline Agreement, the Town will issue a twenty (20) year bond for our portion of the Waterline costs (up to $5,000). We have agreed to reimburse the Town for periodic payments under such bond. The Town has recently advised us that it has solicited and received proposals for the construction of the Waterline as contemplated by the ACO.

We have recorded an environmental remediation liability associated with the future installation of the Waterline in other accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities. We inflate the estimated costs in current dollars to the expected time of payment and discount the total cost to present value using a risk-free interest rate of 2.6%. Our expenditures could be significantly higher if costs exceed estimates. The changes to the environmental remediation liability associated with the Southbridge Landfill are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	5,936		$	—
Accretion expense	39			—
Obligations settled (1)	(237		)	—
Ending balance	$	5,738		$	—


(1)	Includes amounts that are being processed through accounts payable as a part of our disbursements cycle.

In November 2016, SRD received a cease and desist order (“Order”) from the Charlton alternate zoning enforcement officer, alleging that two stormwater detention basins on SRD’s property in Charlton existed in violation of Charlton zoning requirements. SRD appealed the Order to the Charlton Zoning Board of Appeals, which upheld the Order. In June 2017, SRD appealed the Charlton Zoning Board of Appeals decision to the Massachusetts Land Court. We believe a loss is probable and have recorded a reserve of $1,216 as of March 31, 2018, which constitutes our best estimate of the potential loss associated with Charlton’s claim against us. This was recorded as part of the Southbridge Landfill closure charge in the three months ended March 31, 2018.

In August 2016, we filed a complaint against Steadfast Insurance Company (“Steadfast”) in the Superior Court of Suffolk County, Massachusetts (the "Court"), alleging among other things, that Steadfast breached its Pollution Liability Policy (“Policy”) purchased by us in April 2015, by refusing to acknowledge coverage under the Policy, and refusing to cover any of the costs and liabilities incurred by us as described above as well as costs and liabilities that we may incur in the future. Steadfast filed an answer and counterclaim in September 2016, denying that it has any obligations to us under the Policy, and seeking a declaratory judgment of Steadfast’s obligations under the Policy. We are in the discovery phase of this litigation. Steadfast has filed a Motion to Dismiss (the "Motion") our litigation against it, and we filed our response on July 11, 2017. On September 7, 2017, the Court denied the Motion.

On June 13, 2017, Town voters rejected a non-binding ballot initiative intended to provide guidance to Town officials with respect to our pursuit of other landfill development opportunities at the Southbridge Landfill. Following such rejection by the Town voters, our board of directors and senior management determined after due consideration of all facts and circumstances that it is no longer likely that further development at the existing landfill site will generate an adequate risk adjusted return at the Southbridge Landfill, and accordingly we expect to cease operations at the Southbridge Landfill when no further capacity is available, expected by no later than December 31, 2018. We delivered correspondence to the Town to this effect on August 3, 2017, citing events of Change in Law and Force Majeure pursuant to our May 29, 2007 Extension Agreement with the Town ("Extension Agreement") and the impacts of such events on further expansion of the Southbridge Landfill. We have advised the Town that we see no economically feasible way to operate the Southbridge Landfill beyond its current permitted life and we have filed a closure plan with MADEP. Following cessation of operations, we will proceed to conduct proper closure and other activities at the Southbridge Landfill in accordance with the Extension Agreement with the Town, and Federal, state and local law. We reached this conclusion after carefully evaluating the estimated future costs associated with the permitting, engineering and construction activities for the planned expansion of the Southbridge Landfill against the possible outcomes of the permitting process and the anticipated future benefits of successful expansions. Under the Extension Agreement, which we account for as an operating lease, there are potential contractual obligations and commitments, including future cash payments of $2,199 and services that extend beyond the current useful life of the Southbridge Landfill. In accordance with FASB ASC 420 - Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, a liability for costs to be incurred under a contract for its remaining term without economic benefit shall be recognized when we cease using the right conveyed by the contract. We may incur a loss associated with these potential contractual obligations upon cessation of operations at the Southbridge Landfill when remaining capacity is exhausted by the placement of waste at the site. In this respect, the Town has, on or about April 11, 2018, filed a motion for a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (the “District Court”) seeking a judgment from the District Court as to the rights of the parties pursuant to the Extension Agreement, and injunctive relief to prevent us from discontinuing free collection and disposal of the Town’s municipal waste when the Southbridge Landfill ceases to accept waste (the “Town Equity Litigation”). We will vigorously defend the Town Equity Litigation on its merits, and further, on the grounds that the Town Equity Litigation is not in compliance with the procedures for dispute resolution as set forth in the Extension Agreement.

The costs and liabilities we may be required to incur in connection with the foregoing Southbridge Landfill matters could be material to our results of operations, our cash flows and our financial condition.

Potsdam Environmental Remediation Liability

On December 20, 2000, the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) issued an Order on Consent (“Order”) which named Waste-Stream, Inc. (“WSI”), our subsidiary, General Motors Corporation (“GM”) and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (“NiMo”) as Respondents. The Order required that the Respondents undertake certain work on a 25-acre scrap yard and solid waste transfer station owned by WSI in Potsdam, New York, including the preparation of a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (“Study”). A draft of the Study was submitted to the DEC in January 2009 (followed by a final report in May 2009). The Study estimated that the undiscounted costs associated with implementing the preferred remedies would be approximately $10,219. On February 28, 2011, the DEC issued a Proposed Remedial Action Plan for the site and accepted public comments on the proposed remedy through March 29, 2011. We submitted comments to the DEC on this matter. In April 2011, the DEC issued the final Record of Decision (“ROD”) for the site. The ROD was subsequently rescinded by the DEC for failure to respond to all submitted comments. The preliminary ROD, however, estimated that the present cost associated with implementing the preferred remedies would be approximately $12,130. The DEC issued the final ROD in June 2011 with proposed remedies consistent with its earlier ROD. An Order on Consent and Administrative Settlement naming WSI and NiMo as Respondents was executed by the Respondents and DEC with an effective date of October 25, 2013. On January 29, 2016, a Cost-Sharing Agreement was executed between WSI, NiMo, Alcoa Inc. (“Alcoa”) and Reynolds Metal Company (“Reynolds”) whereby Alcoa and Reynolds elected to voluntarily participate in the onsite remediation activities at a combined 15% participant share. It is unlikely that any significant expenditures relating to onsite remediation will be incurred until the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. WSI is jointly and severally liable with NiMo, Alcoa and Reynolds for the total cost to remediate.

We have recorded an environmental remediation liability associated with the Potsdam site based on incurred costs to date and estimated costs to complete the remediation in other accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities. Our expenditures could be significantly higher if costs exceed estimates. We inflate the estimated costs in current dollars to the expected time of payment and discount the total cost to present value using a risk-free interest rate of 1.5%.

A summary of the changes to the environmental remediation liability associated with the Potsdam environmental remediation liability follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	5,758		$	5,866
Obligations settled	(6		)	—
Ending balance	$	5,752		$	5,866

North Country Environmental Services

On March 8, 2018, we received notice from the Toxic Actions Center and the Conservation Law Foundation of their intent to sue us over alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at the North Country Environmental Services landfill ("NCES Landfill"). The company plans to vigorously defend these allegations if and when an action is filed.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Stock Based Compensation

Shares Available For Issuance

In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we adopted the 2016 Incentive Plan (“2016 Plan”). Under the 2016 Plan, we may grant awards up to an aggregate amount of shares equal to the sum of: (i) 2,250 shares of Class A common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits and other similar events), plus (ii) such additional number of shares of Class A common stock (up to 2,723 shares) as is equal to the sum of the number of shares of Class A common stock that remained available for grant under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (“2006 Plan”) immediately prior to the expiration of the 2006 Plan and the number of shares of Class A common stock subject to awards granted under the 2006 Plan that expire, terminate or are otherwise surrendered, canceled, forfeited or repurchased by us. As of March 31, 2018, there were 1,642 Class A common stock equivalents available for future grant under the 2016 Plan.

Stock Options

Stock options are granted at a price equal to the prevailing fair value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant. Generally, stock options granted have a term not to exceed ten years and vest over a one year to four year period from the date of grant.

The fair value of each stock option granted, with the exception of market-based performance stock option grants, is estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimation, including estimates of the expected term stock option holders will retain their vested stock options before exercising them and the estimated volatility of our Class A common stock price over the expected term. The fair value of each market-based performance stock option granted is estimated using a Monte Carlo option-pricing model, which also requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimation, including estimates of the expected term stock option holders will retain their vested stock options before exercising them and the estimated volatility of our Class A common stock price over the expected term, but also including estimates of share price appreciation plus the value of dividends of our Class A common stock as compared to the Russell 2000 Index over the requisite service period.

A summary of stock option activity follows:



	Stock Options (1)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, December 31, 2017	727		$	5.82
Granted	—		$	—
Exercised	(63	)	$	4.93
Forfeited	—		$	—
Outstanding, March 31, 2018	664		$	5.91	6.2	$	11,595
Exercisable, March 31, 2018	464		$	4.79	5.4	$	8,619
Unvested, March 31, 2018	240		$	9.16	8.0	$	3,413


(1)	Market-based performance stock options are included at the 100% attainment level. Attainment of the maximum performance targets and market achievements would result in the issuance of an additional 40 shares of Class A common stock currently included in unvested.

Stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $124 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $171 during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $1,153.

As of March 31, 2018, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding stock options, including market-based performance stock options assuming the attainment of maximum performance targets, was $349, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.5 years.

Other Stock Awards

Restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units, with the exception of market-based performance stock units, are granted at a price equal to the fair value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant. The fair value of each market-based performance stock unit is estimated using a Monte Carlo pricing model, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimation, including the estimated share price appreciation plus the value of dividends of our Class A common stock as compared to the Russell 2000 Index over the requisite service period.

Restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors vest incrementally over a three year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. Restricted stock units granted to employees vest incrementally over an identified service period beginning on the grant date based on continued employment. Performance stock units granted to employees, including market-based performance stock units, vest at a future date following the grant date and are based on the attainment of performance targets and market achievements, as applicable.

A summary of restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance stock unit activity follows:



	Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units (1)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, December 31, 2017	1,091		$	9.81
Granted	201		$	24.96
Class A Common Stock Vested	(340	)	$	6.20
Forfeited	—		$	—
Outstanding, March 31, 2018	952		$	14.29	1.6	$	8,977
Unvested, March 31, 2018	1,402		$	14.56	1.6	$	12,914


(1)	Market-based performance stock unit grants are included at the 100% attainment level. Attainment of the maximum performance targets and market achievements would result in the issuance of an additional 450 shares of Class A common stock currently included in unvested.

Stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock units was $1,930 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $1,058 during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the total fair value of other stock awards vested was $8,876.

As of March 31, 2018, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock units was $4,467, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years. As of March 31, 2018, maximum unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding performance stock units, assuming the attainment of maximum performance targets, was $8,252 to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.

The weighted average fair value of market-based performance stock units granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $26.02 per award, which was calculated using a Monte Carlo pricing model assuming a risk free interest rate of 2.39% and an expected volatility of 32.70% assuming no expected dividend yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the expected service period of the award. Expected volatility is calculated using the daily volatility of our Class A common stock over the expected service period of the award.

The Monte Carlo pricing model requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimation. Application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different estimates of the fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

We also recorded $23 of stock-based compensation expense related to our Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $28 during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

A summary of the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax follows:




	Marketable Securities			Interest Rate Swaps
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	18		$	166
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle	(18		)	—
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			724
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			53
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	—			(209		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income	—			568
Balance, March 31, 2018	$	—		$	734

A summary of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income					Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Interest rate swaps	$	53		$	69	Interest expense
	53			69		Loss before income taxes
	209			—		(Benefit) provision for income taxes
	$	(156	)	$	69	Net loss

EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net loss from continuing operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the combined weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive shares, which include the assumed exercise of employee stock options, including market-based performance stock options based on the expected achievement of performance targets, unvested restricted stock awards, unvested restricted stock units and unvested performance stock units, including market-based performance units based on the expected achievement of performance targets. In computing diluted earnings per share, we utilize the treasury stock method.

A summary of the numerator and denominators used in the computation of earnings per share follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(3,910	)	$	(224	)
Denominators:
Number of shares outstanding, end of period:
Class A common stock	41,700			40,892
Class B common stock	988			988
Unvested restricted stock	(38		)	(88		)
Effect of weighted average shares outstanding	(280		)	(208		)
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	42,370			41,584
Anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares	2,105			2,683

OTHER ITEMS AND CHARGES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]

Other Items and Charges

Contract Settlement Charge

In the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded a contract settlement charge of $2,100 associated with the termination and discounted buy-out of a commodities marketing and brokerage agreement.

Southbridge Landfill Closure Charge

In June 2017, we initiated the plan to cease operations of the Southbridge Landfill as disclosed in Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies. Accordingly, in the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded a charge associated with the closure of the Southbridge Landfill as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Charlton settlement charge (1)	$	1,216	$	—
Legal and transaction costs (2)	370		—
Southbridge Landfill closure charge	$	1,586	$	—


(1)	We established a reserve associated with the Town of Charlton's claim against us. See Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies for additional disclosure.


(2)	We incurred legal and other transaction costs associated with various matters as part of the Southbridge Landfill closure. See Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies for additional disclosure.

Development Project Charge

In the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded a development project charge of $311 associated with previously deferred costs that were written off as a result of the negative vote in a public referendum relating to our NCES Landfill.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

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

Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable-trade, restricted investment securities held in trust on deposit with various banks as collateral for our obligations relative to our landfill final capping, closure and post-closure costs, interest rate swaps, trade payables and long-term debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable - trade and trade payables approximate their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of restricted investment securities held in trust, which are valued using quoted market prices, are included as restricted assets in the Level 1 tier below. The fair value of the interest rate swaps included in the Level 2 tier below is calculated using discounted cash flow valuation methodologies based upon the one month LIBOR yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swaps.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Summaries of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis follow:



	Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2018 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	1,055	$	—
Restricted investment securities - landfill closure	1,197		—		—
Total	$	1,197	$	1,055	$	—



	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2017 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Restricted investment securities - landfill closure	$	1,220	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swaps	—		401
Total	$	1,220	$	401	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	123	$	—

Fair Value of Debt

As of March 31, 2018, the fair value of our fixed rate debt, including our FAME Bonds 2005R-3, Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015 (“FAME Bonds 2015”), Vermont Bonds, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014 (“New York Bonds 2014”), New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2 (“New York Bonds 2016”) and Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013 issued by the Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire (“New Hampshire Bonds”) was approximately $108,003 and the carrying value was $107,000. The fair value of the FAME Bonds 2005R-3, the FAME Bonds 2015, the Vermont Bonds, the New York Bonds 2014, the New York Bonds 2016 and the New Hampshire Bonds is considered to be Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value is determined using market approach pricing provided by a third-party that utilizes pricing models and pricing systems, mathematical tools and judgment to determine the evaluated price for the security based on the market information of each of the bonds or securities with similar characteristics. The fair value of our fixed rate debt does not include the issuance in April 2018 of $15,000 aggregate principal amount of FAME Bonds 2015R-2.

As of March 31, 2018, the fair value of our term loan B component of our senior credit facility (the "Term Loan B Facility") was approximately $347,353 and the carrying value was $345,625. The fair value of the Term Loan B Facility is considered to be Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as its fair value is based off of quoted market prices in a principal to principal market with limited public information. As of March 31, 2018, the fair value of our revolving line-of-credit component of our senior credit facility approximated its carrying value of $52,600 based on current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, or Level 2 inputs.

Although we have determined the estimated fair value amounts of the Term Loan B Facility, FAME Bonds 2005R-3, FAME Bonds 2015, Vermont Bonds, New York Bonds 2014, New York Bonds 2016 and New Hampshire Bonds using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, a change in available market information, and/or the use of different assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair values. These amounts have not been revalued, and current estimates of fair value could differ significantly from the amounts presented.

- 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.

+ References + Details

SEGMENT REPORTING

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT REPORTING

We report selected information about operating segments in a manner consistent with that used for internal management reporting. We classify our solid waste operations on a geographic basis through regional operating segments, our Western and Eastern regions. Revenues associated with our solid waste operations are derived mainly from solid waste collection and disposal, landfill, landfill gas-to-energy, transfer and recycling services in the northeastern United States. Our revenues in the Recycling segment are derived from municipalities and customers in the form of processing fees, tipping fees and commodity sales. Organics services, ancillary operations, major account and industrial services, discontinued operations, and earnings from equity method investees, as applicable, are included in our Other segment.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018



Segment	Outside revenues		Inter-company revenue			Depreciation and amortization		Operating income (loss)			Total assets
Eastern	$	44,505	$	11,306		$	5,979	$	(1,812	)	$	174,860
Western	64,739		18,631			8,032		7,194			342,285
Recycling	10,157		1,185			1,054		(5,167		)	47,065
Other	28,054		317			918		623			67,165
Eliminations	—		(31,439		)	—		—			—
Total	$	147,455	$	—		$	15,983	$	838		$	631,375

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017



Segment	Outside revenues		Inter-company revenue			Depreciation and amortization		Operating income (loss)		Total assets
Eastern	$	38,686	$	9,522		$	5,404	$	21	$	197,817
Western	54,144		15,781			6,604		4,089		324,262
Recycling	16,635		(244		)	1,004		1,583		50,138
Other	24,337		374			837		871		49,032
Eliminations	—		(25,433		)	—		—		—
Total	$	133,802	$	—		$	13,849	$	6,564	$	621,249

A summary of our revenues attributable to services provided follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Collection	$	66,475	$	59,838
Disposal	40,234		31,281
Power generation	1,799		1,352
Processing	1,420		1,660
Solid waste operations	109,928		94,131
Organics	12,200		9,214
Customer solutions	15,170		13,822
Recycling	10,157		16,635
Total revenues	$	147,455	$	133,802

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The benefit for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2018 includes a ($1,635) deferred tax benefit due to a reduction of the valuation allowance. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we have assessed the available means of recovering deferred tax assets, including the existence of reversing temporary differences. The valuation allowance decreased due to the recognition of additional reversing temporary differences from the $1,635 deferred tax liability recorded through goodwill related to the Complete acquisition. The $1,635 deferred tax liability related to the Complete acquisition was based on the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for income tax purposes. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted. The Act, which is also commonly referred to as “US tax reform,” significantly changes US corporate income tax laws by, among other things, reducing the US corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% starting in 2018. Under the Act, the alternative minimum tax has been repealed and minimum tax credit carryforwards become refundable beginning in 2018 and will be fully refunded, if not otherwise used to offset tax liabilities, in tax year 2021. Further, our $101.2 million in federal net operating loss carryforwards generated as of the end of 2017 continue to be carried forward for 20 years and are expected to be available to fully offset taxable income earned in 2018 and future tax years. Federal net operating losses generated after 2017 will be carried forward indefinitely, but generally may only offset up to 80% of taxable income earned in a tax year. In the quarter ending December 31, 2017, we revalued our deferred tax assets and liabilities for changes under the Act including (a) revaluing our federal net deferred taxes assets before valuation allowance using the 21% tax rate; (b) revaluing our federal valuation allowance using the 21% tax rate; and (c) recognizing a federal deferred tax benefit for 80% of indefinite lived deferred tax liabilities, which are anticipated to be available as a source of taxable income upon reversal of deferred tax assets that would also have indefinite lives. The benefit for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2018 incorporates the changes under the Act, including use of the 21% US corporate income tax rate and applying the new federal net operating loss carryforward rules. We have $3,804 minimum tax credit carryforwards of which we anticipate $1,902 is refundable in 2018. A current income tax benefit of $475, offset by a $475 deferred tax provision, was recognized in the quarter for a portion of the minimum tax credit carryforward refundable in 2018.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (“Parent”), and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “we”, “us” or “our”), is a regional, vertically integrated solid waste services company that provides collection, transfer, disposal, landfill, landfill gas-to-energy, recycling, and organics services in the northeastern United States. We market recyclable metals, aluminum, plastics, paper, and corrugated cardboard, which have been processed at our recycling facilities, as well as recyclables purchased from third-parties. We manage our solid waste operations on a geographic basis through two regional operating segments, the Eastern and Western regions, each of which provides a full range of solid waste services, and our larger-scale recycling and commodity brokerage operations through our Recycling segment. Organics services, ancillary operations, major account and industrial services, discontinued operations and earnings from equity method investees, as applicable, are included in our Other segment.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Parent and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities in which we do not have a controlling financial interest are accounted for under either the equity method or the cost method of accounting, as appropriate. Our significant accounting policies are more fully discussed in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on March 2, 2018.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses. We must make these estimates and assumptions because certain information that we use is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision given the available data, or simply cannot be readily calculated. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which include normal recurring and nonrecurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 may not be indicative of the results for any other interim period or the entire fiscal year. The consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events or transactions that have occurred after the consolidated balance sheet date of March 31, 2018 through the date of filing of the consolidated financial statements with the SEC on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We have determined that, except as disclosed, there are no subsequent events that require disclosure in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Accounting Standards that are Adopted and Pending Adoption



Standard	Description	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Accounting standards that are adopted effective January 1, 2018
ASU 2017-09: Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)	Requires that an entity should account for the effects of a modification to an award unless all of the following conditions are met: the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions immediately before the original award is modified; and the classification of modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified.	The adoption of this guidance could affect equity compensation expense and net income if there is a modification of an award.

ASU 2016-01, as amended through March 2018: Financial Instruments - Overall (Topic 825-10)	Requires the following: (1) equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (2) entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (3) separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; and (4) the elimination of the disclosure requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost.	The adoption of this guidance resulted in: a cumulative-effect adjustment to Accumulated Deficit; recognition of the change in fair value of certain equity investments in net income; and enhanced disclosure. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09, as amended through November 2017: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)	The core principle of the guidance is that using a five step methodology an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosure regarding revenue recognition from customer contracts.	The adoption of this guidance requires using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented or a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative effect adjustment to Accumulated Deficit as of the date of adoption. We adopted the guidance using the modified retrospective approach effective January 1, 2018 with no adjustment to Accumulated Deficit. We adopted the standard through the application of the portfolio approach. We selected a sample of customer contracts to assess under the guidance of the new standard that were characteristically representative of each portfolio. Upon completion of our review, the guidance did not result in a significant change to the timing of revenue recognition. We identified certain immaterial sales commissions, which represent costs of obtaining a contract, that should be capitalized as contract acquisition costs under the guidance and amortized to general and administration expense over the expected life of the customer contract. Based on the immateriality of these sales commissions, no adjustment to Accumulated Deficit nor the accounting of these costs was deemed necessary. See Note 3, Revenue Recognition for additional disclosure.



Standard	Description	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Accounting standards that are pending adoption
ASU 2017-12: Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)	Requires that an entity align its risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both financial and commodity risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements.	The adoption of this guidance affects the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the method of presenting hedge results, including the addition of a tabular disclosure related to the effect on the income statement of fair value and cash flow hedges and no longer measuring and reporting hedge ineffectiveness. This guidance is effective January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted.

ASU 2017-04: Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)	Requires that when an entity is performing its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test, it should compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount when calculating its impairment charge, noting that the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, if applicable, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when calculating its impairment charge.	As of December 31, 2017, we did not record a goodwill impairment charge related to our annual goodwill impairment test because at that time the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value. Upon adoption, if the carrying value of any of these reporting units exceeds the fair value when we perform a goodwill impairment test, we would record an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its fair value. This guidance is effective January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.

ASU 2016-02, as amended through January 2018: Leases (Topic 842)	Requires that a lessee recognize at the commencement date: a lease liability, which is the obligation of the lessee to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.	We are currently assessing the provisions of this guidance and evaluating the impact the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We are also in the process of aggregating lease documentation for review. The adoption of this ASU is expected to impact the balance sheet through the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms in excess of 12 months. This guidance is effective January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach with early adoption permitted.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues by Service Line

Collection

Landfill

Transfer Station

Transportation

Recycling

Customer Solutions

Organics

Landfill Gas-to-Energy

Accrued Final Capping, Closure and Post Closure

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value

Segment Reporting

ACCOUNTING CHANGES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles



Standard	Description	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Accounting standards that are adopted effective January 1, 2018
ASU 2017-09: Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)	Requires that an entity should account for the effects of a modification to an award unless all of the following conditions are met: the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions immediately before the original award is modified; and the classification of modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified.	The adoption of this guidance could affect equity compensation expense and net income if there is a modification of an award.

ASU 2016-01, as amended through March 2018: Financial Instruments - Overall (Topic 825-10)	Requires the following: (1) equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (2) entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (3) separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; and (4) the elimination of the disclosure requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost.	The adoption of this guidance resulted in: a cumulative-effect adjustment to Accumulated Deficit; recognition of the change in fair value of certain equity investments in net income; and enhanced disclosure. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09, as amended through November 2017: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)	The core principle of the guidance is that using a five step methodology an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosure regarding revenue recognition from customer contracts.	The adoption of this guidance requires using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented or a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative effect adjustment to Accumulated Deficit as of the date of adoption. We adopted the guidance using the modified retrospective approach effective January 1, 2018 with no adjustment to Accumulated Deficit. We adopted the standard through the application of the portfolio approach. We selected a sample of customer contracts to assess under the guidance of the new standard that were characteristically representative of each portfolio. Upon completion of our review, the guidance did not result in a significant change to the timing of revenue recognition. We identified certain immaterial sales commissions, which represent costs of obtaining a contract, that should be capitalized as contract acquisition costs under the guidance and amortized to general and administration expense over the expected life of the customer contract. Based on the immateriality of these sales commissions, no adjustment to Accumulated Deficit nor the accounting of these costs was deemed necessary. See Note 3, Revenue Recognition for additional disclosure.



Standard	Description	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Accounting standards that are pending adoption
ASU 2017-12: Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)	Requires that an entity align its risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both financial and commodity risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements.	The adoption of this guidance affects the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the method of presenting hedge results, including the addition of a tabular disclosure related to the effect on the income statement of fair value and cash flow hedges and no longer measuring and reporting hedge ineffectiveness. This guidance is effective January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted.

ASU 2017-04: Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)	Requires that when an entity is performing its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test, it should compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount when calculating its impairment charge, noting that the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, if applicable, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when calculating its impairment charge.	As of December 31, 2017, we did not record a goodwill impairment charge related to our annual goodwill impairment test because at that time the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value. Upon adoption, if the carrying value of any of these reporting units exceeds the fair value when we perform a goodwill impairment test, we would record an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its fair value. This guidance is effective January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.

ASU 2016-02, as amended through January 2018: Leases (Topic 842)	Requires that a lessee recognize at the commencement date: a lease liability, which is the obligation of the lessee to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.	We are currently assessing the provisions of this guidance and evaluating the impact the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We are also in the process of aggregating lease documentation for review. The adoption of this ASU is expected to impact the balance sheet through the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms in excess of 12 months. This guidance is effective January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach with early adoption permitted.

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue



	Eastern		Western		Recycling		Other		Total Revenues
Collection	$	30,523	$	36,485	$	—	$	—	$	67,008
Landfill	5,960		14,540		—		—		20,500
Transfer	7,560		5,606		—		—		13,166
Customer solutions	—		—		—		15,169		15,169
Recycling	—		948		10,157		—		11,105
Organics	—		—		—		12,200		12,200
Transportation	—		5,824		—		685		6,509
Landfill gas-to-energy	462		1,336		—		—		1,798
Total revenues	$	44,505	$	64,739	$	10,157	$	28,054	$	147,455

Transferred at a point-in-time	$	191	$	367	$	7,257	$	357	$	8,172
Transferred over time	44,314		64,372		2,900		27,697		139,283
Total revenues	$	44,505	$	64,739	$	10,157	$	28,054	$	147,455

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Summary of Purchase Price Paid for Acquisitions

A summary of the purchase price paid for these acquisitions and the allocation of the purchase price for these acquisitions follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Purchase Price:
Cash paid for acquisitions	$	18,778		$	414
Working capital adjustment - preliminary	358			—
Holdbacks	172			46
Total	19,308			460
Allocated as follows:
Current assets	1,587			—
Building	5,578			—
Equipment	4,642			170
Intangible assets	2,700			262
Other liabilities, net	(1,276		)	(9		)
Deferred tax liability	(1,635		)	—
Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	11,596			423
Excess purchase price allocated to goodwill	$	7,712		$	37

Schedule of Unaudited Pro forma Combined Information

Unaudited pro forma combined information that shows our operational results as though each acquisition completed since the beginning of the prior fiscal year had occurred as of January 1, 2017 follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Revenue	$	147,854		$	140,149
Operating income	$	857		$	6,873
Net loss	$	(3,900	)	$	(47	)
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	42,370			41,584
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.09	)	$	—

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Activity and Balances Related to Goodwill by Operating Segment

A summary of the activity and balances related to goodwill by operating segment follows:



	December 31, 2017		Acquisitions		March 31, 2018
Eastern region (1)	$	19,192	$	6,008	$	25,200
Western region	89,369		1,704		91,073
Recycling	12,315		—		12,315
Other	1,729		—		1,729
Total	$	122,605	$	7,712	$	130,317


(1)	Includes a $1,635 goodwill adjustment for the tax treatment associated with the Complete acquisition. See Note 13, Income Taxes.

Summary of Intangible Assets by Intangible Asset Type

A summary of intangible assets by intangible asset type follows:



	Covenants Not-to-Compete			Client Lists			Total
Balance, March 31, 2018
Intangible assets	$	19,192		$	19,687		$	38,879
Less accumulated amortization	(17,025		)	(11,572		)	(28,597		)
	$	2,167		$	8,115		$	10,282



	Covenants Not-to-Compete			Client Lists			Total
Balance, December 31, 2017
Intangible assets	$	18,092		$	18,087		$	36,179
Less accumulated amortization	(16,851		)	(11,179		)	(28,030		)
	$	1,241		$	6,908		$	8,149

Summary of Intangible Amortization Expense Estimated

A summary of intangible amortization expense estimated for the five fiscal years following the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and thereafter follows:



Estimated Future Amortization Expense as of March 31, 2018
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2018	$	1,674
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2019	$	1,975
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2020	$	1,897
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2021	$	1,583
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2022	$	1,227
Thereafter	$	1,926

ACCRUED FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST CLOSURE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Changes to Accrued Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Liabilities

A summary of the changes to accrued final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	62,290		$	44,207
Obligations incurred	798			556
Revision in estimates (1)	1,492			—
Accretion expense	1,383			965
Obligations settled (2)	(297		)	(126		)
Ending balance	$	65,666		$	45,602


(1)	Relates to changes in estimates and assumptions associated with anticipated costs of future final capping, closure and post-closure activities at the Town of Southbridge, Massachusetts Landfill. See Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies and Note 11, Other Items and Charges for disclosure regarding the matter.


(2)	Includes amounts that are being processed through accounts payable as a part of our disbursements cycle.

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Components of Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases by Debt Instrument

A summary of long-term debt and capital leases by debt instrument follows:



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Senior Secured Credit Facility:
Revolving Credit Facility due October 2021; bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.75%	$	52,600	$	36,000
Term Loan B Facility due October 2023; bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%	345,625		346,500
Tax-Exempt Bonds:
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014 due December 2044 - fixed rate interest period through 2019; bearing interest at 3.75%	25,000		25,000
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2 due December 2044 - fixed rate interest period through 2026; bearing interest at 3.125%	15,000		15,000
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 due January 2025 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 5.25%	25,000		25,000
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1 due August 2035 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 5.125%	15,000		15,000
Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2013 due April 2036 - fixed rate interest period through 2018; bearing interest at 4.75%	16,000		16,000
Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013 due April 2029 - fixed rate interest period through 2019; bearing interest at 4.00%	11,000		11,000
Other:
Capital leases maturing through December 2107; bearing interest at up to 7.70%	6,713		5,595
Notes payable maturing through June 2027; bearing interest at up to 7.00%	2,522		2,585
Principal amount of long-term debt and capital leases	514,460		497,680
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (1)	14,489		15,178
Long-term debt and capital leases less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	499,971		482,502
Less—current maturities of long-term debt	5,037		4,926
	$	494,934	$	477,576


(1)	A summary of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs by debt instrument follows:



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Revolving Credit Facility	$	3,682	$	3,938
Term Loan B Facility (including unamortized discount of $1,424 and $1,482)	7,101		7,392
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014	987		1,034
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2	496		511
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3	581		603
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1	673		691
Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2013	565		573
Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013	404		436
	$	14,489	$	15,178

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Environmental Liability Associated with Potsdam

A summary of the changes to the environmental remediation liability associated with the Potsdam environmental remediation liability follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	5,758		$	5,866
Obligations settled	(6		)	—
Ending balance	$	5,752		$	5,866

North Country Environmental Services

The changes to the environmental remediation liability associated with the Southbridge Landfill are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	5,936		$	—
Accretion expense	39			—
Obligations settled (1)	(237		)	—
Ending balance	$	5,738		$	—


(1)	Includes amounts that are being processed through accounts payable as a part of our disbursements cycle.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Summary of Stock Option Activity

A summary of stock option activity follows:



	Stock Options (1)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, December 31, 2017	727		$	5.82
Granted	—		$	—
Exercised	(63	)	$	4.93
Forfeited	—		$	—
Outstanding, March 31, 2018	664		$	5.91	6.2	$	11,595
Exercisable, March 31, 2018	464		$	4.79	5.4	$	8,619
Unvested, March 31, 2018	240		$	9.16	8.0	$	3,413


(1)	Market-based performance stock options are included at the 100% attainment level. Attainment of the maximum performance targets and market achievements would result in the issuance of an additional 40 shares of Class A common stock currently included in unvested.

Summary of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Performance-based Stock Unit Activity

A summary of restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance stock unit activity follows:



	Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units (1)		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, December 31, 2017	1,091		$	9.81
Granted	201		$	24.96
Class A Common Stock Vested	(340	)	$	6.20
Forfeited	—		$	—
Outstanding, March 31, 2018	952		$	14.29	1.6	$	8,977
Unvested, March 31, 2018	1,402		$	14.56	1.6	$	12,914


(1)	Market-based performance stock unit grants are included at the 100% attainment level. Attainment of the maximum performance targets and market achievements would result in the issuance of an additional 450 shares of Class A common stock currently included in unvested.

Summary of Changes in Balances of Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

A summary of the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax follows:




	Marketable Securities			Interest Rate Swaps
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	18		$	166
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle	(18		)	—
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—			724
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			53
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	—			(209		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income	—			568
Balance, March 31, 2018	$	—		$	734

Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

A summary of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income					Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Interest rate swaps	$	53		$	69	Interest expense
	53			69		Loss before income taxes
	209			—		(Benefit) provision for income taxes
	$	(156	)	$	69	Net loss

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Summary of Numerator and Denominators Used in Computation of Earnings Per Share

A summary of the numerator and denominators used in the computation of earnings per share follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(3,910	)	$	(224	)
Denominators:
Number of shares outstanding, end of period:
Class A common stock	41,700			40,892
Class B common stock	988			988
Unvested restricted stock	(38		)	(88		)
Effect of weighted average shares outstanding	(280		)	(208		)
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	42,370			41,584
Anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares	2,105			2,683

OTHER ITEMS AND CHARGES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]

Environmental Exit Costs by Cost



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Charlton settlement charge (1)	$	1,216	$	—
Legal and transaction costs (2)	370		—
Southbridge Landfill closure charge	$	1,586	$	—


(1)	We established a reserve associated with the Town of Charlton's claim against us. See Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies for additional disclosure.


(2)	We incurred legal and other transaction costs associated with various matters as part of the Southbridge Landfill closure. See Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies for additional disclosur

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value

Summaries of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis follow:



	Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2018 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	1,055	$	—
Restricted investment securities - landfill closure	1,197		—		—
Total	$	1,197	$	1,055	$	—



	Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2017 Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Restricted investment securities - landfill closure	$	1,220	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swaps	—		401
Total	$	1,220	$	401	$	—
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	123	$	—

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018



Segment	Outside revenues		Inter-company revenue			Depreciation and amortization		Operating income (loss)			Total assets
Eastern	$	44,505	$	11,306		$	5,979	$	(1,812	)	$	174,860
Western	64,739		18,631			8,032		7,194			342,285
Recycling	10,157		1,185			1,054		(5,167		)	47,065
Other	28,054		317			918		623			67,165
Eliminations	—		(31,439		)	—		—			—
Total	$	147,455	$	—		$	15,983	$	838		$	631,375

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017



Segment	Outside revenues		Inter-company revenue			Depreciation and amortization		Operating income (loss)		Total assets
Eastern	$	38,686	$	9,522		$	5,404	$	21	$	197,817
Western	54,144		15,781			6,604		4,089		324,262
Recycling	16,635		(244		)	1,004		1,583		50,138
Other	24,337		374			837		871		49,032
Eliminations	—		(25,433		)	—		—		—
Total	$	133,802	$	—		$	13,849	$	6,564	$	621,249

Summary of Revenues Attributable to Services Provided by Company

A summary of our revenues attributable to services provided follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Collection	$	66,475	$	59,838
Disposal	40,234		31,281
Power generation	1,799		1,352
Processing	1,420		1,660
Solid waste operations	109,928		94,131
Organics	12,200		9,214
Customer solutions	15,170		13,822
Recycling	10,157		16,635
Total revenues	$	147,455	$	133,802

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)	3 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)	Mar. 31, 2018 regional_operating_segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of regional operating segments	2

REVENUE RECOGNITION - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
REVENUE RECOGNITION - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 147,455,000	$ 133,802,000
Revenue recognized	0
Gross receivables from contracts	66,429		$ 66,227
Contract liabilities	2,567,000		$ 1,823,000
Adjustments \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (1,468,000)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - Additional Information (Details) - transfer_station	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of finite lived intangible assets	5 years
Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of finite lived intangible assets	10 years
Eastern \| Collection Business
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of transfer stations acquired	1
Western \| Solid Waste Collection
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of transfer stations acquired		1

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - Summary of Purchase Price Paid for Acquisitions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Allocated as follows:
Excess purchase price allocated to goodwill	$ 130,317		$ 122,605
Transfer Stations Acquisition
Purchase Price:
Cash paid for acquisitions	18,778	$ 414
Working capital adjustment - preliminary	358	0
Holdbacks	172	46
Total	19,308	460
Allocated as follows:
Current assets	1,587	0
Building	5,578	0
Equipment	4,642	170
Intangible assets	2,700	262
Other liabilities, net	(1,276)	(9)
Deferred tax liability	(1,635)	0
Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	11,596	423
Excess purchase price allocated to goodwill	$ 7,712	$ 37

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - Schedule of Unaudited Pro forma Combined Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 147,854	$ 140,149
Operating income	857	6,873
Net loss	$ (3,900)	$ (47)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	42,370	41,584
Basic and diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.00

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Schedule of Activity and Balances Related to Goodwill by Operating Segment (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 122,605
Acquisitions	7,712
Goodwill, ending balance	130,317
Eastern
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	19,192
Acquisitions	6,008
Goodwill, ending balance	25,200
Eastern \| Complete Acquisition
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions	1,635
Western
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	89,369
Acquisitions	1,704
Goodwill, ending balance	91,073
Recycling
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	12,315
Acquisitions	0
Goodwill, ending balance	12,315
Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,729
Acquisitions	0
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 1,729

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Intangible Assets by Intangible Asset Type (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 38,879	$ 36,179
Less accumulated amortization	(28,597)	(28,030)
Intangible assets, net	10,282	8,149
Covenants Not-to-Compete
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	19,192	18,092
Less accumulated amortization	(17,025)	(16,851)
Intangible assets, net	2,167	1,241
Client Lists
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	19,687	18,087
Less accumulated amortization	(11,572)	(11,179)
Intangible assets, net	$ 8,115	$ 6,908

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible amortization expenses	$ 568	$ 487

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Intangible Amortization Expense Estimated (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2018	$ 1,674
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2019	1,975
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2020	1,897
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2021	1,583
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2022	1,227
Thereafter	$ 1,926

ACCRUED FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST CLOSURE - Summary of Changes to Accrued Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 62,290	$ 44,207
Obligations incurred	798	556
Revision in estimates	1,492	0
Accretion expense	1,383	965
Obligations settled	(297)	(126)
Ending balance	$ 65,666	$ 45,602

LONG-TERM DEBT - Summary of Components of Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases by Debt Instrument (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 514,460	$ 497,680
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	14,489	15,178
Long-term debt and capital leases less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	499,971	482,502
Less—current maturities of long-term debt	5,037	4,926
Non current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligation	494,934	477,576
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	52,600	36,000
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 3,682	3,938
Basis spread on variable rate	2.75%
Secured Debt \| Term Loan B Facility due October 2023; bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 345,625	346,500
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 7,101	7,392
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Unamortized discount	$ 1,424	1,482
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014 due December 2044 - fixed rate interest period through 2019; bearing interest at 3.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	25,000	25,000
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 987	1,034
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	3.75%
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2 due December 2044 - fixed rate interest period through 2026; bearing interest at 3.125%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 15,000	15,000
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 496	511
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	3.125%
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 due January 2025 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 5.25%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 25,000	25,000
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 581	603
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	5.25%
Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1 due August 2035 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 5.125%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 15,000	15,000
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 673	691
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	5.125%
Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2013 due April 2036 - fixed rate interest period through 2018; bearing interest at 4.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 16,000	16,000
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 565	573
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	4.75%
Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013 due April 2029 - fixed rate interest period through 2019; bearing interest at 4.00%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 11,000	11,000
Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ 404	436
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	4.00%
Capital leases maturing through December 2107; bearing interest at up to 7.70%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 6,713	5,595
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	7.70%
Notes payable maturing through June 2027; bearing interest at up to 7.00%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt and capital lease	$ 2,522	$ 2,585
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	7.00%

LONG-TERM DEBT - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) interest_rate_derviative	Apr. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment	$ 0	$ 472,000
Cash Flow Hedging \| Other Current Assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative asset fair value	103,000
Cash Flow Hedging \| Other Noncurrent Assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative asset fair value	$ 953,000
Cash Flow Hedging \| Interest Rate Derivative
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate derivatives entered into \| interest_rate_derviative		3
Notional amount		$ 60,000,000
Weighted average percentage rate paid		1.95%
Cash Flow Hedging \| Interest Rate Derivative \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Floor interest rate received		1.00%
Cash Flow Hedging \| Interest Rate Derivative - February 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 35,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging \| Interest Rate Derivative - February 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount		25,000
Unsecured Debt \| VEDA Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, interest rate during period	4.625%
Unsecured Debt \| Revenue Bonds Series Two Thousand Five Rone Due Two Thousand Twenty Five
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		3,600,000
Unsecured Debt \| Revenue Bonds Series Two Thousand Five Rtwo Due Two Thousand Twenty Five
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		21,400,000
Unsecured Debt \| Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 (FAME Bonds 2005R-3)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		$ 25,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate percentage		5.25%
Subsequent Event \| Unsecured Debt \| Finance Authority Of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$ 15,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate percentage			4.375%
Subsequent Event \| Unsecured Debt \| VEDA Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$ 16,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate percentage			4.75%

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information (Detail)		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 26, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jan. 29, 2016	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($)	May 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 20, 2000 a
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Reserve for probable loss			$ 1,216,000		$ 0
Southbridge Landfill
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Risk free interest percentage rate			2.60%
Reserve for probable loss			$ 1,216
Potsdam Environmental Remediation Liability
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Risk free interest percentage rate			1.50%
Scrap yard and solid waste transfer station (in acres) \| a									25
Undiscounted costs preferred remedies							$ 12,130,000	$ 10,219,000
Remediation activities, participant share percentage						15.00%
21E Settlement and Water System Construction Funding Agreement \| Bonds
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Bond period	20 years
Maximum \| Southbridge Landfill \| Scenario, Forecast
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Future cash payments		$ 2,199,000
Maximum \| 21E Settlement and Water System Construction Funding Agreement \| Bonds
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of costs	$ 5,000,000
Notice of Intent to Sue under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss				$ 5,000,000
Notice of Intent to Sue under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act \| MADEP and Casella Waste System
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss				$ 10,000,000

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Southbridge Landfill Environmental Remediation Liability (Details) - Southbridge Landfill - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 5,936	$ 0
Accretion expense	39	0
Obligations settled	(237)	0
Ending balance	$ 5,738	$ 0

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Potsdam Environmental Remediation Liability (Detail) - Potsdam Environmental Remediation Liability - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 5,758	$ 5,866
Obligations settled	(6)	0
Ending balance	$ 5,752	$ 5,866

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Stock Options
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 124	$ 171
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	1,153
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	349
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance-Based Stock Units
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,930	1,058
Restricted Stock Awards \| Non-Employee Director
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Options vesting period	3 years
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Total fair value of other stock awards vested	$ 8,876
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$ 4,467
Market-based Performance Stock Options
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 26.02
Risk free interest rate	2.39%
Expected volatility	32.70%
Dividend yield	0.00%
Maximum \| Performance-Based Stock Units
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$ 8,252
Weighted Average \| Stock Options
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period	6 months
Weighted Average \| Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period	1 year 8 months 4 days
Weighted Average \| Performance-Based Stock Units
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period	1 year 6 months
2016 Plan
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Options granted period	10 years
2016 Plan \| Minimum
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Options vesting period	1 year
2016 Plan \| Maximum
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Options vesting period	4 years
Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 23	$ 28
Class A Common Stock \| 2016 Plan
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)			2,250
Number of shares available for future grant (in shares)	1,642,000
Class A Common Stock \| 2006 Incentive Plan
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]
Common stock, additional authorized shares (in shares)			2,723,000

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Stock Options
Beginning balance, outstanding (in shares)	727
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercised (in shares)	(63)
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Ending balance, outstanding (in shares)	664
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	464
Unvested at end of period (in shares)	240
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Beginning balance, Outstanding (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 5.82
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0.00
Exercised (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	4.93
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0.00
Beginning balance, Outstanding (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	5.91
Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	4.79
Unvested at end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 9.16
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) and Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding	6 years 2 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	5 years 5 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Unvested	8 years
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at end of period \| $	$ 11,595
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at end of period \| $	8,619
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Unvested at end of period \| $	$ 3,413
Market-based Performance Stock Options
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) and Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Percentage of vesting of share-based compensation awards	100.00%
Issuance of additional shares (in shares)	40

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Performance-based Stock Unit Activity (Detail) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance-Based Stock Units
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	1,091
Granted (in shares)	201
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	952
Unvested, at end of period (in shares)	1,402
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 9.81
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	24.96
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	0.00
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	14.29
Unvested at end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 14.56
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) and Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding	1 year 7 months 3 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Unvested	1 year 6 months 25 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at end of period \| $	$ 8,977
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Unvested at end of period \| $	$ 12,914
Performance-Based Stock Units
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) and Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Performance-based stock units, percentage of attainment level	100.00%
Class A Common Stock \| Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance-Based Stock Units
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units
Class A Common Stock Vested (in shares)	(340)
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Class A Common Stock Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 6.20
Class A Common Stock \| Performance-Based Stock Units
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) and Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Number of performance-based stock units (in shares)	450

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of Changes in Balances of Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (37,862)
Ending balance	(38,817)
Marketable Securities
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	18
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle		$ (18)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0
Ending balance	0
Interest Rate Swaps
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	166
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle		$ 0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	724
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	53
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(209)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	568
Ending balance	$ 734

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 6,454	$ 6,450
Loss before income taxes	5,498	208
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	1,588	(16)
Net loss	(3,910)	(224)
Interest rate swaps \| Interest Rate Swaps \| Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	53	69
Loss before income taxes	53	69
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	209	0
Net loss	$ 156	$ (69)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Numerator:
Net loss	$ (3,910)	$ (224)
Number of shares outstanding, end of period:
Unvested restricted stock (in shares)	(38)	(88)
Effect of weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	(280)	(208)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	42,370	41,584
Antidilutive potentially issuable shares (in shares)	2,105	2,683
Class A Common Stock
Number of shares outstanding, end of period:
Common stock, outstanding shares (in shares)	41,700	40,892	41,298
Class B Common Stock
Number of shares outstanding, end of period:
Common stock, outstanding shares (in shares)	988	988	988

OTHER ITEMS AND CHARGES (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
OTHER ITEMS AND CHARGES (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
Contract settlement charge	$ 2,100,000	$ 0
Charlton settlement charge	1,216,000	0
Legal Fees	370,000	0
Southbridge Landfill closure charge	1,586,000	0
Project development charge	$ 311,000	$ 0

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Restricted investment securities - landfill closure	$ 1,197	$ 1,220
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	0	0
Total	1,197	1,220
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) \| Restricted investment securities - landfill closure
Assets:
Restricted investment securities - landfill closure	1,197	1,220
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	1,055	401
Total	1,055	401
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives		123
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Restricted investment securities - landfill closure
Assets:
Restricted investment securities - landfill closure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Interest rate swaps	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Restricted investment securities - landfill closure
Assets:
Restricted investment securities - landfill closure	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of revolver debt		$ 52,600,000
Fair Value \| Fixed Rate Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of fixed rate debt		108,003,000
Fair Value \| Term Loan B Facility due October 2023; bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% \| Secured Debt \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of fixed rate debt		345,625,000
Carrying Value \| Fixed Rate Bonds
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of fixed rate debt		107,000,000
Carrying Value \| Term Loan B Facility due October 2023; bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50% \| Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of fixed rate debt		$ 347,353,000
Subsequent Event \| Finance Authority Of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-2 \| Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 15,000,000

SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 147,455	$ 133,802
Depreciation and amortization	15,983	13,849
Operating income (loss)	838	6,564
Total assets	631,375	621,249	$ 614,949
Operating Segments \| Eastern
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	44,505	38,686
Depreciation and amortization	5,979	5,404
Operating income (loss)	(1,812)	21
Total assets	174,860	197,817
Operating Segments \| Western
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	64,739	54,144
Depreciation and amortization	8,032	6,604
Operating income (loss)	7,194	4,089
Total assets	342,285	324,262
Operating Segments \| Recycling
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,157	16,635
Depreciation and amortization	1,054	1,004
Operating income (loss)	(5,167)	1,583
Total assets	47,065	50,138
Operating Segments \| Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	28,054	24,337
Depreciation and amortization	918	837
Operating income (loss)	623	871
Total assets	67,165	49,032
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(31,439)	(25,433)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Operating income (loss)	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Eliminations \| Eastern
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	11,306	9,522
Eliminations \| Western
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	18,631	15,781
Eliminations \| Recycling
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,185	(244)
Eliminations \| Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 317	$ 374

SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Revenues Attributable to Services Provided by Company (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 147,455	$ 133,802
Collection
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	66,475	59,838
Disposal
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	40,234	31,281
Power generation
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	1,799	1,352
Processing
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	1,420	1,660
Solid waste operations
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	109,928	94,131
Organics
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	12,200	9,214
Customer solutions
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	15,170	13,822
Recycling
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 10,157	$ 16,635

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes	$ (1,187)	$ (74)
Deferred tax liabilities, goodwill	1,635
Federal net operating loss carryforwards			$ 101,200
Tax credit carryforward amount	3,804
Refundable amount	1,902
Current income tax expense (benefit)	475
Deferred income taxes	475
Goodwill
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred income taxes	$ (1,635)

REVENUE RECOGNITION - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	$ 147,455
Transferred at a point-in-time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	8,172
Transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	139,283
Collection
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	67,008
Landfill
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	20,500
Transfer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	13,166
Customer solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	15,169
Recycling
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	11,105
Organics
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	12,200
Transportation
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	6,509
Landfill gas-to-energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	1,798
Eastern
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	44,505
Eastern \| Transferred at a point-in-time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	191
Eastern \| Transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	44,314
Eastern \| Collection
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	30,523
Eastern \| Landfill
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	5,960
Eastern \| Transfer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	7,560
Eastern \| Customer solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Eastern \| Recycling
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Eastern \| Organics
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Eastern \| Transportation
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Eastern \| Landfill gas-to-energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	462
Western
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	64,739
Western \| Transferred at a point-in-time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	367
Western \| Transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	64,372
Western \| Collection
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	36,485
Western \| Landfill
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	14,540
Western \| Transfer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	5,606
Western \| Customer solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Western \| Recycling
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	948
Western \| Organics
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Western \| Transportation
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	5,824
Western \| Landfill gas-to-energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	1,336
Recycling
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	10,157
Recycling \| Transferred at a point-in-time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	7,257
Recycling \| Transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	2,900
Recycling \| Collection
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Recycling \| Landfill
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Recycling \| Transfer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Recycling \| Customer solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Recycling \| Recycling
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	10,157
Recycling \| Organics
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Recycling \| Transportation
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Recycling \| Landfill gas-to-energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	28,054
Other \| Transferred at a point-in-time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	357
Other \| Transferred over time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	27,697
Other \| Collection
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Other \| Landfill
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Other \| Transfer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Other \| Customer solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	15,169
Other \| Recycling
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	0
Other \| Organics
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	12,200
Other \| Transportation
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	685
Other \| Landfill gas-to-energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers	$ 0