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Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Axis] Disposal Solid Waste Operations Disposal [Member] Solid Waste Operations Disposal [Member] Deferred tax liability Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items] Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal obligation, undiscounted Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Undiscounted Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Undiscounted Common stock, additional authorized shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized Vermont Bonds Vermont Bonds [Member] Vermont Bonds. Federal effect of change in state valuation allowance Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Payments on landfill operating lease contracts Payments For Landfill Operating Lease The cash outflow associated with landfill operating agreements consisting of up-front or one-time payments, future minimum rental payments, including success/expansion fees, other direct costs and capping, closure and post closure costs. 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Total lease payments Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due ASSETS Assets: Assets [Abstract] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax Restricted Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Issuances of Class A common stock Shares Issued, Value, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Operating cash flows for operating leases Operating Lease, Payments Fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Three Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-2 ("FAME Bonds 2015R-2") due August 2035 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 4.375% Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-2 due August 2035 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; 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bearing interest at 2.875% Revenue Bonds Series Two Thousand Fourteen Due Two Thousand Forty Four [Member] Revenue Bonds Series Two Thousand Fourteen Due Two Thousand Forty Four [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Tuck-in Solid Waste Collection Business Tuck-in Solid Waste Collection Business [Member] Tuck-in Solid Waste Collection Business [Member] Facility term Debt Instrument, Term Obligations incurred Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies, Obligations Incurred Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies, Obligations Incurred Site Contingency [Line Items] Site Contingency [Line Items] Measurement Input Type [Domain] Measurement Input Type [Domain] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Gross receivables from contracts Contract with Customer, Asset, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Legal and transaction costs Legal Fees Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract] Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract] Interest income Interest Income, Other Weighted Average Weighted Average [Member] Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense Other comprehensive loss, reclassification adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, before Tax Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Performance Stock Units Performance Stock Unit [Member] Performance stock unit. Sale of stock, number of shares issued Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction Proceeds from property insurance settlement Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense, Current Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Market-based Performance Stock Units Market-based Performance Stock Units [Member] Market-based Performance Stock Units [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Accrued income tax expense Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued Reduction of goodwill Goodwill, Transfers Common stock, votes (in votes per share) Vote for each share held (in votes per share) Stockholders' Equity, Votes per Share Held Stockholders' Equity, Votes per Share Held Common stock, authorized shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Corporate Entities Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Number of shares available for future grant Stock available for distribution under stock purchase plan (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Other accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Non-deductible officer compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Officer Compensation Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Officer Compensation Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 ("FAME Bonds 2005R-3") due January 2025 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 5.25% Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 (FAME Bonds 2005R-3) [Member] Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 (FAME Bonds 2005R-3) [Member] Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance for Credit Losses Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Other non-cash considerations Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Other Derivatives and Hedging Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Additional shares issued Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Contingent Liabilities and Legal Proceedings Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Summary of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Stock Unit Activity Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block] Summary of Revenue Attributable to Services Provided by Company Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block] Accounts receivable - trade, allowance for credit losses Balance at beginning of period Balance at end of period Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Southbridge Landfill Southbridge Landfill [Member] Southbridge landfill. Issuance of Class A common stock - acquisition Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two State State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] Aggregate intrinsic value, unvested Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Other Commitments [Line Items] Other Commitments [Line Items] 21E Settlement and Water System Construction Funding Agreement 21E Settlement and Water System Construction Funding Agreement [Member] 21E Settlement and Water System Construction Funding Agreement [Member] Schedule of Lease Costs and Other Lease Information Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Including Current Maturities Fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Other non-current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Transfer Transfer [Member] Transfer [Member] Net income Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Total assets Total assets Assets RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Less discount, net Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Discount Accumulated other comprehensive loss, interest rate swaps, tax benefit (provision) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Financial Liability, Fair Value Option, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax Weighted average grant price, unvested, ending balance (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Unvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Unvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Finance Leases Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract] Collection Solid Waste Operations Collection [Member] Solid Waste Operations Collection [Member] Self-Insurance Liabilities and Related Costs Unpaid Policy Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] Credit Loss [Abstract] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Concentrations of Credit Risk Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] Environmental Remediation Site [Domain] Environmental Remediation Site [Domain] Refinanced Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility due October 2021 [Member] Revolving Credit Facility due October 2021 [Member] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] Restricted assets Restricted investment securities - landfill closure Restricted Cash and Investments, Noncurrent Expected volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Multiemployer Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Less: interest expense Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical 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Information [Abstract] Landfill post-closure cost Asset Retirement Obligation, Cash Paid to Settle Decrease in valuation allowance Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount Additional Paid-In Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Inventory Inventory, Gross Term Loan B Facility Term Facility due October 2023 (Term Loan B Facility) [Member] Term Facility due October 2023 (Term Loan B Facility) [Member] Notes payable maturing through June 2027; bearing interest at a weighted average of 3.5% Notes Payable [Member] Notes Payable [Member] Interest expense Finance Lease, Interest Expense Southbridge Landfill insurance recovery for investing activities Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Transferred From Operating Activities to Investing Activities Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Transferred From Operating Activities to Investing Activities Machinery and equipment Machinery and Equipment [Member] Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Investments under equity method of accounting Equity Method Investments Common stock, outstanding shares Beginning balance (in shares) Ending balance (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Related Party Related Party [Member] Related Party [Member] Income before income taxes Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share) Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Common stock, authorized shares Common Stock, Shares Authorized Dilutive effect of stock options and stock awards (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Property, plant and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Deferred Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Transfer Stations Acquisition Transfer Stations Acquisition [Member] Transfer Stations Acquisition [Member] State State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Unrealized loss resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Change in Fair Value, before Reclassification and 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Estimates and Assumptions Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units Stock Options, Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units And Restricted Stock [Member] Stock options, performance stock units, restricted stock units and restricted stock. Casella Waste Systems and Town of Southbridge, Massachusetts Casella Waste Systems and Town of Southbridge, Massachusetts [Member] Casella Waste Systems and Town of Southbridge, Massachusetts Notes payable Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Notes Payable Amount of notes payable incurred by the acquirer as part of consideration transferred in a business combination. Non-cash expense from acquisition activities and other items Non-Cash Expense From Acquisition Activities and Other Items The aggregate amount of noncash expense associated with acquisition activities and other items recognized during the accounting period that are not disclosed separately. Generally, these items are either unusual or infrequent, but not both. Scenario [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Additions to property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Next matching contribution Defined Contribution Plan, Second Matching Contribution [Member] Defined Contribution Plan, Second Matching Contribution GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Client Lists Customer Lists [Member] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Domain] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Domain] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Net operating loss carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Domestic Expense from acquisition activities and other items Expense From Acquisition And Financing Costs And Other Items The aggregate amount of expense associated with acquisition activities and other items recognized during the accounting period that are not disclosed separately. Generally, these items are either unusual or infrequent, but not both. 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Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Landfills Landfill [Member] Inter-company revenue Intersegment Eliminations [Member] Less—unamortized discount and debt issuance costs Debt Issuance Costs, Net Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Less: interest expense Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Credit Facility Credit Facility [Member] Credit Facility [Member] Letter of credit fees Letters Of Credit Fees Amount of letters of credit fees included in interest expense. Additional revolver capacity Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity Amount of additional optional borrowing capacity under the credit facility. Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Schedule of Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Table] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] Sale of Stock [Axis] Sale of Stock [Axis] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Goodwill Excess purchase price to be allocated to goodwill Goodwill, beginning balance Goodwill, ending balance Goodwill Principal payments on debt Repayment of Long-term Debt, Long-term Lease Obligation, and Capital Security Other comprehensive loss, net of tax Hedging activity Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Net operating loss carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards Timing of Transfer of Good or Service [Axis] Timing of Transfer of Good or Service [Axis] Non-current assets acquired through long-term obligations Fair Value of Assets Acquired Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal obligation Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation Aggregate principal amount issued Debt Instrument, Face Amount Buildings and improvements Building and Building Improvements [Member] Other current assets Other Assets, Current Schedule of Activity and Balances Related to Goodwill by Reporting Segment Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Contract liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Accrued expenses and reserves Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals Accounting Standards Update Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List] Granted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Estimated Future Amortization Expense Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Weighted average common shares outstanding Diluted weighted average shares outstanding Diluted weighted average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Letter of Credit Letter of Credit [Member] Environmental Remediation Liabilities Environmental Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Organics Organics [Member] Organics. Operating segments Number of Operating Segments Forfeited or canceled (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount on long-term debt Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Other accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities [Member] Other Accrued Liabilities [Member] Unsecured Debt Unsecured Debt [Member] Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities General business and state tax credit carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Other Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period Unrecognized Tax Benefits Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Two Purchase Price: Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired [Abstract] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Sale of stock, price per share (in dollars per share) Sale of Stock, Price Per Share Bonds Bonds [Member] Earnings per Share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Attainment level percentage Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage Obligations settled Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Payments Proceeds from unregistered sale of Class A Common Stock Proceeds from Sale of Common Stock Proceeds from Sale of Common Stock Common stock, issued shares Common Stock, Shares, Issued Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Development project charge Noncash Project Abandonment Costs Lease liability balance Operating Lease, Liability Net deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Total stockholders' equity Beginning balance Ending balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Interest accretion on landfill and environmental remediation liabilities Accretion Expense, Including Asset Retirement Obligations Total Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Accrued payroll and related expenses Employee-related Liabilities, Current Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Restricted Stock Units Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Customer solutions Customer Solutions [Member] Customer solutions. 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Issuance of Class A common stock - acquisition (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions Forecast Forecast [Member] Diluted earnings per common share: Numerator: Earnings per common share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Depletion of landfill operating lease obligations Depletion Of Landfill Operating Lease Obligations This element represents the noncash expense charged against earnings to recognize the depletion of landfill operating lease obligations. 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equity offering Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward] Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Schedule of Environmental Remedial Liability Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site [Table Text Block] Net leverage ratio Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Net Leverage Ratio Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance, Net Leverage Ratio Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds [Member] Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Intangible assets, net Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Weighted average fair value of market-based performance (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value BASIS OF PRESENTATION Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block] Schedule of Estimated Minimum Future Finance Lease Obligations Finance Lease, Liability, Fiscal Year Maturity [Table Text Block] Interest expense Total interest expense Interest Expense Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Sale of stock, net proceeds Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Schedule of Benefit for Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Schedule of Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Table Text Block] Environmental Remediation Site [Axis] Environmental Remediation Site [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Transferred at a point-in-time Transferred at Point in Time [Member] Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingency, Undiscounted, to be Paid, Year Three Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] Fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Two Obligations settled Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Settled Operating lease right-of-use assets expense Operating Lease, Expense Loss from derivative instrument Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax Site Contingency [Table] Site Contingency [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Landfills Landfills [Member] Landfills. Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding Timing of Transfer of Good or Service [Domain] Timing of Transfer of Good or Service [Domain] Interest rate swap settlements Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Settlements, before Reclassification and Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Settlements, before Reclassification and Tax Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE COSTS Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Purchase Price Paid for Acquisitions Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block] Summary of Quarterly Financial Information Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block] Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash Flow, Operating and Financing Activities, Lessee [Abstract] Cash Flow, Operating and Financing Activities, Lessee [Abstract] Accrued expenses, contract liabilities and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Axis] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Containers Containers [Member] Variable lease cost Variable Lease, Cost State income taxes, net of federal benefit Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Amended And Restated Nineteen Ninety Seven Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member] Amended And Restated Nineteen Ninety Seven Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member] Hourly employees Hourly Employee [Member] Hourly Employee Federal Domestic Tax Authority [Member] Letters of credit Outstanding irrevocable letters of credit totaling Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount Current maturities of debt Less—current maturities of debt Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Revenue Recognition Revenue [Policy Text Block] Revisions in estimates Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Revision in Estimates Contingent consideration and holdbacks Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Line Items] Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items] Interest expense on long-term debt and finance leases Interest Expense, Debt, Excluding Amortization Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Surety bond Surety Bonds Amount of surety bonds that are available for the future payment of landfill capping, closure and post-closure obligations. Operating lease liabilities, less current portion Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Four 2016 Incentive Plan 2016 Incentive Plan [Member] 2016 Incentive Plan CURRENT ASSETS: Assets, Current [Abstract] Power generation Solid Waste Operations Power Generation [Member] Solid Waste Operations Power Generation [Member] Uncertain tax positions, penalties Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued Amortization expense Amortization Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Unregistered Sale Unregistered Sale [Member] Unregistered Sale Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs Accrued Capping, Closure, Post-closure and Environmental Costs Expected dividend yield Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Documents Incorporated by Reference Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block] Schedule of Difference in Benefit for Income Taxes Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year One Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] City Area Code City Area Code Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Term Loan A Facility due May 2023 ("Term Loan Facility"); 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bearing interest at 4.625% Long Term Revenue Bond Series Two Thousand Thirteen Due Two Thousand Thirty Six [Member] Long Term Revenue Bond Series Two Thousand Thirteen Due Two Thousand Thirty Six [Member] Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Excluding Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Exercised (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Summary of Restricted Assets Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block] Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1 ("FAME Bonds 2015R-1") due August 2035 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 5.125% Finance Authority Of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1 [Member] Finance Authority Of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1 [Member] Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Resource Solutions Resource Solutions Operations [Member] Resource Solutions Operations Summary of Stock Option Activity Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block] Number of operation and management agreements entered into Number of Landfill Operation and Management Agreements Entered Into Number of Landfill Operation and Management Agreements Entered Into New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2020 ("New York Bonds 2020") due September 2050 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at 2.750% Revenue Bonds Series 2020 due September 2050 [Member] Revenue Bonds Series 2020 due September 2050 Amount awarded to other party Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party Restricted Stock Awards Restricted Stock Awards [Member] Restricted Stock Awards [Member] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Rebate for Recycled or Returned Organic Materials Rebate, Recycled or Returned Organic Materials [Member] Rebate, Recycled or Returned Organic Materials Total deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward] Proceeds from sale of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Multiemployer Plans Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Withdrawal costs - multiemployer pension plan Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Effect of weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic Maximum exposure automobile plan per individual event Maximum Exposure Self Insured Maximum exposure per individual event. Goodwill impairment incurred Goodwill, Impairment Loss Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $2,333 and $1,468, respectively Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Total lease payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid Other Deferred Tax Assets, Other Uncertain tax positions, accrued interest Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share) Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic Recycle Rewards Inc Recycle Rewards Inc [Member] Recycle Rewards Inc [Member] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Axis] Income benefit associated with stock-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Exercise of Option, Tax Benefit Estimate of inflation rate Inflation Rate Estimated inflation rate. Basic earnings per common share: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other expense (income): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Eastern Eastern Region [Member] Eastern region. MADEP Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) and Casella Waste Systems [Member] Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) and Casella Waste Systems [Member] Other comprehensive loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Thereafter Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingency, Undiscounted, to be Paid, after Year Five Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] ACCOUNTING CHANGES Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block] Litigation Case [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Unrecognized tax benefit net of federal benefit on state issue Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Additional issuance if performance targets met (in shares) Additional Shares Issued Maximum Attainment Level Additional shares of Class A Common Stock potentially issuable if maximum attainment levels are met. Entity File Number Entity File Number Public Stock Offering Public Stock Offering [Member] Public Stock Offering [Member] Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases (years) Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Buildings Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Buildings Recovery on insurance settlement Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded from Other Party Stock-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense Marketable Securities AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Parent [Member] Number of plaintiffs Loss Contingency, Number of Plaintiffs Western Western Region [Member] Western region. Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Denominator: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Document Annual Report Document Annual Report Proceeds from debt borrowings Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt and Capital Securities, Net Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Debt instrument, interest rate during period Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period Business Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013 ("New Hampshire Bonds") due April 2029 - fixed rate interest period through 2029; bearing interest at 2.95% Revenue Bond Series Two Thousand Thirteen Due Two Thousand Twenty Nine [Member] Revenue Bond Series Two Thousand Thirteen Due Two Thousand Twenty Nine [Member] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Issuances of Class A common stock (in shares) Shares Issued, Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Granted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table] Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table] Defined Contribution Plan, Matching Contribution Hierarchy [Domain] Defined Contribution Plan, Matching Contribution Hierarchy [Domain] Defined Contribution Plan, Matching Contribution Hierarchy Other Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Closure and Post Closure Costs Closure And Post Closure Costs [Member] Closure and Post-closure costs. Interest expense Interest Expense [Member] Collection and Transfer Business Collection Business [Member] Collection Business [Member] Solid Waste Collection Business Solid Waste Collection Business [Member] Solid Waste Collection Business [Member] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Unvested, ending balance (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Unvested, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Unvested, Number Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Number of businesses acquired Number of Businesses Acquired Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Reductions resulting from lapse of statute of limitations Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations Fixed lease cost Operating Lease, Cost Other liabilities, net Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Axis] General and administration General and Administrative Expense Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract] Antidilutive potentially issuable shares (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Floor interest rate Derivative, Floor Interest Rate Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases (years) Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Intangible assets, useful life Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Grantee Status [Domain] Grantee Status [Domain] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Interest expense, net Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net Interest Rate Derivative Interest Rate Contract [Member] Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Lease liability balance Finance leases maturing through December 2107; bearing interest at a weighted average of 4.2% Finance Lease, Liability Other income Other Nonoperating Income Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, before Tax, Attributable to Parent Intangible assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Tax credit carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards Stock Options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Accumulated depreciation and amortization Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Thereafter Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five Fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingency, Undiscounted, to be Paid, Year Two New Hampshire Bonds New Hampshire Bonds [Member] New Hampshire Bonds [Member] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Stock issued under stock purchase plan (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans Estimated possible loss Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Reconciliation of Expected Aggregate Non-inflated, Undiscounted Environmental Remediation Liability to Amount Recognized in Statement of Financial Position Schedule of Reconciliation of Expected Undiscounted Liability To Actual Liability [Table Text Block] Reconciliation of the environmental remediation liability to the undiscounted environmental remediation liability as of the latest balance sheet date. Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] DEBT Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block] Components of Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Rolling stock Rolling Stock [Member] Rolling Stock [Member] Fixed Rate Bonds Fixed Rate Bonds [Member] Fixed rate bonds. Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Remaining capacity Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Issuance of Class A common stock - equity offering (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Tax effect related to items of other comprehensive loss Income tax benefit related to items in other comprehensive loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Number of acres composing solid waste transfer station Scrap Yard And Solid Waste Transfer Station Acreage of scrap yard owned by WSI. Intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Schedule of Capital Leased Assets [Table] Schedule of Capital Leased Assets [Table] Unvested restricted stock (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares, Restricted Stock Additions - charged to expense Accounts Receivable, Credit Loss Expense (Reversal) Environmental remediation charge Environmental Costs Recognized, Recovery Credited to Expense Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Schedule of Estimated Minimum Future Operating Lease Obligations Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Ontario County, New York Class Action Litigation Ontario County, New York Class Action Litigation [Member] Ontario County, New York Class Action Litigation Basis of Accounting Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic weighted average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basis spread on variable rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Cash Flow Hedging Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Carrying Value Reported Value Measurement [Member] Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer REVENUE RECOGNITION Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Shareholders' Equity and Share-based Payments [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Remediation activities, participant share percentage Percentage Participation in Onsite Remediation Activities Percentage participation in onsite remediation activities. Inventory Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Benefit for income taxes Benefit for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Future Maturities of Debt Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block] Title of Individual [Domain] Title of Individual [Domain] Southbridge Landfill closure charge, net Southbridge Landfill closure charge, net Landfill Closure (Settlement) Charge, Net The aggregate (recovery) charge associated with the closure of a landfill, which is comprised of an asset impairment charge, a development project charge write-off, an environmental remediation charge, a legal settlement charge, related legal and transaction costs and a recovery on insurance settlement. A positive number is an expense and a negative number is a gain. Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Schedule of Unaudited Pro forma Combined Information Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Beginning balance Ending balance Liability balance Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies Interest Rate Swaps Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] Principal amount of debt Aggregate principal amount outstanding Long-term Debt, Gross Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Recycling Recycling Revenues [Member] Recycling Revenues [Member] Total expense charged to operations under lease agreement Capital Leases, Income Statement, Amortization Expense Non-Employee Director Non Employee Director [Member] Non Employee Director [Member] Credit facility maximum Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Multiemployer Plans [Line Items] Multiemployer Plan [Line Items] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Weighted Average Grant Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Potsdam Environmental Remediation Liability Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member] Potsdam environmental liability. Total fair value of other stock awards vested Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value Non-current assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets OTHER ITEMS AND CHARGES Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both, Disclosure [Text Block] Accumulated Deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Revisions in estimates Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate Major Property Class [Domain] Major Property Class [Domain] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Weighted average remaining contractual term, outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Exercisable (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications OCI, before Reclassifications, before Tax, Attributable to Parent PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Multiemployer Pension Plans Pension Plan [Member] CURRENT LIABILITIES: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Federal statutory rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Accretion expense Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense Accounting Standards Adopted and Pending Adoption New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Discount Rate Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]