Amount recognized as an operating expense or loss during the period to write-off the deferred costs associated with development projects no longer deemed viable. Abandoned Development Project Expense Development project charge Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Text Block] Accounting Changes and Reclassifications Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable Related Parties Current Outstanding accounts payable Accounts Receivable Net Current Accounts receivable - trade, net Accounts receivable - trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,672 and $1,332 Accretion Expense Accretion expense Accretion Expense Including Asset Retirement Obligations Interest accretion on landfill and environmental remediation liabilities Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Environmental remediation liability Liability balance Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Discount Plus inflation / (discount) Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Gross Undiscounted liability Total Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Rolling Maturity [Abstract] Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies, Rolling Maturity [Abstract] Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due After Fifth Year Thereafter Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due In Fifth Year 2019 Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due In Fourth Year 2018 Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due In Second Year 2016 Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due In Third Year 2017 Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Undiscounted Due Within One Year 2015 Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure And Environmental Costs Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure And Environmental Costs Noncurrent Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion Accumulated Deficit During Development Stage [Member] Accumulated Deficit [Member] Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Interest Rate Swaps Adjustment Net Unrealized Gain Loss [Member] Accumulated Interest Rate Swaps Adjustment Net Unrealized Gain Loss [Member] Interest Rate Swaps [Member] Accumulated Net Gain Loss From Designated Or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Commodity Hedges [Member] Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain Loss [Member] Marketable Securities [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Ending balance Beginning balance Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Acquisitions. Acquisitions [Member] Acquisition [Member] Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Additional shares of Class A Common Stock that could be issued if maximum attainment levels are met. Additional Shares Issued Maximum Attainment Level Common stock additional issue Adjustment For Amortization Amortization expense Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Stock-based compensation Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation Tax benefits from additional paid-in-capital adjustments Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Stock-based compensation expense All Other Segments [Member] Other [Member] Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Accounts receivable - trade, allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance For Notes Receivable [Member] Allowance for Notes Receivable [Member] Altela, Inc. [Member] Altela Inc [Member] Altela, Inc. [Member] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Debt Discount Premium Amortization of debt discounts Amortization of discount on senior subordinated notes and second lien notes Amortization Of Financing Costs Amortization of debt financing costs Amortization Of Intangible Assets Intangible amortization expenses Anticipated remediation cost. Anticipated Remediation Cost Anticipated remediation costs Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Shares of potential common stock related to restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and stock options excluded from the calculation of dilutive shares The total amount of asserted liability, comprising of tax, penalties and interest, sought by the counterparty. Asserted Liability Net Aggregate finance asserting liability total The amount of asserted tax liability sought by the counterparty. Asserted Tax Liability Taxation payable The amount of asserted penalties and interest liability sought by the counterparty. Asserted Tax Liability Penalties And Interest Penalties and interest payable Asset Impairment Charges Asset impairment charge Impairment charge Asset Retirement Obligation Ending balance Beginning balance Accrued costs associated with post-closure obligations Asset Retirement Obligation Accretion Expense Accretion expense Asset Retirement Obligation Cash Paid To Settle Landfill post-closure cost Payments Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block] Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Costs Asset Retirement Obligation Liabilities Incurred Obligations incurred Asset Retirement Obligation [Line Items] Asset Retirement Obligation [Line Items] Asset Retirement Obligation [Line Items] Asset Retirement Obligation Revision Of Estimate Revisions in estimates Asset Retirement Obligations Policy Landfill Accounting Assets Total assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets: Assets Current Total current assets Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] CURRENT ASSETS: Assets Noncurrent Total non-current assets Assets Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current Asset group Current assets of discontinued operations Assets Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Noncurrent Non-current assets of discontinued operations Automobiles [Member] Automobile Plan [Member] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Bbi waste services. Bbi Waste Services [Member] BBI Acquisition [Member] Bio fuels assets. Bio Fuels Assets [Member] BioFuels Assets [Member] Building And Building Improvements [Member] Buildings and Improvements [Member] Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Equity Interest Issued Or Issuable Value Assigned Common stock issued Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business acquisition. Business Acquisition [Member] Business Acquisition [Member] The pro forma basic and diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period. Business Acquisition Pro Forma Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Basic and diluted loss per common share attributable to common stockholders Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Text Block] Schedule of Unaudited Pro forma Combined Information Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Net Income Loss Net loss attributable to common stockholders The pro forma operating income for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period. Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Operating Income Loss Operating income Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Revenue Revenue Business Combination Consideration Transferred 1 Total Business Combination Consideration Transferred Other 1 Other non-cash considerations Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability Contingent consideration and holdbacks Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Business Combinations Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Current Assets Current assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill Intangible assets Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Liabilities Other liabilities, net Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Net Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Property Plant And Equipment Equipment Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations Policy Business Combinations Business Combination Step Acquisition Equity Interest In Acquiree Fair Value 1 Price to purchase acquired assets prior to the acquisition date Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Capital Lease Obligations Capital leases for facilities and equipment Capital Lease Obligations Incurred Property, plant and equipment acquired through lease obligations Capital Lease Obligations [Member] Capital Lease Obligations [Member] Capital Leases Income Statement Amortization Expense Total expense charged to operations under lease agreement Capital Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year Capital Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year Capital loss carryforward expiration period Cares [Member] Cares [Member] Cares [Member] Casella Altela Regional Environmental Services LLC [Member] Casella Altela Regional Environmental Services Llc [Member] Casella-Altela Regional Environmental Services, LLC [Member] Maturity for a highly liquid investment to be considered a cash equivalent. Cash And Cash Equivalent Maximum Maturity Maximum cash equivalents maturity period Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Flow Noncash Investing And Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Cash paid received during period. Cash Paid Received During Period [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Discontinued Operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Discontinued Operations Net cash used in operating activities Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Collection. Collection [Member] Collection [Member] Annual salary commitments under employment agreements. Commitment Amount Under Employment Agreement Total annual commitments for salaries Commitment, Contingency And Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Commitment Contingency And Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Commitment, Contingency And Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Policy [Text Block] Contingent Liabilities Commodity Contract [Member] Commodity Contract [Member] Common Class A [Member] Class A Common Stock [Member] Common Class B [Member] Class B Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Capital Shares Reserved For Future Issuance Number of shares available for future grant Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, authorized shares Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, issued shares Common Stock Shares Outstanding Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Common stock shares outstanding Common stock, outstanding shares Common Stock Value Common stock This element represents the number of votes per share that the holders are entitled to on common stock. Common Stock Votes Per Share Common stock, votes (in votes per share) Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes: Concentration Risk Credit Risk Concentrations of Credit Risk Concentration Risk Customer Concentration of credit risk Concentration Risk Percentage 1 Maximum percentage of accounts receivable represented by single group or customer Revenues percentage Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] Subsidiary Guarantors Condition one. Condition One [Member] Condition One [Member] Consolidation Eliminations [Member] Elimination [Member] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Containers [Member] Containers [Member] Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items] Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items] Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items] Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Contingencies And Commitments [Table] Contract Extension Period Contract Extension Period Contract extension period Years of salary and bonus due to employee upon change in control or involuntary termination without cause. Contractual Obligation Payments Period Salary and bonuses payment range Cost Method Investments Cost method investments Cost Of Goods And Services Sold Cost of operations Costs And Expenses Total operating expenses Total operating expenses Costs And Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit Current Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit Current Current State Deferred Benefit Loss Carryforwards Current State Deferred Benefit Loss Carryforwards Current benefit of loss carryforwards Customer Lists [Member] Client Lists [Member] Customer solutions. Customer Solutions [Member] Customer Solutions [Member] Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Long term debt and capital lease obligations current and non current Total Debt And Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block] Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases Maximum annual capital expenditures ratio based on our senior credit facility. Debt Covenant Capital Expenditure To Depreciation Depletion And Landfill Amortization Expense Ratio Ratio of restricted capital expenditure Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Instrument Additional Borrowings Feature Debt Instrument Additional Borrowings Feature Additional bond issued Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate 1 Interest at LIBOR Debt Instrument Carrying Amount Carrying value of bonds Debt Instrument Covenant Description Debt Covenants, description Debt Instrument Face Amount Debt instrument, face amount Debt Instrument Interest Rate At Period End Debt instrument, interest rate at period end Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Derivative instrument interest rate Debt instrument interest rate Debt instrument stated percentage Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Rate Range Maximum Debt instrument interest rate Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument Maturity Date Debt instrument, due date Maturity date Debt Instrument Maturity Date Range End 1 Debt instrument maturity date Debt Instrument Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument Periodic Payment Debt instrument lease installments Leases monthly payments Debt Instrument Redemption [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items] Debt Instrument Redemption [Table] Debt Instrument Redemption [Table] Debt Instrument [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Unamortized discount Issued discount Senior second lien notes, unamortized discount Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Requisite Service Period Employer contributions vesting period Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred income taxes Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred Deferred Tax Assets Capital Loss Carryforwards Capital loss carryforward Capital loss carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets Derivative Instruments Unrealized loss on commodity hedges The component of deferred income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) during the period in the entity's domestic deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as a result of loss carryforwards. Deferred Tax Assets Federal Capital Loss Carryforwards Deferred benefit of loss carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets Gross Total deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Net deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Assets Net Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards Net operating loss carryforwards