SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 segments	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments			2
Recycling revenues	$ 43,873	$ 53,879	$ 151,991	$ 221,516
Equipment sales, service and leasing revenues	477	484	1,582	1,649
Management fees	1,379	1,403	3,686	4,064
Cost of goods and services sold	43,563	56,638	149,838	215,448
Inventory adjustment for lower of cost or market	0	3,441	0	3,441
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(2,783)	(2,852)	(8,960)	(9,525)
Loss before other income (expense)	(617)	(7,165)	(1,539)	(1,185)
Segment assets	69,572	96,040	69,572	96,040	80,970
Recycling [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Recycling revenues	43,873	53,879	151,991	221,516
Equipment sales, service and leasing revenues	0	0	0	0
Management fees	0	0	0	0
Cost of goods and services sold	42,225	55,166	146,017	211,268
Inventory adjustment for lower of cost or market		3,441		3,441
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(1,506)	(1,909)	(4,752)	(6,069)
Loss before other income (expense)	142	(6,637)	1,222	738
Segment assets	58,833	83,204	58,833	83,204
Waste Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Recycling revenues	0	0	0	0
Equipment sales, service and leasing revenues	477	484	1,582	1,649
Management fees	1,379	1,403	3,686	4,064
Cost of goods and services sold	1,338	1,472	3,821	4,180
Inventory adjustment for lower of cost or market		0		0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(210)	(215)	(586)	(600)
Loss before other income (expense)	308	200	861	933
Segment assets	1,854	2,046	1,854	2,046
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Recycling revenues	0	0	0	0
Equipment sales, service and leasing revenues	0	0	0	0
Management fees	0	0	0	0
Cost of goods and services sold	0	0	0	0
Inventory adjustment for lower of cost or market		0		0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(1,067)	(728)	(3,622)	(2,856)
Loss before other income (expense)	(1,067)	(728)	(3,622)	(2,856)
Segment assets	$ 8,885	$ 10,790	$ 8,885	$ 10,790