CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Issuance costs of common stock	$ 5,229ecol_CommonStockIssuanceCost

Represent the amount of common stock issuance costs (for example, but not limited to, legal, accounting, broker, and regulatory fees).

No definition available.

Name:	ecol_CommonStockIssuanceCost
Namespace Prefix:	ecol_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration