REMEDIAL LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Changes to remedial liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 137,613
Liabilities assumed in acquisitions	100
Accretion	4,735
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(1,516)
Settlement of obligations	(5,099)
Currency translation and other	(837)
Balance at the end of the period	134,996
Remedial Liabilities for Landfill Sites
Changes to remedial liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	5,511
Liabilities assumed in acquisitions	0
Accretion	203
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(8)
Settlement of obligations	(49)
Currency translation and other	(134)
Balance at the end of the period	5,523
Remedial Liabilities for Inactive Sites
Changes to remedial liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	82,354
Liabilities assumed in acquisitions	0
Accretion	2,849
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(933)
Settlement of obligations	(2,741)
Currency translation and other	(7)
Balance at the end of the period	81,522
Remedial Liabilities (Including Superfund) for Non-Landfill Operations
Changes to remedial liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	49,748
Liabilities assumed in acquisitions	100
Accretion	1,683
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(575)
Settlement of obligations	(2,309)
Currency translation and other	(696)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 47,951