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FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE COSTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE COSTS
FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE COSTS
Accrued final capping, closure and post-closure costs include the current and non-current portion of costs associated with obligations for final capping closure and post-closure of our landfills. We estimate our future final capping, closure and post-closure costs in order to determine the final capping, closure and post-closure expense per ton of waste placed into each landfill as further described in Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The anticipated time frame for paying these costs varies based on the remaining useful life of each landfill, as well as the duration of the post-closure monitoring period.
The changes to accrued final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities are as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Beginning balance
$
41,041

 
$
39,829

Obligations incurred
2,441

 
1,798

Revisions in estimates (1)
(2,052
)
 
(2,030
)
Accretion expense
3,606

 
3,370

Obligations settled (2)
(829
)
 
(1,926
)
Ending balance
$
44,207

 
$
41,041

 
(1)
The revisions in estimates for final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities for fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2015 consist of changes in cost estimates and the timing of final capping and closure events, as well as changes to expansion airspace and tonnage placement assumptions.
(2)
Includes amounts paid and amounts that are being processed through accounts payable as a part of our disbursement cycle.