Casella Waste Systems (CWST) 10-Q 6 Mar 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 14, 2014	Feb. 14, 2014
		Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000911177	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--04-30	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	39,049,818	988,200

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,712	$1,755
Restricted cash	76	76
Accounts receivable - trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,437 and $1,332	50,330	48,689
Refundable income taxes	608	128
Prepaid expenses	8,149	5,711
Inventory	4,396	3,494
Deferred income taxes	3,149	3,730
Other current assets	1,844	901
Current assets of discontinued operations	353	61
Total current assets	71,617	64,545
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $684,168 and $645,567	420,769	422,502
Goodwill	119,064	115,928
Intangible assets, net	14,172	11,674
Restricted assets	675	545
Notes receivable - related party	'	147
Investments in unconsolidated entities	16,752	20,252
Other non-current assets	24,830	27,526
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	1,563	'
Total assets	669,442	663,119
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	434	857
Current maturities of financing lease obligations	380	361
Accounts payable	41,999	51,974
Accrued payroll and related expenses	4,321	3,983
Accrued interest	12,943	6,074
Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs	5,714	3,835
Other accrued liabilities	19,865	21,014
Total current liabilities	85,656	88,098
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities	509,759	493,531
Financing lease obligations, less current maturities	1,169	1,456
Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion	41,220	39,335
Deferred income taxes	7,108	6,798
Other long-term liabilities	18,117	18,450
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'	'
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	337,946	335,857
Accumulated deficit	-335,658	-324,377
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	38	-592
Total Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,726	11,285
Noncontrolling interests	3,687	4,166
Total stockholders' equity	6,413	15,451
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	669,442	663,119
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	390	387
Total stockholders' equity	390	387
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	10	10
Total stockholders' equity	$10	$10

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable - trade, allowance for doubtful accounts	$2,437	$1,332
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization	$684,168	$645,567
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, authorized shares	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, issued shares	39,049,000	38,662,000
Common stock, outstanding shares	39,049,000	38,662,000
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, authorized shares	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, votes (in votes per share)	10	10
Common stock, issued shares	988,000	988,000
Common stock, outstanding shares	988,000	988,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$117,852	$112,167	$378,706	$346,641
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of operations	87,602	81,436	266,565	244,867
General and administration	15,361	14,328	46,864	43,401
Depreciation and amortization	14,396	13,964	45,261	43,244
Development project charge	1,440	'	1,440	'
Environmental remediation charge	250	'	400	'
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs	101	372	126	1,003
Severance and reorganization costs	0	1,636	161	3,463
Loss on divestiture	'	353	'	353
Total operating expenses	119,150	112,089	360,817	336,331
Operating (loss) income	-1,298	78	17,889	10,310
Other expense (income):	'	'	'	'
Interest income	-109	-50	-222	-68
Interest expense	9,568	9,209	28,562	32,415
Loss from equity method investments	112	1,436	998	3,311
Gain on sale of equity method investment	-593	'	-593	'
Loss (gain) on derivative instruments	233	-24	208	3,871
Loss on debt extinguishment	'	5,914	'	15,584
Other income	-132	-298	-662	-737
Other expense, net	9,079	16,187	28,291	54,376
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations	-10,377	-16,109	-10,402	-44,066
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	656	-4,963	1,275	-3,899
Loss from continuing operations before discontinued operations	-11,033	-11,146	-11,677	-40,167
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
(Loss) income from discontinued operations (net of income tax provision of $0, $0, $0 and $0)	'	-328	284	-779
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (net of income tax provision of $0, $0, $0 and $0)	'	'	-378	'
Net income (loss)	-11,033	-11,474	-11,771	-40,946
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-283	-67	-490	-199
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	-10,750	-11,407	-11,281	-40,747
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:	'	'	'	'
Loss from continuing operations before discontinued operations	-10,750	-11,079	-11,187	-39,968
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	-328	284	-779
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	-378	'
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	($10,750)	($11,407)	($11,281)	($40,747)
Basic and diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Loss from continuing operations before discontinued operations	($0.27)	($0.28)	($0.28)	($1.23)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	($0.01)	$0.01	($0.03)
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	($0.01)	'
Net loss per common share	($0.27)	($0.29)	($0.28)	($1.26)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	39,882	39,230	39,789	32,365

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations, income tax provision	$0	$0	$0	$0
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, income tax provision	$0	$0	$0	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($11,033)	($11,474)	($11,771)	($40,946)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized income (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments	533	-11	-35	-2,810
Realized loss on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings	310	149	655	4,139
Unrealized (loss) gain resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities	-8	-11	10	4
Other comprehensive income	835	127	630	1,333
Comprehensive loss	-10,198	-11,347	-11,141	-39,613
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-283	-67	-490	-199
Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders	($9,915)	($11,280)	($10,651)	($39,414)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Apr. 30, 2013	$15,451	$387	$10	$335,857	($324,377)	($592)	$4,166
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 30, 2013	'	38,662,000	988,000	'	'	'	'
Net loss	-11,771	'	'	'	-11,281	'	-490
Other comprehensive income	630	'	'	'	'	630	'
Issuances of Class A common stock	241	3	'	238	'	'	'
Issuances of Class A common stock, shares	'	387,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation and related severance expense	1,851	'	'	1,851	'	'	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders	11	'	'	'	'	'	11
Balance at Jan. 31, 2014	$6,413	$390	$10	$337,946	($335,658)	$38	$3,687
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 31, 2014	'	39,049,000	988,000	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net loss	($11,771)	($40,946)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-284	779
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	378	'
Gain on sale of property and equipment	-608	-408
Depreciation and amortization	45,261	43,244
Depletion of landfill operating lease obligations	7,710	7,358
Interest accretion on landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	3,084	2,756
Loss on divestiture	'	353
Development project charge	1,440	'
Amortization of discount on second lien notes and senior subordinated notes	180	568
Loss from equity method investments	998	3,311
Gain on sale of equity method investment	-593	'
Loss on derivative instruments	208	3,871
Loss on debt extinguishment	'	15,584
Stock-based compensation and related severance expense	1,851	1,840
Excess tax benefit on the vesting of share based awards	'	-98
Deferred income taxes	1,088	-4,057
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-1,135	-1,544
Accounts payable	-9,975	-110
Prepaid expenses, inventories and other assets	-2,730	-645
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	2,576	-685
Net cash provided by operating activities	37,678	31,171
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-8,519	-25,106
Payments on landfill operating lease contracts	-6,052	-5,726
Payment for capital related to divestiture	'	-618
Investments in unconsolidated entities	-2,107	-1,000
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	2,845	'
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,248	781
Net cash used in investing activities	-49,256	-74,985
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	120,890	334,497
Principal payments on long-term debt	-107,834	-320,483
Payment of tender premium and costs on second lien notes	'	-10,743
Payments of financing costs	-404	-4,572
Net proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock	'	42,184
Excess tax benefit on the vesting of share based awards	'	98
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders	'	1,195
Net cash provided by financing activities	12,652	42,176
Discontinued Operations:	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	-201	-645
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	84	-1,139
Net cash used in discontinued operations	-117	-1,784
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	957	-3,422
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,755	4,534
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,712	1,112
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest	19,506	26,390
Income taxes, net of refunds	649	97
Summary of entities acquired in purchase business combinations:	'	'
Fair value of net assets acquired	9,996	27,936
Common stock issued	'	2,650
Other non-cash consideration	483	'
Cash paid, net of cash acquired	8,490	25,106
Holdbacks to sellers and contingent consideration	1,023	180
Property, plant and equipment acquired through lease obligations	2,301	'
Acquisition [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-2,440	-528
Growth [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-4,309	-10,356
Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	($29,922)	($32,432)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (“Parent”), its wholly-owned subsidiaries and certain partially owned entities over which it has a controlling financial interest (collectively, “we”, “us” or “our”), is a regional, vertically-integrated solid waste services company that provides collection, transfer, disposal, landfill, landfill gas-to-energy, recycling and organics services in the northeastern United States. We market recyclable metals, aluminum, plastics, paper and corrugated cardboard, which have been processed at our recycling facilities, as well as recyclables purchased from third parties. We manage our solid waste operations on a geographic basis through two regional operating segments, the Eastern and Western regions, each of which provides a full range of solid waste services, and our larger-scale recycling and commodity brokerage operations through our Recycling segment. Organics services, ancillary operations, major customer accounts, discontinued operations and earnings from equity method investees are included in our Other segment.
	The consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Parent, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and certain partially owned entities over which it has a controlling financial interest, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities in which we do not have a controlling financial interest are accounted for under either the equity method or cost method of accounting, as appropriate. Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and assets held-for-sale are segregated from those of continuing operations and reported in separate captions in the balance sheet, as applicable. The results of operations that have been disposed of or classified as held-for-sale and qualify for discontinued operations accounting are reported in discontinued operations, as applicable. Our significant accounting policies are more fully discussed in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on June 27, 2013.
	Preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses. We must make these estimates and assumptions because certain information that we use is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision given the available data or simply cannot be readily calculated. In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which include normal recurring and nonrecurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Interim results may not be indicative of the results for any other interim period or the entire fiscal year. The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2013.
	Reclassifications
	We have made reclassifications to the April 30, 2013 balance sheet, including a reclassification to properly state the current deferred income tax asset and the non-current deferred income tax liability. The reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported results of operations or retained earnings.
	New Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption
	Income Taxes
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update for the reporting of an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The update provides an exception, requiring the unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in the financial statements as a liability when the carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax laws to settle additional income taxes that would result for the disallowance of a tax provision or the tax laws do not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose. This guidance is effective prospectively, with retrospective application permitted, for annual periods, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this standard.
	Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
	Comprehensive Income
	In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update for the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). This guidance requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income (loss) or in the notes to consolidated financial statements if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income (loss). For other amounts not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income (loss) in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance effective May 1, 2013 and it has not had, and we believe it will not have, a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 7 for presentation of the information required by this accounting standards update.
	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Impairment Test
	In July 2012, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment testing. This guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, then the entity will not need to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350-30. This guidance is effective for annual and interim indefinite-lived assets impairment tests performed for annual reporting periods beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance effective May 1, 2013 and it has not had, and we believe it will not have, a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	In December 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standards update regarding the disclosure of offsetting assets and liabilities in financial statements. This guidance requires an entity to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The objective of this disclosure is to facilitate comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards. In January 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to address implementation issues about the December 2011 accounting standards update by clarifying the scope of the offsetting disclosures. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. We adopted this guidance effective May 1, 2013 and it has not had, and we believe it will not have, a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Business_Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Acquisitions	'
	2	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
	During the nine months ended January 31, 2014, we acquired three solid waste hauling operations in the Western region for total consideration of $2,541 as of the acquisition dates, including $2,026 in cash, $36 of advanced customer billings and $479 in holdbacks to the sellers, and a solid waste hauling operation and a transfer station in the Eastern region for total consideration of $4,298 as of the acquisition dates, including $4,089 in cash and $209 associated with the forgiveness of trade receivables and advanced customer billings. We also acquired an industrial environmental service management business in the Other segment for total consideration of $2,494 as of the acquisition date, including $1,320 in cash, $330 in holdbacks to the seller and $844 in consideration, not to exceed $1,000, contingent upon the realization of a measure of operating income associated with certain prospective customer contracts within twelve months of closing. In addition, we acquired the remaining 50% membership interest of Tompkins County Recycling LLC (“Tompkins”) in the Recycling segment, which we had previously accounted for as an equity method investment, for total cash consideration of $425. See Note 15 for further disclosure regarding this transaction.
	During the nine months ended January 31, 2013, we acquired four solid waste hauling operations in the Western region for total consideration of $5,384 as of the acquisition dates, including $4,854 in cash and $530 in holdbacks to the sellers, and all of the outstanding capital stock of Bestway Disposal Services and BBI Waste Services (“BBI”) in the Eastern region for total consideration, subject to certain closing adjustments based on the terms of the agreement, of $22,650 as of the acquisition date, including $20,000 in cash and 625 shares of our Class A common stock, valued at an aggregate of $2,650. We recorded an additional $5,242 to goodwill for the increased deferred tax liability related to the BBI acquisition based on the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for income tax purposes, see Note 10 for further disclosure. The operating results of these businesses are included in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations from each date of acquisition, and the purchase price has been allocated to the net assets acquired based on fair values at each date of acquisition, with the residual amounts recorded as goodwill. Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill that are subject to amortization include client lists and non-compete covenants. These are amortized over a five to ten year period from the date of acquisition. All amounts recorded to goodwill, except amounts related to the acquisition of BBI, are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
	The purchase price allocated to net assets acquired and the residual amount allocated to goodwill during the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			Nine Months Ended
			January 31,
			2014			2013
	Equipment		$	2,013		$	9,403
	Goodwill			3,108			14,575
	Intangible assets			4,302			9,601
	Current assets			814			1,475
	Current liabilities			(241	)		(7,118	)
	Total		$	9,996		$	27,936
	The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information shows the results of our operations for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 as though each of the acquisitions made in the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and the twelve months ended April 30, 2013 had occurred as of May 1, 2012.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenue		$	118,210		$	116,385		$	382,786		$	366,889
	Operating (loss) income		$	(1,215	)	$	584		$	18,671		$	12,227
	Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(10,721	)	$	(11,274	)	$	(10,965	)	$	(40,537	)
	Basic and diluted loss per common share attributable to common stockholders		$	(0.27	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(1.25	)
	Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding			39,882			39,230			39,789			32,365
	The pro forma results set forth in the table above have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations had the acquisitions occurred as of May 1, 2012 or the results of our future operations. Furthermore, the pro forma results do not give effect to all cost savings or incremental costs that may occur as a result of the integration and consolidation of the completed acquisitions.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	3	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The following table shows the activity and balances related to goodwill from April 30, 2013 through January 31, 2014:
			April 30,				Acquisitions				January 31,
			2013								2014
	Eastern region (1)		$	16,858			$	558			$	17,416
	Western region			86,880				786				87,666
	Recycling			12,190				63				12,253
	Other			—				1,729				1,729
	Total		$	115,928			$	3,136			$	119,064
	-1	Included in Eastern region acquisitions activity is a $33 adjustment related to the December 5, 2012 BBI acquisition due to a finalization of the deferred tax liability for BBI at acquisition.
	Intangible assets as of January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013 consist of the following:
			Covenants				Client Lists				Total
			Not-to-Compete
	Balance, January 31, 2014
	Intangible assets		$	17,245			$	15,760			$	33,005
	Less accumulated amortization			(15,224	)			(3,609	)			(18,833	)
			$	2,021			$	12,151			$	14,172
			Covenants				Client Lists				Total
			Not-to-Compete
	Balance, April 30, 2013
	Intangible assets		$	17,043			$	11,660			$	28,703
	Less accumulated amortization			(14,800	)			(2,229	)			(17,029	)
			$	2,243			$	9,431			$	11,674
	Intangible amortization expense for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 was $695, $353, $1,804 and $751, respectively. The intangible amortization expense estimated for the five fiscal years following fiscal year 2013 and thereafter is as follows:
	2014				2015				2016				2017		2018		Thereafter
	$	750			$	2,927			$	2,314			$	1,874	$	1,652	$	4,655

Accrued_Capping_Closure_and_Po

Accrued Capping, Closure and Post Closure	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Accrued Capping, Closure and Post Closure	'
	4	ACCRUED CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST CLOSURE
	Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs include the current and non-current portion of costs associated with obligations for closure and post-closure of our landfills. We estimate our future capping, closure and post-closure costs in order to determine the capping, closure and post-closure expense per ton of waste placed into each landfill. The anticipated timeframe 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 capping, closure and post-closure liabilities for the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			Nine Months Ended
			January 31,
			2014			2013
	Beginning balance		$	43,170		$	39,629
	Obligations incurred			2,935			2,606
	Accretion expense			2,981			2,653
	Payments			(2,152	)		(2,304	)
	Ending balance		$	46,934		$	42,584

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	5	LONG-TERM DEBT
	Amendment of Senior Credit Facility
	On June 25, 2013, we entered into a third amendment under our revolving credit and letter of credit facility due March 18, 2016 (“Senior Credit Facility”). This amendment adjusted our financial covenants, loosening our minimum interest coverage ratio and our maximum consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio and reducing our maximum senior funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio and maximum allowed fiscal year capital expenditures. As of January 31, 2014, these covenants restrict fiscal year capital expenditures to 1.1 times our consolidated depreciation expense, depletion expense and landfill amortization expense, and set a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.25, a maximum consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio of 5.85 and a maximum senior funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio of 2.50. In addition to the financial covenants described above, the Senior Credit Facility also contains a number of negative covenants, which restrict, among other things, our ability to sell assets, pay dividends, invest in non-wholly owned entities, repurchase stock, incur debt, grant liens and issue preferred stock. As of January 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants under the indenture governing our Senior Credit Facility. We do not believe that these restrictions impact our ability to meet future liquidity needs, except that they may limit our ability to increase our investments in non-wholly owned entities (including the joint ventures to which we are already party).
	Loss on Debt Extinguishment
	In the three months ended January 31, 2013, we recorded a charge of $5,914 as a loss on debt extinguishment related to the refinancing of our remaining $180,000 11% senior second lien notes due 2014 (“Second Lien Notes”). The loss on debt extinguishment consisted of a $1,100 non-cash write off of deferred financing costs, a $816 non-cash write off of the unamortized original issue discount and a $3,998 charge associated with the early tender premium and other fees associated with the redemption of the remaining Second Lien Notes.
	In the nine months ended January 31, 2013, we recorded a charge of $15,584 as a loss on debt extinguishment related to the full refinancing of our Second Lien Notes. The loss on debt extinguishment consisted of a $2,767 non-cash write off of deferred financing costs, a $2,074 non-cash write off of the unamortized original issue discount and a $10,743 charge associated with the early tender premium and tender fees associated with the redemption of the Second Lien Notes.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	6	CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Proceedings
	In the ordinary course of our business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the solid waste industry, we are subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving state and local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency may seek to impose fines or to revoke or deny renewal of an operating permit held by us. From time to time, we may also be subject to actions brought by special interest or other groups, adjacent landowners or residents in connection with the permitting and licensing of landfills and transfer stations, or alleging environmental damage or violations of the permits and licenses pursuant to which we operate. In addition, we have been named defendants in various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violations of certain laws and alleged liabilities arising out of matters occurring during the ordinary operation of the waste management business.
	In accordance with FASB ASC 450-20, we accrue for legal proceedings when losses become probable and reasonably estimable. As of the end of each applicable reporting period, we review each of our legal proceedings to determine whether it is probable, reasonably possible or remote that a liability has been incurred and, if it is at least reasonably possible, whether a range of loss can be reasonably estimated under the provisions of FASB ASC 450-20. In instances where we determine that a loss is probable and we can reasonably estimate a range of losses we may incur with respect to such a matter, we record an accrual for the amount within the range that constitutes our best estimate of the possible loss. If we are able to reasonably estimate a range, but no amount within the range appears to be a better estimate than any other, we record an accrual in the amount that is the low end of such range. When a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, we will not record an accrual, but we will disclose our estimate of the possible range of loss where such estimate can be made in accordance with ASC 450-20.
	Environmental Liability
	We are subject to liability for environmental damage, including personal injury and property damage, that our solid waste, recycling and power generation facilities may cause to neighboring property owners, particularly as a result of the contamination of drinking water sources or soil, possibly including damage resulting from conditions existing before we acquired the facilities. We may also be subject to liability for similar claims arising from off-site environmental contamination caused by pollutants or hazardous substances if we or our predecessors arrange or arranged to transport, treat or dispose of those materials. The following matters represent our potential or outstanding material claims.
	Potsdam Environmental Liability
	On December 20, 2000, the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) issued an Order on Consent (“Order”) which named Waste-Stream, Inc. (“WSI”), our subsidiary, General Motors Corporation (“GM”) and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (“NiMo”) as Respondents. The Order required that the Respondents undertake certain work on a 25-acre scrap yard and solid waste transfer station owned by WSI, including the preparation of a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (“Study”). A draft of the Study was submitted to the DEC in January 2009 (followed by a final report in May 2009). The Study estimated that the undiscounted costs associated with implementing the preferred remedies would be approximately $10,219. On February 28, 2011, the DEC issued a Proposed Remedial Action Plan for the site and accepted public comments on the proposed remedy through March 29, 2011. We submitted comments to the DEC on this matter. In April 2011, the DEC issued the final Record of Decision (“ROD”) for the site. The ROD was subsequently rescinded by the DEC for failure to respond to all submitted comments. The preliminary ROD, however, estimated that the present cost associated with implementing the preferred remedies would be approximately $12,130. The DEC issued the final ROD in June 2011 with proposed remedies consistent with its earlier ROD. An Order on Consent and Administrative Settlement naming WSI and NiMo as Respondents was executed by the Respondents and DEC with an effective date of October 25, 2013. It is unlikely that any costs relating to onsite remediation will be incurred until fiscal year 2015.
	WSI is jointly and severally liable for the total cost to remediate and we initially expected to be responsible for approximately 30% of such costs pursuant to a cost-sharing agreement with NiMo and GM. Based on these estimates, we recorded an environmental remediation charge of $2,823 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, we recognized an additional charge of $1,532, representing an additional 15% of the estimated costs, in recognition of the deteriorating financial condition and eventual bankruptcy filing of GM. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010, we recognized an additional charge of $335 based on changes in the expected timing of cash outflows. Based on the estimated costs in the ROD, and changes in the estimated timing of cash flows, we recorded an environmental remediation charge of $549 in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. Such charges could be significantly higher if costs exceed estimates. We inflate these estimated costs in current dollars until the expected time of payment and discount the cost to present value using a risk free interest rate (2.70%). As of January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013, we have recorded liabilities of $5,406 and $5,297, respectively, including the recognition of $34 of accretion expense in the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 and the recognition of $103 of accretion expense in the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013.
	In September 2011, the DEC settled its environmental claim against the estate of the former GM (known as “Motors Liquidation Trust”) for future remediation costs relating to the WSI site for face value of $3,000. In addition, in November 2011 we settled our own claim against the Motors Liquidation Trust for face value of $100. These claims will be paid by GM in warrants to obtain stock of the reorganized GM. We began receiving the warrants in May 2013 and at this time no way to accurately estimate when the remainder of these claims will be paid. We have not assumed that any proceeds from the sale of securities received in payment of these claims will reduce our exposure.
	Southbridge Landfill Environmental Liability
	On or about August 24, 2013, we experienced the movement of stockpiled earth at our Southbridge, Massachusetts Landfill (“SBL”). The materials stockpiled consisted of soil removed and relocated to create space for the construction of additional landfill airspace at SBL. The earth had been relocated and stored during the fall, winter and spring construction season of fiscal year 2013.
	The movement caused some of the stockpiled earth to enter wetlands on property owned by us. On or about August 29, 2013, we notified the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MADEP”), and the Towns of Southbridge and Charlton, Massachusetts, of the occurrence of the movement. On or about September 6, 2013, MADEP issued an “Administrative Unilateral Order” to us, which ordered that we provide MADEP with a plan to clean the wetlands of any materials deposited therein as a result of the movement (“Plan”). On or about October 3, 2013, we submitted the Plan to MADEP, and on or about October 15, 2013, MADEP approved the Plan and verbally issued permission for us to proceed with the execution of the Plan. We are currently engaged, under the supervision of MADEP, in the execution of the Plan.
	We have also received correspondence from the Massachusetts’ Office of the Attorney General (“MAAG”), dated January 28, 2014, advising us that the MAAG intends to schedule a meeting with us to discuss this incident at SBL, and to possibly file suit against us for violation of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection, Clean Air and Solid Waste Acts. A meeting was held with the MAAG on March 6, 2014 to discuss the ongoing remediation effort and the parties have initiated discussions regarding the resolution of this matter.
	It is anticipated that execution of the Plan and related matters will involve remediation costs of $2,100 and such costs could be higher if actual costs exceed estimates. We have provided notice to our insurer of the Plan, and the costs expended by us to date to comply with the Plan. We have also provided notice to certain of our contractors and technical advisors that the movement has occurred, that significant remediation costs will be incurred in executing the Plan and related matters, and that we expect our contractors and technical advisors to assist in the execution of the Plan and related matters, to share in the remediation costs thereof as responsible parties, and to provide notice to their insurers. We believe that a loss in the range of $400 to $2,100, after considering amounts to be reimbursed from our insurer and third parties, is probable and have therefore recorded a charge of $250 and $400 in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 as an environmental remediation charge.
	Loss Contingency
	Casella-Altela Regional Environmental Services, LLC (“CARES”) is a joint venture that owns and operates one water and leachate treatment facility for the natural gas drilling industry in Pennsylvania. Our joint venture partner in CARES is Altela, Inc. In accordance with ASC 810-10-15, we consolidate the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interest and results of operations of CARES into our consolidated financial statements due to our controlling financial interest in the joint venture.
	During the three months ended January 31, 2014, we determined that certain water treatment assets (“Equipment”) of CARES were no longer operational or were not operating within product performance parameters. We are currently working to secure replacements for the Equipment at no cost to CARES. We believe that a loss in the range of $0 to $864 is probable and have therefore not recorded a charge in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	7	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Shares Available For Issuance
	In fiscal year 2007, we adopted the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (“2006 Plan”). The 2006 Plan was amended in fiscal year 2010. Under the 2006 Plan, we may grant awards up to an aggregate number of shares equal to the sum of: (i) 2,475 shares of Class A common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits and other similar events), plus (ii) such additional number of shares of Class A common stock as are currently subject to options granted under our 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 1994 Non-statutory Stock Option Plan, 1996 Option Plan and 1997 Plan (“Prior Plans”), which are not actually issued under the Prior Plans because such options expire or otherwise result in shares not being issued. As of January 31, 2014, there were 1,072 Class A common stock equivalents available for future grant under the 2006 Plan, inclusive of additional Class A common stock equivalents, which were previously issued under our terminated plans and which have become available for grant because such awards expired or otherwise resulted in shares not being issued.
	Stock Options
	We grant options under the 2006 Plan at a price equal to the prevailing fair market value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant. Generally, options granted have a term not to exceed ten years and vest over a one to four year period from the date of grant.
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended January 31, 2014 is as follows:
			Stock Options			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
						Average			Average			Intrinsic Value
						Exercise Price			Remaining
									Contractual
									Term (years)
	Outstanding, April 30, 2013			1,442		$	8.48
	Granted			157		$	5.65
	Exercised			—		$	—					$	—
	Forfeited			(158	)	$	7.28
	Outstanding, January 31, 2014			1,441		$	8.47			5.2		$	613
	Exercisable, January 31, 2014			1,033		$	10.05			3.6		$	301
	During the three months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 and the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $155, $123, $359 and $285, respectively.
	As of January 31, 2014, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding stock options was $961, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
	Our calculations of stock-based compensation expense associated with stock options granted in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 were made using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of stock options grants were estimated assuming no expected dividend yield using the following weighted average assumptions for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Stock Options:
	Expected life			6.79 years			6.79 years			6.79 years			6.79 years
	Risk-free interest rate			2.22	%		1.04	%		2.22	%		1.04	%
	Expected volatility			83.96	%		84.55	%		83.96	%		84.55	%
	Expected life is calculated based on the weighted average historical life of the vested stock options, giving consideration to vesting schedules and historical exercise patterns. Risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the period of the expected life of the stock option. Expected volatility is calculated using the weekly historical volatility of our Class A common stock over the expected life.
	The Black-Scholes valuation model requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimation, including estimates of the expected term option holders will retain their vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of our Class A common stock price over the expected term and the number of stock options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting requirements. Application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different estimates of the fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amounts recognized in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations.
	Other Stock Awards
	We grant restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units under the 2006 Plan at a price equal to the fair market value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant. Restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors vest incrementally over a three year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Restricted stock units vest incrementally over an identified service period beginning on the grant date based on continued employment. Performance stock units vest on April 30 of the third fiscal year end following the grant date and are based on our attainment of a targeted average return on net assets as of the vesting date.
	A summary of restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance stock unit activity for the nine months ended January 31, 2014 is as follows:
			Restricted Stock,			Weighted			Weighted Average			Aggregate
			Restricted Stock Units,			Average			Remaining			Intrinsic
			and Performance Stock			Grant			Contractual Term			Value
			Units (1)			Price			(years)
	Outstanding, April 30, 2013			1,088		$	5.28
	Granted			539		$	4.27
	Class A Common Stock Vested			(323	)	$	4.88
	Forfeited			(21	)	$	4.55
	Outstanding, January 31, 2014			1,283		$	4.97			1.5		$	521
	-1	Performance stock units are included at the 100% attainment level. Attainment of maximum annual returns on net assets could result in the issuance of an additional 354 shares of Class A common stock.
	During the nine months ended January 31, 2014, we granted certain employees restricted stock units, which vest over designated service periods of up to three years based on continued employment, and non-employee directors’ restricted stock awards, which vest incrementally over a three year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. We did not grant any performance stock units during the nine months ended January 31, 2014.
	During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock units was $465, $109, $1,431 and $1,201, respectively.
	As of January 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock units was $2,402, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years. Maximum unrecognized stock-based compensation expense at January 31, 2014 related to outstanding performance stock units, and subject to the attainment of targeted maximum annual returns on net assets, was $4,082 to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.9 years. The unrecognized stock-based compensation expense that we expect to recognize as of January 31, 2014 related to outstanding performance stock units based on our expected attainment levels was $0.
	We also recorded $21, $22, $61 and $75 of stock-based compensation expense related to our Employee Stock Purchase Plan during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The change in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is included as a component of our stockholders’ equity, is as follows:
			Marketable			Commodity
			Securities			Hedges
	Beginning balance, April 30, 2013		$	27		$	(619	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			11			(36	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			—			655
	Net current-period other comprehensive income			11			619
	Ending balance, January 31, 2014		$	38		$	—
	A summary of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			January 31,
			2014			2013
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive		Amount Reclassified Out of						Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
	Income (Loss) Components		Accumulated Other Comprehensive						Statements of Operations
			Income (Loss)
	Loss on derivative instruments:
Interest rate contracts		$	—		$	—		Loss on derivative instruments
Commodity hedges			(60	)		(149	)	Loss from equity method investments
			(60	)		(149	)	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations
			(250	)		—		Provision for income taxes
		$	(310	)	$	(149	)	Loss from continuing operations
		Nine Months Ended
		January 31,
		2014			2013
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive		Amount Reclassified Out of						Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
Income (Loss) Components		Accumulated Other Comprehensive						Statements of Operations
		Income (Loss)
Loss on derivative instruments:
Interest rate contracts		$	—		$	(3,625	)	Loss on derivative instruments
Commodity hedges			(405	)		(514	)	Loss from equity method investments
			(405	)		(4,139	)	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations
			(250	)		—		Provision for income taxes
		$	(655	)	$	(4,139	)	Loss from continuing operations

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	8	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following table sets forth the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Loss from continuing operations before discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders		$	(10,750	)	$	(11,079	)	$	(11,187	)	$	(39,968	)
	Denominator:
	Number of shares outstanding, end of period:
	Class A common stock			39,049			38,658			39,049			38,658
	Class B common stock			988			988			988			988
	Unvested restricted stock			(130	)		(134	)		(130	)		(134	)
	Effect of weighted average shares outstanding during period			(25	)		(282	)		(118	)		(7,147	)
	Weighted average number of common shares - basic and diluted EPS			39,882			39,230			39,789			32,365
	Number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations due to loss from continuing operations (1)			2,272			1,998			2,272			1,998
	-1	Performance stock units are included at the expected attainment levels.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	9	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	We use a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of market prices and observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. In measuring the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, we rely on market data or assumptions which we believe market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability.
	Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value
	Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, restricted trust and escrow accounts, interest rate derivatives, contingent consideration associated with an acquisition, trade payables and long-term debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables approximate their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of the restricted trust and escrow accounts are included as restricted assets in the Level 1 tier below. The fair values of the interest rate derivatives, included in the Level 2 tier below, are calculated based on the three month LIBOR yield curve that is observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swaps, adjusted by the credit risk of our counter-parties and us based on observable credit default swap rates. We recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of contingent consideration associated with an acquisition, included in the Level 3 tier below as it is based on significant unobservable inputs, is calculated using a probability weighted estimated annualized gross margin for prospective customers that are contracted within the twelve month period after closing. The significant unobservable inputs include assumptions as to the likelihood of success with each prospective customer, along with each prospective customer’s sales revenues and direct costs. There have been no changes to these assumptions or the value of the contingent consideration from the acquisition date in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 through January 31, 2014.
	As of January 31, 2014 our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis included the following:
			Fair Value Measurement at January 31, 2014 Using:
			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
			Active Markets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Restricted assets		$	675	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—	$	3,137	$	—
	Contingent consideration - acquisition		$	—	$	—	$	844
	As of April 30, 2013 our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis included the following:
			Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2013 Using:
			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
			Active Markets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Restricted assets		$	545	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives		$	—	$	4,229	$	—
	Fair Value of Debt
	As of January 31, 2014, the fair value of our fixed rate debt, including our 7.75% senior subordinated notes due 2019 (“2019 Notes”), the Finance Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-2 (“FAME Bonds 2005R-2”) and the Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2013 (“Vermont Bonds”), was approximately 368,494 and the carrying value was $362,400. The fair value of the 2019 Notes is considered to be Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value is based off of a quoted market price in an active market. The fair value of the FAME Bonds 2005R-2 is considered to be Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value is determined using market approach pricing that utilizes pricing models and pricing systems, mathematical tools and judgment to determine the evaluated price for the security based on the market information of the FAME Bonds 2005R-2 or securities with similar characteristics. The fair value of the Vermont Bonds is considered to be Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value is determined based on changes in the pricing of an observable five year municipal bond index. As of January 31, 2014, the fair value of our 2011 senior secured revolving credit facility (“2011 Revolver”) approximated its carrying value of $137,300 based on current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	10	INCOME TAXES
	The benefit for income taxes for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2013 includes a ($5,242) deferred tax benefit due to a reduction of the valuation allowance. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we assessed the available means of recovering deferred tax assets, including the existence of reversing temporary differences. The valuation allowance decreased due to the recognition of additional reversing temporary differences from the $5,242 deferred tax liability recorded through goodwill related to the BBI acquisition. The $5,242 deferred tax liability related to the BBI acquisition was based on the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for income tax purposes. The provision for income taxes for the nine months ending January 31, 2014 and the remaining portion of the ($3,899) benefit for income taxes for the nine months ending January 31, 2013 include a $1,092 and $1,176 deferred tax provision, respectively, due mainly to the increase in the deferred tax liability for indefinite lived assets, and a $183 and $167 current tax provision, respectively. Since we cannot determine when the deferred tax liability related to indefinite lived assets will reverse, this amount cannot be used as a future source of taxable income against which to benefit deferred tax assets.

Development_Project_Charge

Development Project Charge	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Development Project Charge	'
	11	DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CHARGE
	In the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014, we recorded a charge of $1,440 for deferred costs associated with a gas pipeline development project in Maine no longer deemed viable. As of January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013, we had $0 and $1,644 of deferred costs associated with development projects included in other non-current assets within our consolidated balance sheets.

Severance_and_Reorganization

Severance and Reorganization	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Severance and Reorganization	'
	12	SEVERANCE AND REORGANIZATION
	In the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014, we recorded charges of $0 and $161 for severance costs associated with various planned reorganization efforts including the divestiture of Maine Energy Recovery Company LP (“Maine Energy”), see Note 13 for further disclosure.
	On August 8, 2012, we realigned our operations in order to streamline functions and improve our cost structure. Through the reorganization we enhanced certain aspects of the sales function to better facilitate customer service and retention, pricing growth, and support of strategic growth initiatives; better aligned transportation, route management and maintenance functions at the local level; and reduced corporate overhead and staff to match organizational needs and reduce costs. We recorded a severance and reorganization charge of $1,793 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.
	In the three months ended January 31, 2013, we recorded a $1,636 severance charge related primarily to the closing of Maine Energy, see Note 13 for further disclosure, and a reorganization of senior management.

Divestiture_and_Discontinued_O

Divestiture and Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Divestiture and Discontinued Operations	'
	13	DIVESTITURE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	We review planned business dispositions based on available information and events that have occurred to determine whether or not a business or disposal group qualifies for discontinued operations treatment. The review consists of evaluating whether the business qualifies as a component of an entity for which the operations and cash flows are clearly distinguishable; whether it is anticipated that the cash flows of the component have been or will be eliminated from ongoing operations after the disposal transaction and by the end of the assessment period; and whether we will have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction. Planned business dispositions are presented as discontinued operations when all three criteria are met. Additionally, we evaluate whether the component has met the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale. To be classified as held-for-sale, the criteria established by FASB ASC 360-10 must be met as of the reporting date, including an active program to market the business and the disposition of the business within one year. A business that has not been disposed of may not be classified as discontinued operations until the held-for-sale criteria are met. No depreciation is recorded during the periods in which a disposal group is classified as held-for-sale.
	Businesses that qualify as held-for-sale are carried at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell in the period the held-for-sale criteria are met. For a business that is classified as held-for-sale and meets the discontinued operations criteria, all initial or subsequent adjustments to the carrying value of the component are classified in discontinued operations.
	Discontinued Operations
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, we initiated a plan to dispose of KTI BioFuels, Inc. (“BioFuels”), a construction and demolition material processing facility located in Lewiston, Maine, and as a result, the assets associated with BioFuels were classified as held-for-sale and the results of operations were recorded as loss from discontinued operations. Assets of the disposal group previously classified as held-for-sale, and included in discontinued operations as of April 30, 2013, include certain inventory along with plant and equipment. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, we executed a purchase and sale agreement with ReEnergy Lewiston LLC (“ReEnergy”), pursuant to which we agreed to sell certain assets of BioFuels, which was located in our Eastern region, to ReEnergy. We agreed to sell the BioFuels assets for undiscounted purchase consideration of $2,000, which is being paid to us in equal quarterly installments over five years commencing November 1, 2013, subject to the terms of the purchase and sale agreement. We recognized a $378 loss on disposal of discontinued operations in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 associated with the disposition. Revenues and (loss) income before income taxes attributable to discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are as follows:
			Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
			January 31,					January 31,
			2014		2013			2014		2013
	Revenues		$	—	$	2,835		$	3,316	$	9,890
	(Loss) income before income taxes		$	—	$	(328	)	$	284	$	(779	)
	We allocate interest expense to discontinued operations. We have also eliminated inter-company activity associated with discontinued operations.
	Divestiture Transactions
	In the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, we executed a purchase and sale agreement with the City of Biddeford, Maine, pursuant to which we agreed to sell the real property of Maine Energy, which was located in our Eastern region, to the City of Biddeford, subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent and closing. We agreed to sell Maine Energy for undiscounted purchase consideration of $6,650, which is being paid to us in equal installments over 21 years, subject to the terms of the purchase and sale agreement. The transaction closed in November 2012, and we waived certain conditions precedent not satisfied at that time. In December 2012, we closed the Maine Energy facility and initiated the decommissioning process in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. In the three months ended January 31, 2013, we had recorded a charge to loss on divestiture of $353, which was subsequently reversed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 when we revised our estimated closing costs as more information became available to us. Following the decommissioning of the Maine Energy facility, it is our responsibility to demolish the facility, at our cost, within twelve months of the closing date and in accordance with the terms of the purchase and sale agreement. Demolition is nearly complete, pending final approval of work plans by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the time for completion has been consensually extended by Maine Energy and the City of Biddeford. We will continue to finalize estimates and obtain additional information regarding the estimated costs associated with the divestiture. Due to the inherent judgments and estimates regarding the remaining costs to fulfill our obligation under the purchase and sale agreement to demolish the facility and remediate the site, recognition of a loss on divestiture, which we do not expect, or a potential gain on divestiture is possible.
	As a part of the closure and decommissioning of the Maine Energy facility, we have withdrawn from a multiemployer pension plan to which we have made contributions for the benefit of Maine Energy employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement. We have a potential liability associated with our withdrawal from the multiemployer pension plan based on the value of the plan’s unfunded vested benefits. In accordance with FASB ASC 715-80, in a situation with unfunded vested benefits, a liability is not recorded by a participating employer as no single employer has an identifiable share of the actuarial obligation of the multiemployer pension plan. In accordance with FASB ASC 450-20, we accrue for an obligation when an obligation becomes probable and reasonably estimable. We currently believe that an obligation associated with withdrawal from the multiemployer pension plan is probable, but we cannot reasonably estimate the amount of loss or possible range of loss due to a lack of information being made available by the fund administrator in regards to the unfunded vested benefits. The fund administrator will quantify our withdrawal liability based on the unfunded vested benefits as of the plan year preceding actual withdrawal. As we withdrew from the plan in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, we expect the plan administrator to base our obligation on the plan year ended January 31, 2013. We expect to record an obligation associated with our portion of unfunded vested benefits in fiscal year 2014. As of January 31, 2014, no accrual is established related to withdrawal from the multiemployer pension plan and we believe that our share of any liability associated with the unfunded vested benefits will be immaterial.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	14	SEGMENT REPORTING
	We report selected information about operating segments in a manner consistent with that used for internal management reporting. We classify our solid waste operations on a geographic basis through regional operating segments. Revenues are derived mainly from collection, transfer, disposal, landfill, landfill-gas-to energy and recycling services in the northeastern United States. Our revenues in the Recycling segment are derived from municipalities and customers in the form of processing fees, tipping fees and commodity sales. Organics services, ancillary operations, major customer accounts, discontinued operations, and earnings from equity method investees are included in our Other segment. Segment data for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2013 has been revised to properly align with internal management reporting, which was modified in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 to move organics services from the Eastern region to the Other segment to reflect changes in management structure as these services have become integral to service offerings across our broader geographic solid waste footprint.
	Three Months Ended January 31, 2014
	Segment		Outside		Inter-company			Depreciation and		Operating			Total assets
			revenues		revenue			amortization		income (loss)
	Eastern		$	35,132	$	9,043		$	5,875	$	(3,122	)	$	204,330
	Western			50,745		16,829			6,828		3,315			345,677
	Recycling			10,160		(44	)		1,056		(1,529	)		48,859
	Other			21,815		463			637		38			70,576
	Eliminations			—		(26,291	)		—		—			—
	Total		$	117,852	$	—		$	14,396	$	(1,298	)	$	669,442
	Three Months Ended January 31, 2013
	Segment		Outside		Inter-company			Depreciation and		Operating			Total assets
			revenues		revenue			amortization		income (loss)
	Eastern		$	32,311	$	7,158		$	5,791	$	(2,783	)	$	199,251
	Western			50,274		15,954			6,590		3,937			353,418
	Recycling			10,702		41			1,067		(120	)		51,814
	Other			18,880		736			516		(956	)		68,670
	Eliminations			—		(23,889	)		—		—			—
	Total		$	112,167	$	—		$	13,964	$	78		$	673,153
	Nine Months Ended January 31, 2014
	Segment		Outside		Inter-company			Depreciation and		Operating			Total assets
			revenues		revenue			amortization		income (loss)
	Eastern		$	114,059	$	29,517		$	18,947	$	706		$	204,330
	Western			166,315		54,983			21,373		17,422			345,677
	Recycling			32,850		(76	)		3,195		(1,724	)		48,859
	Other			65,482		1,466			1,746		1,485			70,576
	Eliminations			—		(85,890	)		—		—			—
	Total		$	378,706	$	—		$	45,261	$	17,889		$	669,442
	Nine Months Ended January 31, 2013
	Segment		Outside		Inter-company			Depreciation and		Operating			Total assets
			revenues		revenue			amortization		income (loss)
	Eastern		$	99,165	$	23,162		$	18,512	$	(4,385	)	$	199,251
	Western			157,212		49,901			19,707		16,975			353,418
	Recycling			31,674		77			3,244		(606	)		51,814
	Other			58,590		3,247			1,781		(1,674	)		68,670
	Eliminations			—		(76,387	)		—		—			—
	Total		$	346,641	$	—		$	43,244	$	10,310		$	673,153
	Amounts of our total revenue attributable to services provided are as follows:
			Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
			January 31,					January 31,
			2014		2013			2014		2013
	Collection		$	54,276	$	51,459		$	171,520	$	157,124
	Disposal			28,907		27,219			101,404		90,569
	Power generation			2,791		3,400			6,813		8,856
	Processing			1,806		2,111			7,169		5,150
	Solid waste operations			87,780		84,189			286,906		261,699
	Organics			8,777		8,725			28,128		25,972
	Customer solutions			11,135		8,551			30,822		27,296
	Recycling			10,160		10,702			32,850		31,674
	Total revenues		$	117,852	$	112,167		$	378,706	$	346,641

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	'
	15	INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES
	Investments in unconsolidated entities over which we have significant influence over the investees’ operating and financing activities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Investments in affiliates in which we do not have the ability to exert significant influence over the investees’ operating and financing activities are accounted for under the cost method of accounting. The following table summarizes our equity and cost method investments as of January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013:
			January 31,		April 30,
			2014		2013
	Equity method investments		$	—	$	3,766
	Cost method investments			16,752		16,486
	Investments in unconsolidated entities		$	16,752	$	20,252
	Equity Method Investments
	GreenFiber. In fiscal year 2001, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (“LP”) to combine our respective cellulose insulation businesses into a single operating entity, US GreenFiber LLC (“GreenFiber”). On December 5, 2013, we and LP executed a purchase and sale agreement with a limited liability company formed by Tenex Capital Partners, L.P., pursuant to which we and LP agreed to sell our membership interests in GreenFiber for total cash consideration of $18,000 plus an expected working capital true up less any indebtedness and other unpaid transaction costs of GreenFiber as of the closing date. The transaction was completed on December 5, 2013 for $19,194 in gross cash proceeds, including a $1,194 working capital adjustment. After netting indebtedness of GreenFiber and transaction costs, our 50% of the net cash proceeds amounted to $3,442, of which $597 is recorded as a receivable within other current assets as of January 31, 2014. Considering the $593 impact of our unrealized losses relating to derivative instruments in accumulated other comprehensive loss on our investment in GreenFiber, we recorded a gain on sale of equity method investment of $593 in the three months ended January 31, 2014. We had previously accounted for our 50% membership interest in GreenFiber using the equity method of accounting.
	Tompkins. In May 2011, we finalized the terms of a joint venture agreement with FCR, LLC (“FCR”) to form Tompkins, a joint venture that operates a material recovery facility (“MRF”) located in Tompkins County, NY and processes and sells commodities delivered to the Tompkins MRF. On December 31, 2013, we agreed to purchase the membership interest of Tompkins for total cash consideration of $425. The acquisition-date fair value of our investment in Tompkins, which was determined using the cost approach based on an assessment of the price to purchase the acquired assets of Tompkins, prior to the acquisition date was $238.We recognized a $44 gain through loss from equity method investments due to the remeasurement. As a result of the purchase, we no longer account our investment in Tompkins using the equity method of accounting and began including the accounts of Tompkins in our consolidated financial statements.

Subsidiary_Guarantors

Subsidiary Guarantors	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Subsidiary Guarantors	'
	16	SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
	Our 2019 Notes are guaranteed jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, by our significant wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Parent is the issuer and a non-guarantor of the 2019 Notes and the Parent has no independent assets or operations. The information which follows presents the condensed consolidating financial position as of January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013, the consolidating results of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 of (a) the Parent company only, (b) the combined guarantors (“Guarantors”), each of which is wholly-owned by the Parent, (c) the combined non-guarantors (“Non-Guarantors”), (d) eliminating entries and (e) the consolidated total.
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF JANUARY 31, 2014
	(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
	ASSETS		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
									Guarantors
	CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,427		$	258		$	27		$	—		$	2,712
	Restricted cash			—			76			—			—			76
	Accounts receivable - trade, net			303			49,803			224			—			50,330
	Refundable income taxes			608			—			—			—			608
	Prepaid expenses			2,750			5,388			11			—			8,149
	Inventory			—			4,344			52			—			4,396
	Deferred income taxes			3,149			—			—			—			3,149
	Other current assets			909			928			7			—			1,844
	Current assets of discontinued operations			—			353			—			—			353
	Total current assets			10,146			61,150			321			—			71,617
	Property, plant and equipment, net			4,823			407,639			8,307			—			420,769
	Goodwill			—			119,064			—			—			119,064
	Intangible assets, net			181			13,991			—			—			14,172
	Restricted assets			—			675			—			—			675
	Investments in unconsolidated entities			16,752			1,932			—			(1,932	)		16,752
	Investments in subsidiaries			(38,787	)		—			—			38,787			—
	Other non-current assets			14,563			10,267			—			—			24,830
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations			—			1,563			—			—			1,563
				(2,468	)		555,131			8,307			36,855			597,825
	Intercompany receivable			559,064			(522,104	)		(38,892	)		1,932			—
			$	566,742		$	94,177		$	(30,264	)	$	38,787		$	669,442
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
									Guarantors
	CURRENT LIABILITIES:
	Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases		$	83		$	351		$	—		$	—		$	434
	Current maturities of financing lease obligations			—			380			—			—			380
	Accounts payable			16,444			24,829			726			—			41,999
	Accrued payroll and related expenses			402			3,918			1			—			4,321
	Accrued interest			12,931			12			—			—			12,943
	Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs			—			5,711			3			—			5,714
	Other accrued liabilities			7,949			11,582			334			—			19,865
	Total current liabilities			37,809			46,783			1,064			—			85,656
	Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities			508,236			1,523			—			—			509,759
	Financing lease obligations, less current maturities			—			1,169			—			—			1,169
	Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion			—			41,180			40			—			41,220
	Deferred income taxes			7,108			—			—			—			7,108
	Other long-term liabilities			10,863			7,169			85			—			18,117
	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
	Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity			2,726			(3,647	)		(35,140	)		38,787			2,726
	Noncontrolling interests			—			—			3,687			—			3,687
	Total stockholders’ equity			2,726			(3,647	)		(31,453	)		38,787			6,413
			$	566,742		$	94,177		$	(30,264	)	$	38,787		$	669,442
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF APRIL 30, 2013
	(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
	ASSETS		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
									Guarantors
	CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,260		$	253		$	242		$	—		$	1,755
	Restricted cash			—			76			—						76
	Accounts receivable - trade, net			571			47,644			474			—			48,689
	Refundable income taxes			128			—			—			—			128
	Prepaid expenses			1,471			4,240			—			—			5,711
Inventory			—			3,440			54			—			3,494
Deferred income taxes			3,730			—			—			—			3,730
Other current assets			366			528			7			—			901
Current assets of discontinued operations			—			61			—			—			61
Total current assets			7,526			56,242			777			—			64,545
Property, plant and equipment, net			2,771			411,284			8,447			—			422,502
Goodwill			—			115,928			—			—			115,928
Intangible assets, net			249			11,425			—			—			11,674
Restricted assets			—			545			—			—			545
Notes receivable - related party/employee			147			—			—			—			147
Investments in unconsolidated entities			16,486			2,189			3,509			(1,932	)		20,252
Investments in subsidiaries			(59,759	)		—			—			59,759			—
Other non-current assets			15,774			11,752			—			—			27,526
			(24,332	)		553,123			11,956			57,827			598,574
Intercompany receivable			580,328			(539,752	)		(42,508	)		1,932			—
		$	563,522		$	69,613		$	(29,775	)	$	59,759		$	663,119
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases		$	—		$	857		$	—		$	—		$	857
Current maturities of financing lease obligations			—			361			—			—			361
Accounts payable			23,492			27,847			635			—			51,974
Accrued payroll and related expenses			538			3,445			—			—			3,983
Accrued interest			6,071			3			—			—			6,074
Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs			—			3,832			3			—			3,835
Other accrued liabilities			10,001			10,896			117			—			21,014
Total current liabilities			40,102			47,241			755			—			88,098
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities			492,965			566			—			—			493,531
Financing lease obligations, less current maturities			—			1,456			—			—			1,456
Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion			—			39,298			37			—			39,335
Deferred income taxes			6,798			—			—			—			6,798
Other long-term liabilities			12,372			6,078			—			—			18,450
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity			11,285			(25,026	)		(34,733	)		59,759			11,285
Noncontrolling interests			—			—			4,166			—			4,166
Total stockholders’ equity			11,285			(25,026	)		(30,567	)		59,759			15,451
		$	563,522		$	69,613		$	(29,775	)	$	59,759		$	663,119
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Revenues		$	—		$	117,441		$	411		$	—		$	117,852
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations			(26	)		86,791			837			—			87,602
General and administration			(15	)		15,394			(18	)		—			15,361
Depreciation and amortization			262			13,953			181			—			14,396
Development project charge			—			1,440			—			—			1,440
Environmental remediation charge			—			250			—			—			250
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs			—			101			—			—			101
			221			117,929			1,000			—			119,150
Operating income (loss)			(221	)		(488	)		(589	)		—			(1,298	)
Other expense (income), net:
Interest income			(3	)		(106	)		—			—			(109	)
Interest expense			9,576			(8	)		—			—			9,568
(Income) loss from equity method investments			78			(71	)		183			(78	)		112
(Gain) loss on sale of equity method investment			—			—			(593	)		—			(593	)
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments			233			—			—			—			233
Other income			(11	)		(121	)		—			—			(132	)
Other expense, net			9,873			(306	)		(410	)		(78	)		9,079
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			(10,094	)		(182	)		(179	)		78			(10,377	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			656			—			—			—			656
Net income (loss)			(10,750	)		(182	)		(179	)		78			(11,033	)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(283	)		—			(283	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(10,750	)	$	(182	)	$	104		$	78		$	(10,750	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Revenues		$	—		$	111,464		$	703		$	—		$	112,167
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations			12			80,755			669			—			81,436
General and administration			(63	)		14,364			27			—			14,328
Depreciation and amortization			236			13,548			180			—			13,964
Severance and reorganization costs			849			787			—			—			1,636
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs			—			372			—			—			372
Loss on divestiture			—			353			—			—			353
			1,034			110,179			876			—			112,089
Operating income (loss)			(1,034	)		1,285			(173	)		—			78
Other expense (income), net:
Interest income			(8,275	)		(49	)		—			8,274			(50	)
Interest expense			9,422			8,061			—			(8,274	)		9,209
(Income) loss from equity method investments			8,480			43			1,393			(8,480	)		1,436
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments			(24	)		—			—			—			(24	)
Loss on debt extinguishment			5,914			—			—			—			5,914
Other income			(181	)		(117	)		—			—			(298	)
Other expense, net			15,336			7,938			1,393			(8,480	)		16,187
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			(16,370	)		(6,653	)		(1,566	)		8,480			(16,109	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			(4,963	)		—			—			—			(4,963	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			(11,407	)		(6,653	)		(1,566	)		8,480			(11,146	)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net			—			(328	)		—			—			(328	)
Net income (loss)			(11,407	)		(6,981	)		(1,566	)		8,480			(11,474	)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(67	)		—			(67	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(11,407	)	$	(6,981	)	$	(1,499	)	$	8,480		$	(11,407	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Revenues		$	—		$	376,864		$	1,842		$	—		$	378,706
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations			(25	)		264,311			2,279			—			266,565
General and administration			733			46,107			24			—			46,864
Depreciation and amortization			700			44,006			555			—			45,261
Development project charge			—			1,440			—			—			1,440
Environmental remediation charge			—			400			—			—			400
Severance and reorganization costs			4			157			—			—			161
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs			—			126			—			—			126
			1,412			356,547			2,858			—			360,817
Operating income (loss)			(1,412	)		20,317			(1,016	)		—			17,889
Other expense (income), net:
Interest income			(3	)		(219	)		—			—			(222	)
Interest expense			28,539			23			—			—			28,562
(Income) loss from equity method investments			(19,852	)		(107	)		1,105			19,852			998
(Gain) loss on sale of equity method investment			—			—			(593	)		—			(593	)
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments			208			—			—			—			208
Other income			(298	)		(363	)		(1	)		—			(662	)
Other expense, net			8,594			(666	)		511			19,852			28,291
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			(10,006	)		20,983			(1,527	)		(19,852	)		(10,402	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			1,275			—			—			—			1,275
Income (loss) from continuing operations			(11,281	)		20,983			(1,527	)		(19,852	)		(11,677	)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net			—			284			—			—			284
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net			—			(378	)		—			—			(378	)
Net income (loss)			(11,281	)		20,889			(1,527	)		(19,852	)		(11,771	)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(490	)		—			(490	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(11,281	)	$	20,889		$	(1,037	)	$	(19,852	)	$	(11,281	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Revenues		$	—		$	345,493		$	1,148		$	—		$	346,641
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations			4			243,569			1,294			—			244,867
General and administration			(60	)		43,404			57			—			43,401
Depreciation and amortization			770			42,233			241			—			43,244
Severance and reorganization costs			1,766			1,697			—			—			3,463
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs			303			700			—			—			1,003
Loss on divestiture			—			353			—			—			353
			2,783			331,956			1,592			—			336,331
Operating income (loss)			(2,783	)		13,537			(444	)		—			10,310
Other expense (income), net:
Interest income			(24,515	)		(64	)		—			24,511			(68	)
Interest expense			33,000			23,926			—			(24,511	)		32,415
(Income) loss from equity method investments			14,324			(14	)		3,325			(14,324	)		3,311
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments			3,871			—			—			—			3,871
Loss on debt extinguishment			15,584			—			—			—			15,584
Other income			(401	)		(336	)		—			—			(737	)
Other expense, net			41,863			23,512			3,325			(14,324	)		54,376
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			(44,646	)		(9,975	)		(3,769	)		14,324			(44,066	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			(3,899	)		—			—			—			(3,899	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			(40,747	)		(9,975	)		(3,769	)		14,324			(40,167	)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net			—			(779	)		—			—			(779	)
Net income (loss)			(40,747	)		(10,754	)		(3,769	)		14,324			(40,946	)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(199	)		—			(199	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(40,747	)	$	(10,754	)	$	(3,570	)	$	14,324		$	(40,747	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Net income (loss)		$	(10,750	)	$	(182	)	$	(179	)	$	78		$	(11,033	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments			—			—			533			—			533
Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings			—			—			310			—			310
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities			—			(8	)		—			—			(8	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			—			(8	)		843			—			835
Comprehensive income (loss)			(10,750	)		(190	)		664			78			(10,198	)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(283	)		—			(283	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(10,750	)	$	(190	)	$	947		$	78		$	(9,915	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Net income (loss)		$	(11,407	)	$	(6,981	)	$	(1,566	)	$	8,480		$	(11,474	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments			—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings			—			—			149			—			149
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities			—			(11	)		—			—			(11	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			—			(11	)		138			—			127
Comprehensive income (loss)			(11,407	)		(6,992	)		(1,428	)		8,480			(11,347	)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(67	)		—			(67	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(11,407	)	$	(6,992	)	$	(1,361	)	$	8,480		$	(11,280	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Net income (loss)		$	(11,281	)	$	20,889		$	(1,527	)	$	(19,852	)	$	(11,771	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments			—			—			(35	)		—			(35	)
Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings			—			—			655			—			655
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities			—			10			—			—			10
Other comprehensive income (loss)			—			10			620			—			630
Comprehensive income (loss)			(11,281	)		20,899			(907	)		(19,852	)		(11,141	)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(490	)		—			(490	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(11,281	)	$	20,899		$	(417	)	$	(19,852	)	$	(10,651	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Net income (loss)		$	(40,747	)	$	(10,754	)	$	(3,769	)	$	14,324		$	(40,946	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments			(1,257	)		—			(1,553	)		—			(2,810	)
Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings			3,625			—			514			—			4,139
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities			—			4			—			—			4
Other comprehensive income (loss)			2,368			4			(1,039	)		—			1,333
Comprehensive income (loss)			(38,379	)		(10,750	)		(4,808	)		14,324			(39,613	)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			—			—			(199	)		—			(199	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(38,379	)	$	(10,750	)	$	(4,609	)	$	14,324		$	(39,414	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	(31,037	)	$	68,515		$	200		$	—		$	37,678
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—			(8,519	)		—			—			(8,519	)
Additions to property, plant and equipment     - acquisition			—			(2,440	)		—			—			(2,440	)
- growth			—			(3,894	)		(415	)		—			(4,309	)
- maintenance			(1,380	)		(28,542	)		—			—			(29,922	)
Payments on landfill operating lease contracts			—			(6,052	)		—			—			(6,052	)
Investments in unconsolidated entities			(2,107	)		—			—			—			(2,107	)
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment			2,845			—			—			—			2,845
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			—			1,248			—			—			1,248
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(642	)		(48,199	)		(415	)		—			(49,256	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			120,890			—			—			—			120,890
Principal payments on long-term debt			(106,854	)		(980	)		—			—			(107,834	)
Payments of financing costs			(404	)		—			—			—			(404	)
Intercompany borrowings			19,214			(19,194	)		—			—			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			32,846			(20,214	)		—			—			12,652
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations			—			(117	)		—			—			(117	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			1,167			5			(215	)		—			957
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			1,260			253			242			—			1,755
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	2,427		$	258		$	27		$	—		$	2,712
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	(3,983	)	$	34,962		$	192		$	—		$	31,171
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			—			(25,106	)		—			—			(25,106	)
Additions to property, plant and equipment    - acquisition			—			(528	)		—			—			(528	)
- growth			—			(5,471	)		(4,885	)		—			(10,356	)
- maintenance			(233	)		(32,199	)		—			—			(32,432	)
Payments on landfill operating lease contracts			—			(5,726	)		—			—			(5,726	)
Payment for capital related to divestiture			—			(618	)		—			—			(618	)
Investments in unconsolidated entities			(1,000	)		(3,196	)		3,196			—			(1,000	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			—			781			—			—			781
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(1,233	)		(72,063	)		(1,689	)		—			(74,985	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			334,497			—			—			—			334,497
Principal payments on long-term debt			(319,365	)		(1,118	)		—			—			(320,483	)
Payment of tender premium and costs on second lien notes			(10,743	)		—			—			—			(10,743	)
Payments on financing costs			(4,572	)		—			—			—			(4,572	)
Net proceeds from the sale of class A common stock			42,184			—			—			—			42,184
Excess tax benefit on the vesting of share based awards			98			—			—			—			98
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders			—			—			1,195			—			1,195
Intercompany borrowings			(39,862	)		39,862			—			—			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			2,237			38,744			1,195			—			42,176
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations			—			(1,784	)		—			—			(1,784	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(2,979	)		(141	)		(302	)		—			(3,422	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			3,799			368			367			—			4,534
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	820		$	227		$	65		$	—		$	1,112

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Policies Adopted and Pending Adoption	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption
	Income Taxes
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update for the reporting of an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The update provides an exception, requiring the unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in the financial statements as a liability when the carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax laws to settle additional income taxes that would result for the disallowance of a tax provision or the tax laws do not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose. This guidance is effective prospectively, with retrospective application permitted, for annual periods, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this standard.
	Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
	Comprehensive Income
	In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update for the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). This guidance requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items in net income (loss) or in the notes to consolidated financial statements if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income (loss). For other amounts not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income (loss) in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance effective May 1, 2013 and it has not had, and we believe it will not have, a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 7 for presentation of the information required by this accounting standards update.
	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Impairment Test
	In July 2012, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment testing. This guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, then the entity will not need to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350-30. This guidance is effective for annual and interim indefinite-lived assets impairment tests performed for annual reporting periods beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance effective May 1, 2013 and it has not had, and we believe it will not have, a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Consolidation	'
	Our joint venture partner in CARES is Altela, Inc. In accordance with ASC 810-10-15, we consolidate the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interest and results of operations of CARES into our consolidated financial statements due to our controlling financial interest in the joint venture.

Business_Acquisitions_Tables

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation to Net Assets Acquired	'
	The purchase price allocated to net assets acquired and the residual amount allocated to goodwill during the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended
		January 31,
		2014			2013
	Equipment	$	2,013		$	9,403
	Goodwill		3,108			14,575
	Intangible assets		4,302			9,601
	Current assets		814			1,475
	Current liabilities		(241	)		(7,118	)
	Total	$	9,996		$	27,936
Schedule of Unaudited Proforma Combined Financial Information	'
	The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information shows the results of our operations for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 as though each of the acquisitions made in the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and the twelve months ended April 30, 2013 had occurred as of May 1, 2012.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		January 31,						January 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenue	$	118,210		$	116,385		$	382,786		$	366,889
	Operating (loss) income	$	(1,215	)	$	584		$	18,671		$	12,227
	Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(10,721	)	$	(11,274	)	$	(10,965	)	$	(40,537	)
	Basic and diluted loss per common share attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.27	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(1.25	)
	Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding		39,882			39,230			39,789			32,365

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Activity and Balances Related to Goodwill	'
	The following table shows the activity and balances related to goodwill from April 30, 2013 through January 31, 2014:
			April 30,				Acquisitions				January 31,
			2013								2014
	Eastern region (1)		$	16,858			$	558			$	17,416
	Western region			86,880				786				87,666
	Recycling			12,190				63				12,253
	Other			—				1,729				1,729
	Total		$	115,928			$	3,136			$	119,064
	-1	Included in Eastern region acquisitions activity is a $33 adjustment related to the December 5, 2012 BBI acquisition due to a finalization of the deferred tax liability for BBI at acquisition.
Components of Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets as of January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013 consist of the following:
			Covenants				Client Lists				Total
			Not-to-Compete
	Balance, January 31, 2014
	Intangible assets		$	17,245			$	15,760			$	33,005
	Less accumulated amortization			(15,224	)			(3,609	)			(18,833	)
			$	2,021			$	12,151			$	14,172
			Covenants				Client Lists				Total
			Not-to-Compete
	Balance, April 30, 2013
	Intangible assets		$	17,043			$	11,660			$	28,703
	Less accumulated amortization			(14,800	)			(2,229	)			(17,029	)
			$	2,243			$	9,431			$	11,674
Estimated Amortization Expenses	'
	Intangible amortization expense for the three and the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 was $695, $353, $1,804 and $751, respectively. The intangible amortization expense estimated for the five fiscal years following fiscal year 2013 and thereafter is as follows:
	2014				2015				2016				2017		2018		Thereafter
	$	750			$	2,927			$	2,314			$	1,874	$	1,652	$	4,655

Accrued_Capping_Closure_and_Po1

Accrued Capping, Closure and Post Closure (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes to Accrued Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Liabilities	'
	The changes to accrued capping, closure and post-closure liabilities for the nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended
		January 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	43,170		$	39,629
	Obligations incurred		2,935			2,606
	Accretion expense		2,981			2,653
	Payments		(2,152	)		(2,304	)
	Ending balance	$	46,934		$	42,584

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended January 31, 2014 is as follows:
			Stock Options			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
						Average			Average			Intrinsic Value
						Exercise Price			Remaining
									Contractual
									Term (years)
	Outstanding, April 30, 2013			1,442		$	8.48
	Granted			157		$	5.65
	Exercised			—		$	—					$	—
	Forfeited			(158	)	$	7.28
	Outstanding, January 31, 2014			1,441		$	8.47			5.2		$	613
	Exercisable, January 31, 2014			1,033		$	10.05			3.6		$	301
Schedule of Fair Values of Stock Options Weighted Average Assumptions	'
	The fair value of stock options grants were estimated assuming no expected dividend yield using the following weighted average assumptions for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Stock Options:
	Expected life			6.79 years			6.79 years			6.79 years			6.79 years
	Risk-free interest rate			2.22	%		1.04	%		2.22	%		1.04	%
	Expected volatility			83.96	%		84.55	%		83.96	%		84.55	%
Summary of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Stock Unit Activity	'
	A summary of restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance stock unit activity for the nine months ended January 31, 2014 is as follows:
			Restricted Stock,			Weighted			Weighted Average			Aggregate
			Restricted Stock Units,			Average			Remaining			Intrinsic
			and Performance Stock			Grant			Contractual Term			Value
			Units (1)			Price			(years)
	Outstanding, April 30, 2013			1,088		$	5.28
	Granted			539		$	4.27
	Class A Common Stock Vested			(323	)	$	4.88
	Forfeited			(21	)	$	4.55
	Outstanding, January 31, 2014			1,283		$	4.97			1.5		$	521
	-1	Performance stock units are included at the 100% attainment level. Attainment of maximum annual returns on net assets could result in the issuance of an additional 354 shares of Class A common stock.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The change in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is included as a component of our stockholders’ equity, is as follows:
			Marketable			Commodity
			Securities			Hedges
	Beginning balance, April 30, 2013		$	27		$	(619	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			11			(36	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			—			655
	Net current-period other comprehensive income			11			619
	Ending balance, January 31, 2014		$	38		$	—
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	A summary of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			January 31,
			2014			2013
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive		Amount Reclassified Out of						Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
	Income (Loss) Components		Accumulated Other Comprehensive						Statements of Operations
			Income (Loss)
	Loss on derivative instruments:
	Interest rate contracts		$	—		$	—		Loss on derivative instruments
	Commodity hedges			(60	)		(149	)	Loss from equity method investments
				(60	)		(149	)	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations
				(250	)		—		Provision for income taxes
			$	(310	)	$	(149	)	Loss from continuing operations
			Nine Months Ended
			January 31,
			2014			2013
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive		Amount Reclassified Out of						Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
	Income (Loss) Components		Accumulated Other Comprehensive						Statements of Operations
			Income (Loss)
	Loss on derivative instruments:
	Interest rate contracts		$	—		$	(3,625	)	Loss on derivative instruments
	Commodity hedges			(405	)		(514	)	Loss from equity method investments
				(405	)		(4,139	)	Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations
				(250	)		—		Provision for income taxes
			$	(655	)	$	(4,139	)	Loss from continuing operations

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Numerator and Denominator Used in Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			January 31,						January 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Loss from continuing operations before discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders		$	(10,750	)	$	(11,079	)	$	(11,187	)	$	(39,968	)
	Denominator:
	Number of shares outstanding, end of period:
	Class A common stock			39,049			38,658			39,049			38,658
	Class B common stock			988			988			988			988
	Unvested restricted stock			(130	)		(134	)		(130	)		(134	)
	Effect of weighted average shares outstanding during period			(25	)		(282	)		(118	)		(7,147	)
	Weighted average number of common shares - basic and diluted EPS			39,882			39,230			39,789			32,365
	Number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations due to loss from continuing operations (1)			2,272			1,998			2,272			1,998
	-1	Performance stock units are included at the expected attainment levels.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	As of January 31, 2014 our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis included the following:
		Fair Value Measurement at January 31, 2014 Using:
		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		Active Markets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Restricted assets	$	675	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	3,137	$	—
	Contingent consideration - acquisition	$	—	$	—	$	844
	As of April 30, 2013 our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis included the following:
		Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2013 Using:
		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		Active Markets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Restricted assets	$	545	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	4,229	$	—

Divestiture_and_Discontinued_O1

Divestiture and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Revenues and Loss Before Income Taxes Attributable to Discontinued Operations	'
	the disposition. Revenues and (loss) income before income taxes attributable to discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		January 31,					January 31,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Revenues	$	—	$	2,835		$	3,316	$	9,890
	(Loss) income before income taxes	$	—	$	(328	)	$	284	$	(779	)

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment	'
	Segment data for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2013 has been revised to properly align with internal management reporting, which was modified in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 to move organics services from the Eastern region to the Other segment to reflect changes in management structure as these services have become integral to service offerings across our broader geographic solid waste footprint.
	Three Months Ended January 31, 2014
	Segment	Outside		Inter-company			Depreciation and		Operating			Total assets
		revenues		revenue			amortization		income (loss)
	Eastern	$	35,132	$	9,043		$	5,875	$	(3,122	)	$	204,330
	Western		50,745		16,829			6,828		3,315			345,677
	Recycling		10,160		(44	)		1,056		(1,529	)		48,859
	Other		21,815		463			637		38			70,576
	Eliminations		—		(26,291	)		—		—			—
	Total	$	117,852	$	—		$	14,396	$	(1,298	)	$	669,442
	Three Months Ended January 31, 2013
	Segment	Outside		Inter-company			Depreciation and		Operating			Total assets
		revenues		revenue			amortization		income (loss)
	Eastern	$	32,311	$	7,158		$	5,791	$	(2,783	)	$	199,251
	Western		50,274		15,954			6,590		3,937			353,418
	Recycling		10,702		41			1,067		(120	)		51,814
	Other		18,880		736			516		(956	)		68,670
	Eliminations		—		(23,889	)		—		—			—
	Total	$	112,167	$	—		$	13,964	$	78		$	673,153
	Nine Months Ended January 31, 2014
	Segment	Outside		Inter-company			Depreciation and		Operating			Total assets
		revenues		revenue			amortization		income (loss)
	Eastern	$	114,059	$	29,517		$	18,947	$	706		$	204,330
	Western		166,315		54,983			21,373		17,422			345,677
	Recycling		32,850		(76	)		3,195		(1,724	)		48,859
	Other		65,482		1,466			1,746		1,485			70,576
	Eliminations		—		(85,890	)		—		—			—
	Total	$	378,706	$	—		$	45,261	$	17,889		$	669,442
	Nine Months Ended January 31, 2013
	Segment	Outside		Inter-company			Depreciation and		Operating			Total assets
		revenues		revenue			amortization		income (loss)
	Eastern	$	99,165	$	23,162		$	18,512	$	(4,385	)	$	199,251
	Western		157,212		49,901			19,707		16,975			353,418
	Recycling		31,674		77			3,244		(606	)		51,814
	Other		58,590		3,247			1,781		(1,674	)		68,670
	Eliminations		—		(76,387	)		—		—			—
	Total	$	346,641	$	—		$	43,244	$	10,310		$	673,153
Summary of Revenue Attributable to Services Provided by Company	'
	Amounts of our total revenue attributable to services provided are as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		January 31,					January 31,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Collection	$	54,276	$	51,459		$	171,520	$	157,124
	Disposal		28,907		27,219			101,404		90,569
	Power generation		2,791		3,400			6,813		8,856
	Processing		1,806		2,111			7,169		5,150
	Solid waste operations		87,780		84,189			286,906		261,699
	Organics		8,777		8,725			28,128		25,972
	Customer solutions		11,135		8,551			30,822		27,296
	Recycling		10,160		10,702			32,850		31,674
	Total revenues	$	117,852	$	112,167		$	378,706	$	346,641

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_1

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Equity and Cost Method Investments	'
	The following table summarizes our equity and cost method investments as of January 31, 2014 and April 30, 2013:
		January 31,		April 30,
		2014		2013
	Equity method investments	$	—	$	3,766
	Cost method investments		16,752		16,486
	Investments in unconsolidated entities	$	16,752	$	20,252

Subsidiary_Guarantors_Tables

Subsidiary Guarantors (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF JANUARY 31, 2014
	(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
	ASSETS	Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,427		$	258		$	27		$	—		$	2,712
	Restricted cash		—			76			—			—			76
	Accounts receivable - trade, net		303			49,803			224			—			50,330
	Refundable income taxes		608			—			—			—			608
	Prepaid expenses		2,750			5,388			11			—			8,149
	Inventory		—			4,344			52			—			4,396
	Deferred income taxes		3,149			—			—			—			3,149
	Other current assets		909			928			7			—			1,844
	Current assets of discontinued operations		—			353			—			—			353
	Total current assets		10,146			61,150			321			—			71,617
	Property, plant and equipment, net		4,823			407,639			8,307			—			420,769
	Goodwill		—			119,064			—			—			119,064
	Intangible assets, net		181			13,991			—			—			14,172
	Restricted assets		—			675			—			—			675
	Investments in unconsolidated entities		16,752			1,932			—			(1,932	)		16,752
	Investments in subsidiaries		(38,787	)		—			—			38,787			—
	Other non-current assets		14,563			10,267			—			—			24,830
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations		—			1,563			—			—			1,563
			(2,468	)		555,131			8,307			36,855			597,825
	Intercompany receivable		559,064			(522,104	)		(38,892	)		1,932			—
		$	566,742		$	94,177		$	(30,264	)	$	38,787		$	669,442
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	CURRENT LIABILITIES:
	Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	$	83		$	351		$	—		$	—		$	434
	Current maturities of financing lease obligations		—			380			—			—			380
	Accounts payable		16,444			24,829			726			—			41,999
	Accrued payroll and related expenses		402			3,918			1			—			4,321
	Accrued interest		12,931			12			—			—			12,943
	Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs		—			5,711			3			—			5,714
	Other accrued liabilities		7,949			11,582			334			—			19,865
	Total current liabilities		37,809			46,783			1,064			—			85,656
	Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities		508,236			1,523			—			—			509,759
	Financing lease obligations, less current maturities		—			1,169			—			—			1,169
	Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion		—			41,180			40			—			41,220
	Deferred income taxes		7,108			—			—			—			7,108
	Other long-term liabilities		10,863			7,169			85			—			18,117
	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
	Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity		2,726			(3,647	)		(35,140	)		38,787			2,726
	Noncontrolling interests		—			—			3,687			—			3,687
	Total stockholders’ equity		2,726			(3,647	)		(31,453	)		38,787			6,413
		$	566,742		$	94,177		$	(30,264	)	$	38,787		$	669,442
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF APRIL 30, 2013
	(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
	ASSETS	Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,260		$	253		$	242		$	—		$	1,755
	Restricted cash		—			76			—						76
	Accounts receivable - trade, net		571			47,644			474			—			48,689
	Refundable income taxes		128			—			—			—			128
	Prepaid expenses		1,471			4,240			—			—			5,711
	Inventory		—			3,440			54			—			3,494
	Deferred income taxes		3,730			—			—			—			3,730
Other current assets		366			528			7			—			901
Current assets of discontinued operations		—			61			—			—			61
Total current assets		7,526			56,242			777			—			64,545
Property, plant and equipment, net		2,771			411,284			8,447			—			422,502
Goodwill		—			115,928			—			—			115,928
Intangible assets, net		249			11,425			—			—			11,674
Restricted assets		—			545			—			—			545
Notes receivable - related party/employee		147			—			—			—			147
Investments in unconsolidated entities		16,486			2,189			3,509			(1,932	)		20,252
Investments in subsidiaries		(59,759	)		—			—			59,759			—
Other non-current assets		15,774			11,752			—			—			27,526
		(24,332	)		553,123			11,956			57,827			598,574
Intercompany receivable		580,328			(539,752	)		(42,508	)		1,932			—
	$	563,522		$	69,613		$	(29,775	)	$	59,759		$	663,119
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
							Guarantors
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	$	—		$	857		$	—		$	—		$	857
Current maturities of financing lease obligations		—			361			—			—			361
Accounts payable		23,492			27,847			635			—			51,974
Accrued payroll and related expenses		538			3,445			—			—			3,983
Accrued interest		6,071			3			—			—			6,074
Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs		—			3,832			3			—			3,835
Other accrued liabilities		10,001			10,896			117			—			21,014
Total current liabilities		40,102			47,241			755			—			88,098
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities		492,965			566			—			—			493,531
Financing lease obligations, less current maturities		—			1,456			—			—			1,456
Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion		—			39,298			37			—			39,335
Deferred income taxes		6,798			—			—			—			6,798
Other long-term liabilities		12,372			6,078			—			—			18,450
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders’ equity		11,285			(25,026	)		(34,733	)		59,759			11,285
Noncontrolling interests		—			—			4,166			—			4,166
Total stockholders’ equity		11,285			(25,026	)		(30,567	)		59,759			15,451
	$	563,522		$	69,613		$	(29,775	)	$	59,759		$	663,119
Schedule of Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Revenues	$	—		$	117,441		$	411		$	—		$	117,852
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of operations		(26	)		86,791			837			—			87,602
	General and administration		(15	)		15,394			(18	)		—			15,361
	Depreciation and amortization		262			13,953			181			—			14,396
	Development project charge		—			1,440			—			—			1,440
	Environmental remediation charge		—			250			—			—			250
	Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs		—			101			—			—			101
			221			117,929			1,000			—			119,150
	Operating income (loss)		(221	)		(488	)		(589	)		—			(1,298	)
	Other expense (income), net:
	Interest income		(3	)		(106	)		—			—			(109	)
	Interest expense		9,576			(8	)		—			—			9,568
	(Income) loss from equity method investments		78			(71	)		183			(78	)		112
	(Gain) loss on sale of equity method investment		—			—			(593	)		—			(593	)
	(Gain) loss on derivative instruments		233			—			—			—			233
	Other income		(11	)		(121	)		—			—			(132	)
	Other expense, net		9,873			(306	)		(410	)		(78	)		9,079
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(10,094	)		(182	)		(179	)		78			(10,377	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		656			—			—			—			656
	Net income (loss)		(10,750	)		(182	)		(179	)		78			(11,033	)
	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(283	)		—			(283	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(10,750	)	$	(182	)	$	104		$	78		$	(10,750	)
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Revenues	$	—		$	111,464		$	703		$	—		$	112,167
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of operations		12			80,755			669			—			81,436
	General and administration		(63	)		14,364			27			—			14,328
	Depreciation and amortization		236			13,548			180			—			13,964
	Severance and reorganization costs		849			787			—			—			1,636
	Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs		—			372			—			—			372
	Loss on divestiture		—			353			—			—			353
			1,034			110,179			876			—			112,089
	Operating income (loss)		(1,034	)		1,285			(173	)		—			78
	Other expense (income), net:
	Interest income		(8,275	)		(49	)		—			8,274			(50	)
	Interest expense		9,422			8,061			—			(8,274	)		9,209
	(Income) loss from equity method investments		8,480			43			1,393			(8,480	)		1,436
	(Gain) loss on derivative instruments		(24	)		—			—			—			(24	)
	Loss on debt extinguishment		5,914			—			—			—			5,914
	Other income		(181	)		(117	)		—			—			(298	)
	Other expense, net		15,336			7,938			1,393			(8,480	)		16,187
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(16,370	)		(6,653	)		(1,566	)		8,480			(16,109	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(4,963	)		—			—			—			(4,963	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		(11,407	)		(6,653	)		(1,566	)		8,480			(11,146	)
	Discontinued operations:
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net		—			(328	)		—			—			(328	)
	Net income (loss)		(11,407	)		(6,981	)		(1,566	)		8,480			(11,474	)
	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(67	)		—			(67	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(11,407	)	$	(6,981	)	$	(1,499	)	$	8,480		$	(11,407	)
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
							Guarantors
Revenues	$	—		$	376,864		$	1,842		$	—		$	378,706
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations		(25	)		264,311			2,279			—			266,565
General and administration		733			46,107			24			—			46,864
Depreciation and amortization		700			44,006			555			—			45,261
Development project charge		—			1,440			—			—			1,440
Environmental remediation charge		—			400			—			—			400
Severance and reorganization costs		4			157			—			—			161
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs		—			126			—			—			126
		1,412			356,547			2,858			—			360,817
Operating income (loss)		(1,412	)		20,317			(1,016	)		—			17,889
Other expense (income), net:
Interest income		(3	)		(219	)		—			—			(222	)
Interest expense		28,539			23			—			—			28,562
(Income) loss from equity method investments		(19,852	)		(107	)		1,105			19,852			998
(Gain) loss on sale of equity method investment		—			—			(593	)		—			(593	)
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments		208			—			—			—			208
Other income		(298	)		(363	)		(1	)		—			(662	)
Other expense, net		8,594			(666	)		511			19,852			28,291
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(10,006	)		20,983			(1,527	)		(19,852	)		(10,402	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		1,275			—			—			—			1,275
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(11,281	)		20,983			(1,527	)		(19,852	)		(11,677	)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net		—			284			—			—			284
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net		—			(378	)		—			—			(378	)
Net income (loss)		(11,281	)		20,889			(1,527	)		(19,852	)		(11,771	)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(490	)		—			(490	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(11,281	)	$	20,889		$	(1,037	)	$	(19,852	)	$	(11,281	)
CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(in thousands)
	Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
							Guarantors
Revenues	$	—		$	345,493		$	1,148		$	—		$	346,641
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations		4			243,569			1,294			—			244,867
General and administration		(60	)		43,404			57			—			43,401
Depreciation and amortization		770			42,233			241			—			43,244
Severance and reorganization costs		1,766			1,697			—			—			3,463
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs		303			700			—			—			1,003
Loss on divestiture		—			353			—			—			353
		2,783			331,956			1,592			—			336,331
Operating income (loss)		(2,783	)		13,537			(444	)		—			10,310
Other expense (income), net:
Interest income		(24,515	)		(64	)		—			24,511			(68	)
Interest expense		33,000			23,926			—			(24,511	)		32,415
(Income) loss from equity method investments		14,324			(14	)		3,325			(14,324	)		3,311
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments		3,871			—			—			—			3,871
Loss on debt extinguishment		15,584			—			—			—			15,584
Other income		(401	)		(336	)		—			—			(737	)
Other expense, net		41,863			23,512			3,325			(14,324	)		54,376
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(44,646	)		(9,975	)		(3,769	)		14,324			(44,066	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(3,899	)		—			—			—			(3,899	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(40,747	)		(9,975	)		(3,769	)		14,324			(40,167	)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net		—			(779	)		—			—			(779	)
Net income (loss)		(40,747	)		(10,754	)		(3,769	)		14,324			(40,946	)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(199	)		—			(199	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(40,747	)	$	(10,754	)	$	(3,570	)	$	14,324		$	(40,747	)
Schedule of Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Net income (loss)	$	(10,750	)	$	(182	)	$	(179	)	$	78		$	(11,033	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments		—			—			533			—			533
	Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings		—			—			310			—			310
	Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities		—			(8	)		—			—			(8	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(8	)		843			—			835
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(10,750	)		(190	)		664			78			(10,198	)
	Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(283	)		—			(283	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(10,750	)	$	(190	)	$	947		$	78		$	(9,915	)
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Net income (loss)	$	(11,407	)	$	(6,981	)	$	(1,566	)	$	8,480		$	(11,474	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments		—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)
	Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings		—			—			149			—			149
	Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities		—			(11	)		—			—			(11	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(11	)		138			—			127
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(11,407	)		(6,992	)		(1,428	)		8,480			(11,347	)
	Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(67	)		—			(67	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(11,407	)	$	(6,992	)	$	(1,361	)	$	8,480		$	(11,280	)
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Net income (loss)	$	(11,281	)	$	20,889		$	(1,527	)	$	(19,852	)	$	(11,771	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments		—			—			(35	)		—			(35	)
	Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings		—			—			655			—			655
	Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities		—			10			—			—			10
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			10			620			—			630
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(11,281	)		20,899			(907	)		(19,852	)		(11,141	)
	Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(490	)		—			(490	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(11,281	)	$	20,899		$	(417	)	$	(19,852	)	$	(10,651	)
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Net income (loss)	$	(40,747	)	$	(10,754	)	$	(3,769	)	$	14,324		$	(40,946	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
	Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments		(1,257	)		—			(1,553	)		—			(2,810	)
	Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings		3,625			—			514			—			4,139
	Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities		—			4			—			—			4
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,368			4			(1,039	)		—			1,333
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(38,379	)		(10,750	)		(4,808	)		14,324			(39,613	)
	Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			(199	)		—			(199	)
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(38,379	)	$	(10,750	)	$	(4,609	)	$	14,324		$	(39,414	)
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(31,037	)	$	68,515		$	200		$	—		$	37,678
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(8,519	)		—			—			(8,519	)
	Additions to property, plant and equipment     - acquisition		—			(2,440	)		—			—			(2,440	)
	- growth		—			(3,894	)		(415	)		—			(4,309	)
	- maintenance		(1,380	)		(28,542	)		—			—			(29,922	)
	Payments on landfill operating lease contracts		—			(6,052	)		—			—			(6,052	)
	Investments in unconsolidated entities		(2,107	)		—			—			—			(2,107	)
	Proceeds from sale of equity method investment		2,845			—			—			—			2,845
	Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		—			1,248			—			—			1,248
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(642	)		(48,199	)		(415	)		—			(49,256	)
	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Proceeds from long-term borrowings		120,890			—			—			—			120,890
	Principal payments on long-term debt		(106,854	)		(980	)		—			—			(107,834	)
	Payments of financing costs		(404	)		—			—			—			(404	)
	Intercompany borrowings		19,214			(19,194	)		—			—			—
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		32,846			(20,214	)		—			—			12,652
	Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations		—			(117	)		—			—			(117	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		1,167			5			(215	)		—			957
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		1,260			253			242			—			1,755
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	2,427		$	258		$	27		$	—		$	2,712
	CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Parent			Guarantors			Non-			Elimination			Consolidated
								Guarantors
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(3,983	)	$	34,962		$	192		$	—		$	31,171
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		—			(25,106	)		—			—			(25,106	)
	Additions to property, plant and equipment    - acquisition		—			(528	)		—			—			(528	)
	- growth		—			(5,471	)		(4,885	)		—			(10,356	)
	- maintenance		(233	)		(32,199	)		—			—			(32,432	)
	Payments on landfill operating lease contracts		—			(5,726	)		—			—			(5,726	)
	Payment for capital related to divestiture		—			(618	)		—			—			(618	)
	Investments in unconsolidated entities		(1,000	)		(3,196	)		3,196			—			(1,000	)
	Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		—			781			—			—			781
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(1,233	)		(72,063	)		(1,689	)		—			(74,985	)
	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Proceeds from long-term borrowings		334,497			—			—			—			334,497
	Principal payments on long-term debt		(319,365	)		(1,118	)		—			—			(320,483	)
	Payment of tender premium and costs on second lien notes		(10,743	)		—			—			—			(10,743	)
	Payments on financing costs		(4,572	)		—			—			—			(4,572	)
	Net proceeds from the sale of class A common stock		42,184			—			—			—			42,184
	Excess tax benefit on the vesting of share based awards		98			—			—			—			98
	Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders		—			—			1,195			—			1,195
	Intercompany borrowings		(39,862	)		39,862			—			—			—
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		2,237			38,744			1,195			—			42,176
	Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations		—			(1,784	)		—			—			(1,784	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(2,979	)		(141	)		(302	)		—			(3,422	)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,799			368			367			—			4,534
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	820		$	227		$	65		$	—		$	1,112

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014
	Segment
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Operating segments	2

Business_Acquisitions_Addition

Business Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
	Property	Property
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business acquisition, advanced customer billings	$483,000	'
Business acquisition, stock value	'	2,650,000
Recycling [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Total consideration	425,000	'
Membership interest acquired	50.00%	'
Western Region [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number of businesses acquired	3	4
Total consideration	2,541,000	5,384,000
Business acquisition, cash	2,026,000	4,854,000
Business acquisition, advanced customer billings	36,000	'
Business acquisition, hold backs to sellers	479,000	530,000
Eastern Region [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Total consideration	4,298,000	22,650,000
Business acquisition, cash	4,089,000	20,000,000
Business acquisition, advanced customer billings	209,000	'
Business acquisition, stock value	'	2,650,000
Deferred tax liability recorded through goodwill	'	5,242,000
Eastern Region [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business acquisition, shares	'	625
Other Region [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Total consideration	2,494,000	'
Business acquisition, cash	1,320,000	'
Business acquisition, hold backs to sellers	330,000	'
Business combination consideration transferred contingent consideration	844,000	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired intangible assets, amortization period	'5 years	'5 years
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired intangible assets, amortization period	'10 years	'10 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Region [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business combination consideration transferred contingent consideration, upper limit	$1,000,000	'

Business_Acquisitions_Schedule

Business Acquisitions - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation to Net Assets Acquired (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			BBI Acquisition [Member]	BBI Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equipment	'	'	$2,013	$9,403
Goodwill	119,064	115,928	3,108	14,575
Intangible assets	'	'	4,302	9,601
Current assets	'	'	814	1,475
Current liabilities	'	'	-241	-7,118
Total	'	'	$9,996	$27,936

Business_Acquisitions_Schedule1

Business Acquisitions - Schedule of Unaudited Proforma Combined Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$118,210	$116,385	$382,786	$366,889
Operating (loss) income	-1,215	584	18,671	12,227
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	($10,721)	($11,274)	($10,965)	($40,537)
Basic and diluted loss per common share attributable to common stockholders	($0.27)	($0.29)	($0.28)	($1.25)
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding	39,882	39,230	39,789	32,365

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Activity and Balances Related to Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	$115,928
Acquisitions	3,136
Goodwill, ending balance	119,064
Eastern Region [Member]	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	16,858
Acquisitions	558
Goodwill, ending balance	17,416
Western Region [Member]	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	86,880
Acquisitions	786
Goodwill, ending balance	87,666
Recycling [Member]	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	12,190
Acquisitions	63
Goodwill, ending balance	12,253
Other [Member]	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	'
Acquisitions	1,729
Goodwill, ending balance	$1,729

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Activity and Balances Related to Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Eastern Region [Member], Bestway Disposal Services and BBI Waste Services [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
Eastern Region [Member] | Bestway Disposal Services and BBI Waste Services [Member]	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Adjustment related to the December 5, 2012	$33
Business acquisition date	5-Dec-12

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Components of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets	$33,005	$28,703
Less accumulated amortization	-18,833	-17,029
Intangible assets, net	14,172	11,674
Covenants Not-to-Compete [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets	17,245	17,043
Less accumulated amortization	-15,224	-14,800
Intangible assets, net	2,021	2,243
Client Lists [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets	15,760	11,660
Less accumulated amortization	-3,609	-2,229
Intangible assets, net	$12,151	$9,431

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Intangible amortization expenses	$695	$353	$1,804	$751

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets6

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible amortization expenses for 2014	$750
Intangible amortization expenses for 2015	2,927
Intangible amortization expenses for 2016	2,314
Intangible amortization expenses for 2017	1,874
Intangible amortization expenses for 2018	1,652
Intangible amortization expenses for Thereafter	$4,655

Accrued_Capping_Closure_and_Po2

Accrued Capping, Closure and Post Closure - Changes to Accrued Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Beginning balance	$43,170	$39,629
Obligations incurred	2,935	2,606
Accretion expense	2,981	2,653
Payments	-2,152	-2,304
Ending balance	$46,934	$42,584

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jun. 25, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Write off Deferred Financing Costs [Member]

Write off Unamortized Original Issue Discount [Member]

Tender Premium and Tender Fees [Member]

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Second Lien Notes [Member]

Second Lien Notes [Member]

Second Lien Notes [Member]

Second Lien Notes [Member]

Second Lien Notes [Member]

Second Lien Notes [Member]

Write off Deferred Financing Costs [Member]

Write off Unamortized Original Issue Discount [Member]

Tender Premium and Tender Fees [Member]

Proforma Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

18-Mar-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Covenants, description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'These covenants restrict fiscal year capital expenditures to 1.1 times our consolidated depreciation expense, depletion expense and landfill amortization expense, and set a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.25, a maximum consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio of 5.85 and a maximum senior funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio of 2.50

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ratio of restricted capital expenditure

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

Coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.85

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on debt extinguishments

$5,914

$15,584

'

'

'

'

'

$5,914

'

$15,584

$2,767

$2,074

$10,743

Amount of refinancing 11% senior second lien notes due 2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

180,000

'

180,000

'

'

'

Debt instrument interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

'

11.00%

'

'

'

Debt instrument maturity year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2014

'

'

'

'

Write off of deferred financing costs

'

'

1,100

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Write off discount

'

'

'

816

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Charge associated with the early tender premium

'

'

'

'

$3,998

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2010

Apr. 30, 2009

Jan. 31, 2009

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

31-May-09

Dec. 20, 2000

Sep. 30, 2011

Nov. 30, 2011

Jan. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Potsdam Environmental Liability [Member]

Southbridge Landfill [Member]

Southbridge Landfill [Member]

acre

Waste-Stream Inc [Member]

Motors Liquidation Trust [Member]

Condition One [Member]

Condition One [Member]

Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Scrap yard and solid waste transfer station

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25

'

'

'

'

Estimate of total undiscounted costs associated with implementing the preferred remedies

'

'

'

'

$12,130

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10,219

'

'

'

'

'

Environmental remediation charge

250

400

'

'

549

335

1,532

2,823

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250

400

Percentage of environmental remediation cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

30.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Environmental remediation liability

'

'

5,406

'

'

'

'

'

5,406

'

5,297

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accretion expense

'

'

34

34

'

'

'

'

103

103

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of risk free interest rate

'

'

2.70%

'

'

'

'

'

2.70%

'

2.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future remediation costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000

100

'

'

Anticipated remediation costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,100

Loss contingency range of possible loss minimum

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400

400

Loss contingency range of possible loss maximum

$864

$864

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,100

$2,100

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2007
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Expiration period of options granted	'	'	'	'	'10 years
Stock-based compensation expense	$155	$123	$359	$285	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	961	'	961	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period	'	'	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'	'
Performance Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Awarded certain employees	'	'	0	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	0	'	0	'	'
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	465	109	1,431	1,201	'
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period	'	'	'1 year 10 months 24 days	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	2,402	'	2,402	'	'
Performance Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted average period	'	'	'10 months 24 days	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	4,082	'	4,082	'	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$21	$22	$61	$75	'
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period from date of grant	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period from date of grant	'	'	'1 year	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period from date of grant	'	'	'4 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period from date of grant	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Class A Common Stock [Member] | 2006 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, issued shares	'	'	'	'	2,475
Number of shares available for future grant	1,072	'	1,072	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Options, Outstanding, April 30, 2013	1,442
Stock Options, Granted	157
Stock Options, Exercised	'
Stock Options, Forfeited	-158
Stock Options, Outstanding, January 31, 2014	1,441
Stock Options, Exercisable, January 31, 2014	1,033
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, April 30, 2013	$8.48
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$5.65
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited	$7.28
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, January 31,2014	$8.47
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable, January 31,2014	$10.05
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Outstanding	'5 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Exercisable	'3 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding, January 31, 2014	$613
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Exercisable, January 31, 2014	$301

Stockholders_Equity_Schedule_o

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Fair Values of Stock Options Weighted Average Assumptions (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Stock Options:	'	'	'	'
Expected life	'6 years 9 months 15 days	'6 years 9 months 15 days	'6 years 9 months 15 days	'6 years 9 months 15 days
Risk-free interest rate	2.22%	1.04%	2.22%	1.04%
Expected volatility	83.96%	84.55%	83.96%	84.55%

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of1

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Restricted Stock Restricted Stock Unit And Performance Stock Unit Activity [Line Items]	'
Weighted Average Grant Price, Outstanding, April 30, 2013	$5.28
Weighted Average Grant Price, Granted	$4.27
Weighted Average Grant Price, Forfeited	$4.55
Weighted Average Grant Price, Outstanding, January 31, 2014	$4.97
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Outstanding	'1 year 6 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, January 31, 2014	$521
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'
Schedule Of Restricted Stock Restricted Stock Unit And Performance Stock Unit Activity [Line Items]	'
Weighted Average Grant Price Common Stock, Vested	$4.88
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units [Member]	'
Schedule Of Restricted Stock Restricted Stock Unit And Performance Stock Unit Activity [Line Items]	'
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units Outstanding, April 30, 2013	1,088
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units, Granted	539
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units, Forfeited	-21
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units Outstanding, January 31, 2014	1,283
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]	'
Schedule Of Restricted Stock Restricted Stock Unit And Performance Stock Unit Activity [Line Items]	'
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units Common Stock, Vested	-323

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of2

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit and Performance Stock Unit Activity (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Performance Stock Units [Member])	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014
Performance Stock Units [Member]	'
Schedule Of Restricted Stock Restricted Stock Unit And Performance Stock Unit Activity [Line Items]	'
Performance stock units, percentage of attainment level	100.00%
Common stock additional issue	354

Stockholders_Equity_Accumulate

Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, April 30, 2013	'	'	($592)	'
Other comprehensive income	835	127	630	1,333
Ending balance, January 31, 2014	38	'	38	'
Marketable Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, April 30, 2013	'	'	27	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	11	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	11	'
Ending balance, January 31, 2014	38	'	38	'
Commodity Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, April 30, 2013	'	'	-619	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	-36	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	655	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	$619	'

Stockholders_Equity_Reclassifi

Stockholders' Equity - Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss on derivative instruments	($233)	$24	($208)	($3,871)
Loss from equity method investments	-112	-1,436	-998	-3,311
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations	-10,377	-16,109	-10,402	-44,066
Provision for income taxes	656	-4,963	1,275	-3,899
Loss from continuing operations	-11,033	-11,146	-11,677	-40,167
Commodity Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations	-60	-149	-405	-4,139
Provision for income taxes	-250	'	-250	'
Loss from continuing operations	-310	-149	-655	-4,139
Commodity Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Contracts [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss on derivative instruments	'	'	'	-3,625
Commodity Hedges [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss from equity method investments	($60)	($149)	($405)	($514)

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Numerator and Denominator Used in Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
					Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]
Numerator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss from continuing operations before discontinued operations attributable to common stockholders	($10,750)	($11,079)	($11,187)	($39,968)	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares outstanding, end of period:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	39,049,000	38,662,000	38,658,000	988,000	988,000	988,000
Unvested restricted stock	-130,000	-134,000	-130,000	-134,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effect of weighted average shares outstanding during period	-25,000	-282,000	-118,000	-7,147,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of common shares - basic and diluted EPS	39,882,000	39,230,000	39,789,000	32,365,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations due to loss from continuing operations	2,272,000	1,998,000	2,272,000	1,998,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Restricted assets	$675	$545
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Restricted assets	675	545
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate derivatives	'	'
Contingent consideration - acquisition	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Restricted assets	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate derivatives	3,137	4,229
Contingent consideration - acquisition	'	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Restricted assets	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate derivatives	'	'
Contingent consideration - acquisition	$844	'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Carrying value of revolving Debt	$137,300
2019 Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Stated percentage of senior subordinate notes	7.75%
Fixed Rate Bonds [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Fair value of fixed rate debt	368,494
Carrying value of fixed rate debt	$362,400

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$656	($4,963)	$1,275	($3,899)
Provisions for income taxes deferred	'	'	1,088	-4,057
Provision for income taxes current	'	'	183	167
BBI Acquisition [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax benefit due to reduction in valuation allowance	'	-5,242	'	-5,242
Deferred tax liability recorded through goodwill	'	5,242	'	5,242
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	'	'	'	-3,899
Provisions for income taxes deferred	'	'	$1,092	$1,176

Development_Project_Charge_Add

Development Project Charge - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Research And Development [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred costs associated with development projects	$1,440	$1,440	'
Deferred project costs	$0	$0	$1,644

Severance_and_Reorganization_A

Severance and Reorganization - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Reorganizations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Severance and reorganization charges	$0	$1,793	$1,636	$161	$3,463

Divestiture_and_Discontinued_O2

Divestiture and Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Divestitures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Undiscounted purchase consideration paid in installments	'5 years	'	'21 years	'	'
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	($378)	'	'	($378)	'
Loss on divestiture	'	353	'	'	353
Bio Fuels Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Divestitures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Undiscounted purchase consideration	2,000	'	'	'	'
Maine Energy Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Divestitures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Undiscounted purchase consideration	'	'	6,650	'	'

Divestiture_and_Discontinued_O3

Divestiture and Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Revenues and Loss Before Income Taxes Attributable to Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	$2,835	$3,316	$9,890
(Loss) income before income taxes	'	($328)	$284	($779)

Segment_Reporting_Summary_of_F

Segment Reporting - Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$117,852	$112,167	$378,706	$346,641	'
Depreciation and amortization	14,396	13,964	45,261	43,244	'
Operating income (loss)	-1,298	78	17,889	10,310	'
Total assets	669,442	673,153	669,442	673,153	663,119
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	117,852	112,167	378,706	346,641	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Eastern Region [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	35,132	32,311	114,059	99,165	'
Depreciation and amortization	5,875	5,791	18,947	18,512	'
Operating income (loss)	-3,122	-2,783	706	-4,385	'
Total assets	204,330	199,251	204,330	199,251	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Western Region [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	50,745	50,274	166,315	157,212	'
Depreciation and amortization	6,828	6,590	21,373	19,707	'
Operating income (loss)	3,315	3,937	17,422	16,975	'
Total assets	345,677	353,418	345,677	353,418	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Recycling [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	10,160	10,702	32,850	31,674	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,056	1,067	3,195	3,244	'
Operating income (loss)	-1,529	-120	-1,724	-606	'
Total assets	48,859	51,814	48,859	51,814	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	21,815	18,880	65,482	58,590	'
Depreciation and amortization	637	516	1,746	1,781	'
Operating income (loss)	38	-956	1,485	-1,674	'
Total assets	70,576	68,670	70,576	68,670	'
Inter-Company Revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	'	'	'	'	'
Inter-Company Revenue [Member] | Eastern Region [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	9,043	7,158	29,517	23,162	'
Inter-Company Revenue [Member] | Western Region [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	16,829	15,954	54,983	49,901	'
Inter-Company Revenue [Member] | Recycling [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	-44	41	-76	77	'
Inter-Company Revenue [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	463	736	1,466	3,247	'
Inter-Company Revenue [Member] | Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	($26,291)	($23,889)	($85,890)	($76,387)	'

Segment_Reporting_Summary_of_R

Segment Reporting - Summary of Revenue Attributable to Services Provided by Company (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$117,852	$112,167	$378,706	$346,641
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	117,852	112,167	378,706	346,641
Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	87,780	84,189	286,906	261,699
Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste Operations [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Collection [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	54,276	51,459	171,520	157,124
Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste Operations [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Disposal [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	28,907	27,219	101,404	90,569
Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste Operations [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Power Generation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	2,791	3,400	6,813	8,856
Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste Operations [Member] | Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Processing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,806	2,111	7,169	5,150
Operating Segments [Member] | Organics [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	8,777	8,725	28,128	25,972
Operating Segments [Member] | Customer Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	11,135	8,551	30,822	27,296
Operating Segments [Member] | Recycling [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$10,160	$10,702	$32,850	$31,674

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_2

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Equity and Cost Method Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Equity method investments	'	$3,766
Cost method investments	16,752	16,486
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$16,752	$20,252

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_3

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 05, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
			GreenFiber [Member]	GreenFiber [Member]	Tompkins County Recycling LLC [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total cash consideration	'	'	$18,000	'	'
Gross cash proceeds	'	'	19,194	'	'
Working capital adjustment	'	'	1,194	'	'
Percentage of net cash proceeds	'	'	50.00%	'	'
Net cash proceeds	'	'	3,442	'	'
Unrealized loss	'	'	593	'	'
Gain on sale of equity method investment	593	593	'	593	'
Percentage of equity-method ownership interest	'	'	50.00%	'	'
Amount recorded as receivable within other current assets	'	'	'	597	'
Equity contribution	'	'	'	'	425
Price to purchase acquired assets prior to the acquisition date	'	'	'	'	238
Gain through loss from equity method investments	'	'	'	'	$44

Subsidiary_Guarantors_Schedule

Subsidiary Guarantors - Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,712	$1,755	$1,112	$4,534
Restricted cash	76	76	'	'
Accounts receivable - trade, net	50,330	48,689	'	'
Refundable income taxes	608	128	'	'
Prepaid expenses	8,149	5,711	'	'
Inventory	4,396	3,494	'	'
Deferred income taxes	3,149	3,730	'	'
Other current assets	1,844	901	'	'
Current assets of discontinued operations	353	61	'	'
Total current assets	71,617	64,545	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	420,769	422,502	'	'
Goodwill	119,064	115,928	'	'
Intangible assets, net	14,172	11,674	'	'
Restricted assets	675	545	'	'
Notes receivable - related party/employee	'	147	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	16,752	20,252	'	'
Other non-current assets	24,830	27,526	'	'
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	1,563	'	'	'
Total non-current assets	597,825	598,574	'	'
Total assets	669,442	663,119	673,153	'
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	434	857	'	'
Current maturities of financing lease obligations	380	361	'	'
Accounts payable	41,999	51,974	'	'
Accrued payroll and related expenses	4,321	3,983	'	'
Accrued interest	12,943	6,074	'	'
Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs	5,714	3,835	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	19,865	21,014	'	'
Total current liabilities	85,656	88,098	'	'
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities	509,759	493,531	'	'
Financing lease obligations, less current maturities	1,169	1,456	'	'
Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion	41,220	39,335	'	'
Deferred income taxes	7,108	6,798	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	18,117	18,450	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'	'	'
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,726	11,285	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	3,687	4,166	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	6,413	15,451	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	669,442	663,119	'	'
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	2,427	1,260	820	3,799
Accounts receivable - trade, net	303	571	'	'
Refundable income taxes	608	128	'	'
Prepaid expenses	2,750	1,471	'	'
Deferred income taxes	3,149	3,730	'	'
Other current assets	909	366	'	'
Total current assets	10,146	7,526	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,823	2,771	'	'
Intangible assets, net	181	249	'	'
Notes receivable - related party/employee	'	147	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	16,752	16,486	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	-38,787	-59,759	'	'
Other non-current assets	14,563	15,774	'	'
Total non-current assets	-2,468	-24,332	'	'
Intercompany receivable	559,064	580,328	'	'
Total assets	566,742	563,522	'	'
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	83	'	'	'
Accounts payable	16,444	23,492	'	'
Accrued payroll and related expenses	402	538	'	'
Accrued interest	12,931	6,071	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	7,949	10,001	'	'
Total current liabilities	37,809	40,102	'	'
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities	508,236	492,965	'	'
Deferred income taxes	7,108	6,798	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	10,863	12,372	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'	'	'
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,726	11,285	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	2,726	11,285	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	566,742	563,522	'	'
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	258	253	227	368
Restricted cash	76	76	'	'
Accounts receivable - trade, net	49,803	47,644	'	'
Prepaid expenses	5,388	4,240	'	'
Inventory	4,344	3,440	'	'
Other current assets	928	528	'	'
Current assets of discontinued operations	353	61	'	'
Total current assets	61,150	56,242	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	407,639	411,284	'	'
Goodwill	119,064	115,928	'	'
Intangible assets, net	13,991	11,425	'	'
Restricted assets	675	545	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	1,932	2,189	'	'
Other non-current assets	10,267	11,752	'	'
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	1,563	'	'	'
Total non-current assets	555,131	553,123	'	'
Intercompany receivable	-522,104	-539,752	'	'
Total assets	94,177	69,613	'	'
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	351	857	'	'
Current maturities of financing lease obligations	380	361	'	'
Accounts payable	24,829	27,847	'	'
Accrued payroll and related expenses	3,918	3,445	'	'
Accrued interest	12	3	'	'
Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs	5,711	3,832	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	11,582	10,896	'	'
Total current liabilities	46,783	47,241	'	'
Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities	1,523	566	'	'
Financing lease obligations, less current maturities	1,169	1,456	'	'
Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion	41,180	39,298	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	7,169	6,078	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'	'	'
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	-3,647	-25,026	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-3,647	-25,026	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	94,177	69,613	'	'
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	27	242	65	367
Accounts receivable - trade, net	224	474	'	'
Prepaid expenses	11	'	'	'
Inventory	52	54	'	'
Other current assets	7	7	'	'
Total current assets	321	777	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,307	8,447	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	3,509	'	'
Total non-current assets	8,307	11,956	'	'
Intercompany receivable	-38,892	-42,508	'	'
Total assets	-30,264	-29,775	'	'
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	726	635	'	'
Accrued payroll and related expenses	1	'	'	'
Current accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs	3	3	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	334	117	'	'
Total current liabilities	1,064	755	'	'
Accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion	40	37	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	85	'	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'	'	'
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	-35,140	-34,733	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	3,687	4,166	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-31,453	-30,567	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	-30,264	-29,775	'	'
Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	-1,932	-1,932	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	38,787	59,759	'	'
Total non-current assets	36,855	57,827	'	'
Intercompany receivable	1,932	1,932	'	'
Total assets	38,787	59,759	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'	'	'
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	38,787	59,759	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	38,787	59,759	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$38,787	$59,759	'	'

Subsidiary_Guarantors_Schedule1

Subsidiary Guarantors - Schedule of Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$117,852	'	'	$112,167	$378,706	$346,641
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of operations	87,602	'	'	81,436	266,565	244,867
General and administration	15,361	'	'	14,328	46,864	43,401
Depreciation and amortization	14,396	'	'	13,964	45,261	43,244
Development project charge	1,440	'	'	'	1,440	'
Environmental remediation charge	250	'	'	'	400	'
Severance and reorganization costs	0	1,793	'	1,636	161	3,463
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs	101	'	'	372	126	1,003
Loss on divestiture	'	'	'	353	'	353
Total operating expenses	119,150	'	'	112,089	360,817	336,331
Operating income (loss)	-1,298	'	'	78	17,889	10,310
Other expense (income), net:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	-109	'	'	-50	-222	-68
Interest expense	9,568	'	'	9,209	28,562	32,415
(Income) loss from equity method investments	112	'	'	1,436	998	3,311
(Gain) loss on sale of equity method investment	-593	'	'	'	-593	'
Loss (gain) on derivative instruments	233	'	'	-24	208	3,871
Loss on debt extinguishment	'	'	'	5,914	'	15,584
Other income	-132	'	'	-298	-662	-737
Other expense, net	9,079	'	'	16,187	28,291	54,376
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-10,377	'	'	-16,109	-10,402	-44,066
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	656	'	'	-4,963	1,275	-3,899
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-11,033	'	'	-11,146	-11,677	-40,167
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net	'	'	'	-328	284	-779
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net	'	'	-378	'	-378	'
Net income (loss)	-11,033	'	'	-11,474	-11,771	-40,946
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-283	'	'	-67	-490	-199
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-10,750	'	'	-11,407	-11,281	-40,747
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of operations	-26	'	'	12	-25	4
General and administration	-15	'	'	-63	733	-60
Depreciation and amortization	262	'	'	236	700	770
Severance and reorganization costs	'	'	'	849	4	1,766
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs	'	'	'	'	'	303
Total operating expenses	221	'	'	1,034	1,412	2,783
Operating income (loss)	-221	'	'	-1,034	-1,412	-2,783
Other expense (income), net:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	-3	'	'	-8,275	-3	-24,515
Interest expense	9,576	'	'	9,422	28,539	33,000
(Income) loss from equity method investments	78	'	'	8,480	-19,852	14,324
Loss (gain) on derivative instruments	233	'	'	-24	208	3,871
Loss on debt extinguishment	'	'	'	5,914	'	15,584
Other income	-11	'	'	-181	-298	-401
Other expense, net	9,873	'	'	15,336	8,594	41,863
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-10,094	'	'	-16,370	-10,006	-44,646
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	656	'	'	-4,963	1,275	-3,899
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	-11,407	-11,281	-40,747
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-10,750	'	'	-11,407	-11,281	-40,747
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-10,750	'	'	-11,407	-11,281	-40,747
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	117,441	'	'	111,464	376,864	345,493
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of operations	86,791	'	'	80,755	264,311	243,569
General and administration	15,394	'	'	14,364	46,107	43,404
Depreciation and amortization	13,953	'	'	13,548	44,006	42,233
Development project charge	1,440	'	'	'	1,440	'
Environmental remediation charge	250	'	'	'	400	'
Severance and reorganization costs	'	'	'	787	157	1,697
Expense from divestiture, acquisition and financing costs	101	'	'	372	126	700
Loss on divestiture	'	'	'	353	'	353
Total operating expenses	117,929	'	'	110,179	356,547	331,956
Operating income (loss)	-488	'	'	1,285	20,317	13,537
Other expense (income), net:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	-106	'	'	-49	-219	-64
Interest expense	-8	'	'	8,061	23	23,926
(Income) loss from equity method investments	-71	'	'	43	-107	-14
Other income	-121	'	'	-117	-363	-336
Other expense, net	-306	'	'	7,938	-666	23,512
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-182	'	'	-6,653	20,983	-9,975
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	-6,653	20,983	-9,975
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net	'	'	'	-328	284	-779
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net	'	'	'	'	-378	'
Net income (loss)	-182	'	'	-6,981	20,889	-10,754
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-182	'	'	-6,981	20,889	-10,754
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	411	'	'	703	1,842	1,148
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of operations	837	'	'	669	2,279	1,294
General and administration	-18	'	'	27	24	57
Depreciation and amortization	181	'	'	180	555	241
Total operating expenses	1,000	'	'	876	2,858	1,592
Operating income (loss)	-589	'	'	-173	-1,016	-444
Other expense (income), net:	'	'	'	'	'	'
(Income) loss from equity method investments	183	'	'	1,393	1,105	3,325
(Gain) loss on sale of equity method investment	-593	'	'	'	-593	'
Other income	'	'	'	'	-1	'
Other expense, net	-410	'	'	1,393	511	3,325
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-179	'	'	-1,566	-1,527	-3,769
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	-1,566	-1,527	-3,769
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-179	'	'	-1,566	-1,527	-3,769
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-283	'	'	-67	-490	-199
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	104	'	'	-1,499	-1,037	-3,570
Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other expense (income), net:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	'	'	8,274	'	24,511
Interest expense	'	'	'	-8,274	'	-24,511
(Income) loss from equity method investments	-78	'	'	-8,480	19,852	-14,324
Other expense, net	-78	'	'	-8,480	19,852	-14,324
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	78	'	'	8,480	-19,852	14,324
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	8,480	-19,852	14,324
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	78	'	'	8,480	-19,852	14,324
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$78	'	'	$8,480	($19,852)	$14,324

Subsidiary_Guarantors_Schedule2

Subsidiary Guarantors - Schedule of Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($11,033)	($11,474)	($11,771)	($40,946)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments	533	-11	-35	-2,810
Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings	310	149	655	4,139
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities	-8	-11	10	4
Other comprehensive income (loss)	835	127	630	1,333
Comprehensive income (loss)	-10,198	-11,347	-11,141	-39,613
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-283	-67	-490	-199
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-9,915	-11,280	-10,651	-39,414
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-10,750	-11,407	-11,281	-40,747
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments	'	'	'	-1,257
Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings	'	'	'	3,625
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	2,368
Comprehensive income (loss)	-10,750	-11,407	-11,281	-38,379
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-10,750	-11,407	-11,281	-38,379
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-182	-6,981	20,889	-10,754
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of marketable securities	-8	-11	10	4
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-8	-11	10	4
Comprehensive income (loss)	-190	-6,992	20,899	-10,750
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-190	-6,992	20,899	-10,750
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-179	-1,566	-1,527	-3,769
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments	533	-11	-35	-1,553
Realized loss (gain) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings	310	149	655	514
Other comprehensive income (loss)	843	138	620	-1,039
Comprehensive income (loss)	664	-1,428	-907	-4,808
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-283	-67	-490	-199
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	947	-1,361	-417	-4,609
Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	78	8,480	-19,852	14,324
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss)	78	8,480	-19,852	14,324
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$78	$8,480	($19,852)	$14,324

Subsidiary_Guarantors_Schedule3

Subsidiary Guarantors - Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$37,678	$31,171
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-8,519	-25,106
Payments on landfill operating lease contracts	-6,052	-5,726
Payment for capital related to divestiture	'	-618
Investments in unconsolidated entities	-2,107	-1,000
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	2,845	'
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,248	781
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-49,256	-74,985
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	120,890	334,497
Principal payments on long-term debt	-107,834	-320,483
Payment of tender premium and costs on second lien notes	'	-10,743
Payments of financing costs	-404	-4,572
Net proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock	'	42,184
Excess tax benefit on the vesting of share based awards	'	98
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders	'	1,195
Net cash provided by financing activities	12,652	42,176
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	-117	-1,784
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	957	-3,422
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,755	4,534
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,712	1,112
Acquisition [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-2,440	-528
Growth [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-4,309	-10,356
Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-29,922	-32,432
Parent [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-31,037	-3,983
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	-2,107	-1,000
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	2,845	'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-642	-1,233
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	120,890	334,497
Principal payments on long-term debt	-106,854	-319,365
Payment of tender premium and costs on second lien notes	'	-10,743
Payments of financing costs	-404	-4,572
Net proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock	'	42,184
Excess tax benefit on the vesting of share based awards	'	98
Intercompany borrowings	19,214	-39,862
Net cash provided by financing activities	32,846	2,237
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,167	-2,979
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,260	3,799
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,427	820
Parent [Member] | Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-1,380	-233
Guarantors [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	68,515	34,962
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-8,519	-25,106
Payments on landfill operating lease contracts	-6,052	-5,726
Payment for capital related to divestiture	'	-618
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	-3,196
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,248	781
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-48,199	-72,063
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Principal payments on long-term debt	-980	-1,118
Intercompany borrowings	-19,214	39,862
Net cash provided by financing activities	-20,194	38,744
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	-117	-1,784
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5	-141
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	253	368
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	258	227
Guarantors [Member] | Acquisition [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-2,440	-528
Guarantors [Member] | Growth [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-3,894	-5,471
Guarantors [Member] | Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-28,542	-32,199
Non-Guarantors [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	200	192
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	3,196
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-415	-1,689
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders	'	1,195
Net cash provided by financing activities	'	1,195
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-215	-302
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	242	367
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	27	65
Non-Guarantors [Member] | Growth [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-415	-4,885
Elimination [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	'
Payments on landfill operating lease contracts	'	'
Payment for capital related to divestiture	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	'	'
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	'	'
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	'	'
Principal payments on long-term debt	'	'
Payment of tender premium and costs on second lien notes	'	'
Payments of financing costs	'	'
Net proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock	'	'
Excess tax benefit on the vesting of share based awards	'	'
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders	'	'
Intercompany borrowings	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	'	'
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	'	'
Elimination [Member] | Acquisition [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	'	'
Elimination [Member] | Growth [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	'	'
Elimination [Member] | Maintenance [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	'	'