text: During the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, our weighted average compaction rate 
  was approximately 1,500 pounds per cubic yard. 
  
  As of December 31, 2004, we expect to spend an estimated additional $1,524.1 million on existing 
  landÑlls, primarily related to cell construction and environmental structures, over their expected remaining 
  lives. Our total expected gross investment, excluding non-depletable land, estimated to be $2.3 billion, or 
  $1.32 per cubic yard, is used in determining our depletion and amortization expense based upon airspace 
  consumed using the units-of-consumption method. 
  
  We accrue costs related to environmental remediation activities through a charge to income in the period 
  such liabilities become probable and can be reasonably estimated. We also accrue costs related to 
  environmental remediation activities associated with properties acquired through business combinations as a 
  charge to cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired or landÑll purchase price allocated to airspace, as 
  appropriate. No signiÑcant amounts were charged to expense during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 
  and 2002. 
  
  **Financial Condition**
  
  At December 31, 2004, we had $237.0 million of restricted cash deposits and $38.7 million of restricted 
  marketable securities held as Ñnancial guarantees, including $119.0 million of restricted cash held for capital 
  expenditures under certain debt facilities, and $34.3 million and $38.7 million of restricted cash and restricted 
  marketable securities, respectively, pledged to various regulatory agencies and governmental entities as 
  Ñnancial guarantees of our performance related to Ñnal capping, closure and post-closure obligations at our 
  landÑlls. Restricted marketable securities consist of mutual funds invested in short-term investment grade 
  securities, including mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Government obligations. These securities are 
  available for sale and, as a result, are stated at fair value based upon quoted market prices. Unrealized gains 
  and losses, net of tax, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We 
  liquidated a portion of these marketable securities and used the proceeds to repay the $225.0 million of public 
  notes, which matured in May 2004. 