gain on business divestitures and impairments , net we strive to have a number one or number two market position in each of the markets we serve , or have a clear path on how we will achieve a leading market position over time . where we cannot establish a leading market position , or where operations are not generating acceptable returns , we may decide to divest certain assets and reallocate resources to other markets . asset or business divestitures could result in gains , losses or asset impairment charges that may be material to our results of operations in a given period . during 2018 , we recorded a net gain on business divestitures , net of asset impairments of $ 44.9 million . during 2017 , we recorded a net gain on business divestitures , net of asset impairments of $ 27.1 million . we also recorded a gain on business divestitures of $ 6.8 million due to the transfer of ownership of the landfill gas collection and control system and the remaining post-closure and environmental liabilities associated with one of our divested landfills . during 2016 , we recorded a charge to earnings of $ 4.6 million primarily related to environmental costs associated with one of our divested landfills . during 2016 , we also recorded a net gain related to a business divestiture of $ 4.7 million . restructuring charges in january 2018 , we eliminated certain positions following the consolidation of select back-office functions , including but not limited to the integration of our national accounts support functions into our existing corporate support functions . these changes include a reduction in administrative staffing and the closure of certain office locations . during 2018 , we incurred restructuring charges of $ 26.4 million that primarily consisted of severance and other employee termination benefits , the closure of offices with non-cancelable lease agreements , and the redesign of our back-office functions and upgrades to certain of our software systems . we paid $ 24.7 million during 2018 related to these restructuring efforts . in january 2016 , we realigned our field support functions by combining our three regions into two field groups , consolidating our areas and streamlining select operational support roles at our phoenix headquarters . additionally , in the second quarter of 2016 , we began the redesign of our back-office functions as well as the consolidation of over 100 customer service locations into three customer resource centers . the redesign of our back-office functions and upgrades to certain of our software systems continued into 2018 . during the years ended december 31 , 2017 and 2016 , we incurred $ 17.6 million and $ 40.7 million of restructuring charges , respectively , that primarily consisted of severance and other employee termination benefits , transition costs , relocation benefits , and the closure of offices with lease agreements with non-cancelable terms . the savings realized from these restructuring efforts have been reinvested in our customer-focused programs and initiatives . interest expense the following table provides the components of interest expense , including accretion of debt discounts and accretion of discounts primarily associated with environmental and risk insurance liabilities assumed in acquisitions ( in millions of dollars ) : .
what was the growth in the interest expense on debt and capital lease obligations from 2017 to 2018
total interest expense for 2018 increased compared to 2017 primarily due to the increase in debt outstanding during the period and higher interest rates on floating rate debt . total interest expense for 2017 decreased .