Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jul. 20, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WASTE MANAGEMENT INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000823768
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 15.0
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		472,054,373

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 371	$ 539
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $24 and $26, respectively	1,609	1,510
Other receivables	104	146
Parts and supplies	137	130
Deferred income taxes	39	40
Other assets	114	117
Total current assets	2,374	2,482
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $14,957 and $14,690, respectively	11,919	11,868
Goodwill	5,793	5,726
Other intangible assets, net	310	295
Other assets	1,187	1,105
Total assets	21,583	21,476
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	576	692
Accrued liabilities	1,056	1,100
Deferred revenues	465	460
Current portion of long-term debt	198	233
Total current liabilities	2,295	2,485
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,839	8,674
Deferred income taxes	1,704	1,662
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	1,436	1,402
Other liabilities	686	662
Total liabilities	14,960	14,885
Commitments and contingencies
Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued	6	6
Additional paid-in capital	4,545	4,528
Retained earnings	6,499	6,400
Accumulated other comprehensive income	259	230
Treasury stock at cost, 157,950,900 and 155,235,711 shares, respectively	(5,018)	(4,904)
Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity	6,291	6,260
Noncontrolling interests	332	331
Total equity	6,623	6,591
Total liabilities and equity	$ 21,583	$ 21,476

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 24	$ 26
Long-term assets
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ 14,957	$ 14,690
Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	630,282,461	630,282,461
Treasury stock, shares	157,950,900	155,235,711

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 3,347	$ 3,158	$ 6,450	$ 6,093
Costs and expenses:
Operating	2,140	1,996	4,135	3,877
Selling, general and administrative	382	345	764	696
Depreciation and amortization	319	309	618	600
Restructuring	0	(1)	0	(1)
(Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items	0	(77)	0	(77)
Total costs and expenses	2,841	2,572	5,517	5,095
Income from operations	506	586	933	998
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(119)	(116)	(240)	(228)
Interest income	2	2	5	2
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	(9)	(8)	(13)	(8)
Other, net	1	0	2	2
Total other income (expense)	(125)	(122)	(246)	(232)
Income before income taxes	381	464	687	766
Provision for income taxes	131	206	241	316
Consolidated net income	250	258	446	450
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	13	12	23	22
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 237	$ 246	$ 423	$ 428
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.50	$ 0.51	$ 0.89	$ 0.89
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.50	$ 0.51	$ 0.89	$ 0.88
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.34	$ 0.315	$ 0.68	$ 0.63

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 446	$ 450
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	618	600
Deferred income tax provision	39	25
Interest accretion on landfill liabilities	41	40
Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets	3	15
Provision for bad debts	15	19
Equity-based compensation expense	27	20
Net gain on disposal of assets	(8)	(10)
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions	(7)	(1)
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities, net of dividends	13	5
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Receivables	(115)	(110)
Other current assets	(18)	(18)
Other assets	31	8
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	25	(98)
Deferred revenues and other liabilities	(32)	31
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,078	976
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(157)	(237)
Capital expenditures	(596)	(475)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets	13	27
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts	7	26
Investments in unconsolidated entities	(91)	(161)
Other	0	(3)
Net cash used in investing activities	(824)	(823)
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings	404	706
Debt repayments	(314)	(213)
Common stock repurchases	(168)	(286)
Cash dividends	(323)	(305)
Exercise of common stock options	35	13
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions	7	1
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(22)	(22)
Other	(44)	(17)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(425)	(123)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	3	(1)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(168)	29
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	539	1,140
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 371	$ 1,169

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Comprehensive Income	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 6,591	$ 0	$ 6	$ 4,528	$ 6,400	$ 230	$ (4,904)	$ 331
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010			630,282				(155,236)
Comprehensive Income:
Consolidated net income	446	446	0	0	423	0	0	23
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized losses resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes of $8	(13)	(13)	0	0	0	(13)	0	0
Realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $6	9	9	0	0	0	9	0	0
Unrealized losses on marketable securities, net of taxes of $1	(1)	(1)	0	0	0	(1)	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	36	36	0	0	0	36	0	0
Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes of $1	(2)	(2)	0	0	0	(2)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	29	29	0	0	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	475	475	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cash dividends declared	(323)		0	0	(323)	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes	78		0	17	(1)	0	62	0
Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes, shares			0				1,973
Common stock repurchases	(176)		0	0	0	0	(176)
Common stock repurchases, shares			0				(4,694)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(22)		0	0	0	0	0	(22)
Other	0		0	0	0	0	0	0
Other, shares			0				6
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 6,623	$ 0	$ 6	$ 4,545	$ 6,499	$ 259	$ (5,018)	$ 332
Ending Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2011			630,282				(157,951)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Comprehensive Income:
Tax effects on unrealized losses resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments	$ 8
Tax effects on realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings	6
Tax effects on unrealized losses on marketable securities	1
Tax effects on Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations	1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income:
Tax effects on unrealized losses resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments	8
Tax effects on realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings	6
Tax effects on unrealized losses on marketable securities	1
Tax effects on Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations	1
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Income:
Tax effects on unrealized losses resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments	8
Tax effects on realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings	6
Tax effects on unrealized losses on marketable securities	1
Tax effects on Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations	$ 1

Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation


1.	Basis of Presentation

The financial statements presented in this report represent the consolidation of Waste Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation; Waste Management’s wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries; and certain variable interest entities for which Waste Management or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiary. Waste Management is a holding company and all operations are conducted by its subsidiaries. When the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are used in this document, those terms refer to Waste Management, Inc., its consolidated subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities. When we use the term “WM,” we are referring only to Waste Management, Inc., the parent holding company.

We manage and evaluate our principal operations through five Groups. Our four geographic operating Groups, which are comprised of our Eastern, Midwest, Southern and Western Groups, provide collection, transfer, disposal (in both solid waste and hazardous waste landfills) and recycling services. Our fifth Group is the Wheelabrator Group, which provides waste-to-energy services and manages waste-to-energy facilities and independent power production plants. We also provide additional services that are not managed through our five Groups, which are presented in this report as “Other.” Additional information related to our segments can be found in Note 9.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments, which, unless otherwise disclosed, are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The financial statements presented herein should be read in connection with the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

In preparing our financial statements, we make numerous estimates and assumptions that 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 from data available or simply cannot be readily calculated based on generally accepted methods. In some cases, these estimates are particularly difficult to determine and we must exercise significant judgment. In preparing our financial statements, the most difficult, subjective and complex estimates and the assumptions that present the greatest amount of uncertainty relate to our accounting for landfills, environmental remediation liabilities, asset impairments, deferred income taxes and reserves associated with our insured and self-insured claims. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that we use in the preparation of our financial statements.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements — In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended authoritative guidance associated with multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. This amended guidance addresses the determination of when individual deliverables within an arrangement are required to be treated as separate units of accounting and modifies the manner in which consideration is allocated across the separately identifiable deliverables. The amendments to authoritative guidance associated with multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements became effective for the Company on January 1, 2011. The new accounting standard has been applied prospectively to arrangements entered into or materially modified after the date of adoption. The adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. However, our adoption of this guidance may significantly impact our accounting and reporting for future revenue arrangements to the extent they are material.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to our prior period consolidated financial information in order to conform to the current year presentation.

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Abstract]

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities


2.	Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities

Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs are presented in the table below (in millions):


	June 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
			Environmental						Environmental
	Landfill		Remediation		Total		Landfill		Remediation		Total

Current (in accrued liabilities)	$	104	$	42	$	146	$	105	$	43	$	148
Long-term		1,203		233		1,436		1,161		241		1,402

	$	1,307	$	275	$	1,582	$	1,266	$	284	$	1,550

The changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the six months ended June 30, 2011 are reflected in the table below (in millions):


				Environmental
	Landfill			Remediation

December 31, 2009	$	1,267		$	256
Obligations incurred and capitalized		47			—
Obligations settled		(86	)		(36	)
Interest accretion		82			5
Revisions in cost estimates and interest rate assumptions		(49	)		61
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments		5			(2	)

December 31, 2010		1,266			284
Obligations incurred and capitalized		24			—
Obligations settled		(31	)		(16	)
Interest accretion		41			3
Revisions in cost estimates and interest rate assumptions		4			4
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments		3			—

June 30, 2011	$	1,307		$	275

At several of our landfills, we provide financial assurance by depositing cash into restricted trust funds or escrow accounts for purposes of settling final capping, closure, post-closure and environmental remediation obligations. Generally, these trust funds are established to comply with statutory requirements and operating agreements and we are the sole beneficiary of the restricted balances. However, certain of the funds have been established for the benefit of both the Company and the host community in which we operate.

The fair value of trust funds and escrow accounts for which we are the sole beneficiary was $120 million at June 30, 2011 and is included in long-term “Other assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Our investments and receivables related to the trusts that have been established for the benefit of both the Company and the host community in which we operate had an aggregate carrying value of $105 million at June 30, 2011 and are recorded in “Other receivables” and as long-term “Other assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 12 for additional information related to these trusts.

Debt

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Debt [Abstract]

Debt


3.	Debt

The following table summarizes the major components of debt at each balance sheet date (in millions) and provides the maturities and interest rate ranges of each major category as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:


	June 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

Revolving credit facility	$	—	$	—
Letter of credit facilities		—		—
Canadian credit facility (weighted average effective interest rate of 2.3% at June 30, 2011 and 2.2% at December 31, 2010)		144		212
Senior notes and debentures, maturing through 2039, interest rates ranging from 4.60% to 7.75% (weighted average interest rate of 6.3% at June 30, 2011 and 6.5% at December 31, 2010)		5,710		5,452
Tax-exempt bonds maturing through 2039, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 7.4% (weighted average interest rate of 3.1% at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010)		2,671		2,696
Tax-exempt project bonds, principal payable in periodic installments, maturing through 2029, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 3.4% (weighted average interest rate of 1.3% at June 30, 2011 and 2.5% at December 31, 2010)		86		116
Capital leases and other, maturing through 2050, interest rates up to 12%		426		431

		9,037		8,907
Current portion of long-term debt		198		233

	$	8,839	$	8,674

Debt Classification

As of June 30, 2011, we had $321 million of debt maturing within the next twelve months, including U.S. $144 million under our Canadian credit facility. We have classified $123 million of these borrowings as long-term as of June 30, 2011 based on our intent and ability to refinance these borrowings on a long-term basis.

Net Debt Borrowings

In February 2011, we issued $400 million of 4.60% senior notes due March 2021. The net proceeds from the debt issuance were $396 million. We used a portion of the proceeds to repay $147 million of 7.65% senior notes that matured in March 2011. During the second quarter of 2011, we repaid approximately $77 million of advances outstanding under our Canadian credit facility with available cash.

Revolving Credit and Letter of Credit Facilities

As of June 30, 2011, we had an aggregate committed capacity of $2.5 billion for letters of credit under various credit facilities. In May 2011, we amended and restated our $2.0 billion revolving credit facility as a result of changes in market conditions, which significantly reduced the cost of the facility. We also extended the term through May 2016. Our revolving credit facility is our primary source of letter of credit capacity. Our remaining letter of credit capacity is provided under facilities with terms that extend from June 2013 to June 2015. As of June 30, 2011, we had an aggregate of $1.5 billion of letters of credit outstanding under various credit facilities. Approximately $1.1 billion of these letters of credit have been issued under our revolving credit facility. There were no borrowings under these credit facilities during the first half of 2011.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities


4.	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The following table summarizes the fair values of derivative instruments recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):


		June 30,		December 31,
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Balance Sheet Location	2011		2010

Interest rate contracts	Current other assets	$	—	$	1
Interest rate contracts	Long-term other assets		50		37

Total derivative assets		$	50	$	38

Interest rate contracts	Current accrued liabilities	$	—	$	11
Electricity commodity contracts	Current accrued liabilities		2		1
Interest rate contracts	Long-term accrued liabilities		22		13
Foreign exchange contracts	Long-term accrued liabilities		17		3

Total derivative liabilities		$	41	$	28

We have not offset fair value amounts recognized for our derivative instruments. For information related to the methods used to measure our derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, refer to Note 11.

Interest Rate Derivatives

Interest Rate Swaps

We use interest rate swaps to maintain a portion of our debt obligations at variable market interest rates. As of June 30, 2011, we had approximately $5.6 billion in fixed-rate senior notes outstanding compared with $5.4 billion as of December 31, 2010. As of June 30, 2011, the interest payments on $1 billion, or 18%, of these senior notes have been swapped to variable interest rates to protect the debt against changes in fair value due to changes in benchmark interest rates, compared with $500 million, or 9%, as of December 31, 2010. The increase in the notional amount of our interest rate swaps from December 31, 2010 to June 30, 2011 was due to the execution of $600 million of interest rate swaps in March 2011 partially offset by the scheduled maturity of $100 million of interest rate swaps in March 2011.

We have designated our interest rate swaps as fair value hedges of our fixed-rate senior notes. Fair value hedge accounting for interest rate swap contracts has increased the carrying value of debt instruments by $85 million as of June 30, 2011 and $79 million as of December 31, 2010.

Gains or losses on the derivatives as well as the offsetting losses or gains on the hedged items attributable to our interest rate swaps are recognized in current earnings. We include gains and losses on our interest rate swaps as adjustments to interest expense, which is the same financial statement line item where offsetting gains and losses on the related hedged items are recorded. The following table summarizes the fair value adjustments from interest rate swaps and the underlying hedged items on our results of operations (in millions):


Three Months		Statement of Operations	Gain (Loss) on		Gain (Loss) on
Ended June 30,		Classification	Swap		Fixed-Rate Debt

	2011	Interest expense	$	18	$	(18	)
	2010	Interest expense	$	13	$	(13	)


Six Months		Statement of Operations	Gain (Loss) on		Gain (Loss) on
Ended June 30,		Classification	Swap		Fixed-Rate Debt

	2011	Interest expense	$	12	$	(12	)
	2010	Interest expense	$	14	$	(14	)

We also recognize the impacts of (i) net periodic settlements of current interest on our active interest rate swaps and (ii) the amortization of previously terminated interest rate swap agreements as adjustments to interest expense. The following table summarizes the impact of periodic settlements of active swap agreements and the impact of terminated swap agreements on our results of operations (in millions):


	Three Months				Six Months
	Ended June 30,				Ended June 30,
Decrease to Interest Expense Due to Hedge Accounting for Interest Rate Swaps	2011		2010		2011		2010

Periodic settlements of active swap agreements(a)	$	6	$	8	$	11	$	18
Terminated swap agreements		3		6		6		11

	$	9	$	14	$	17	$	29


(a)		These amounts represent the net of our periodic variable-rate interest obligations and the swap counterparties’ fixed-rate interest obligations. Our variable-rate obligations are based on a spread from the three-month LIBOR.

Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps

In 2009, we entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $525 million to hedge the risk of changes in semi-annual interest payments due to fluctuations in the forward ten-year LIBOR swap rate for anticipated fixed-rate debt issuances in 2011, 2012 and 2014. We designated these forward-starting interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges.

During the first quarter of 2011, $150 million of these forward-starting interest rate swaps were terminated contemporaneously with the actual issuance of senior notes in February 2011, and we paid cash of $9 million to settle the liability related to these swap agreements. The ineffectiveness recognized upon termination of the hedges was immaterial and the related deferred loss continues to be recognized as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” The deferred loss is being amortized as an increase to interest expense over the ten-year life of the senior notes issued in February 2011 using the effective interest method. The incremental interest expense associated with these forward-starting interest rate swaps was immaterial during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. As of June 30, 2011, the amount scheduled to be reclassified as an increase to interest expense over the next twelve months is immaterial.

The forward-starting interest rate swaps outstanding as of June 30, 2011 relate to anticipated debt issuances in November 2012 and March 2014. As of June 30, 2011, the fair value of these active interest rate derivatives was comprised of $22 million of long-term liabilities compared with $13 million of long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2010.

We recognized pre-tax and after-tax losses of $11 million and $7 million, respectively, to other comprehensive income for changes in the fair value of our forward-starting interest rate swaps during the three months ended June 30, 2011 and $7 million and $5 million, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2011. We recognized pre-tax and after-tax losses of $41 million and $25 million, respectively, to other comprehensive income for changes in the fair value of our forward-starting interest rate swaps during the three months ended June 30, 2010 and $46 million and $28 million, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2010. There was no significant ineffectiveness associated with these hedges during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 or 2010.

Treasury Rate Locks

In prior years, we used Treasury rate locks to secure underlying interest rates in anticipation of senior note issuances. These cash flow hedging agreements resulted in deferred losses, net of taxes, of $14 million at June 30, 2011 and $16 million at December 31, 2010, which are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” These deferred losses are reclassified as an increase to interest expense over the life of the related senior note issuances, which extend through 2032. Pre-tax and after-tax amounts of $2 million and $1 million, respectively, for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, and pre-tax and after-tax amounts of $4 million and $2 million, respectively, for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010, were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into interest expense. As of June 30, 2011, $7 million (on a pre-tax basis) is scheduled to be reclassified as an increase to interest expense over the next twelve months.

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features

Certain of our interest rate derivative instruments contain provisions related to the Company’s credit rating. If the Company’s credit rating were to fall to specified levels below investment grade, the counterparties have the ability to terminate the derivative agreements, resulting in settlement of all affected transactions. As of June 30, 2011, we had not experienced any credit events that would trigger these provisions, nor did we have any derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position.

Foreign Currency Derivatives

We use foreign currency exchange rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates for anticipated intercompany cash transactions between Waste Management Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary (“WM Holdings”), and its Canadian subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2011, we had foreign currency forward contracts outstanding for all of the anticipated cash flows associated with a debt arrangement between these wholly-owned subsidiaries. The hedged cash flows include C$370 million of principal, which is scheduled for payment on October 31, 2013, and interest payments scheduled as follows: C$10 million on November 30, 2011, C$11 million on November 30, 2012 and C$10 million on October 31, 2013. We designated our foreign currency derivatives as cash flow hedges.

Gains or losses on the underlying hedged items attributable to foreign currency exchange risk are recognized in current earnings. We include gains and losses on our foreign currency forward contracts as adjustments to other income and expense, which is the same financial statement line item where offsetting gains and losses on the related hedged items are recorded. The following table summarizes the pre-tax impacts of our foreign currency cash flow derivatives on our comprehensive income and results of operations (in millions):


						Derivative Gain or
		Derivative Gain or				(Loss) Reclassified
		(Loss) Recognized				from AOCI into
Three Months		in OCI			Statement of Operations	Income
Ended June 30,		(Effective Portion)			Classification	(Effective Portion)

	2011	$	(3	)	Other income (expense)	$	(2	)
	2010	$	17		Other income (expense)	$	17


						Derivative Gain or
		Derivative Gain or				(Loss) Reclassified
		(Loss) Recognized				from AOCI into
Six Months		in OCI			Statement of Operations	Income
Ended June 30,		(Effective Portion)			Classification	(Effective Portion)

	2011	$	(14	)	Other income (expense)	$	(12	)
	2010	$	5		Other income (expense)	$	5

Amounts reported in other comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income are reported net of tax. Adjustments to other comprehensive income for changes in the fair value of our foreign currency cash flow hedges resulted in the recognition of after-tax losses of $2 million and $8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, as compared with the recognition of after-tax gains of $10 million and $3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. After-tax adjustments for the reclassification of losses from accumulated other comprehensive income into income were $1 million and $7 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. After-tax adjustments for the reclassification of gains from accumulated other comprehensive income into income were $11 million and $3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. There was no significant ineffectiveness associated with these hedges during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 or 2010.

Electricity Commodity Derivatives

As a result of the expiration of certain long-term electricity contracts at our waste-to-energy facilities, we use short-term “receive fixed, pay variable” electricity commodity swaps to mitigate the variability in our revenues and cash flows caused by fluctuations in the market prices for electricity. We hedged 672,360 megawatt hours, or approximately 26%, of our Wheelabrator Group’s full year 2010 merchant electricity sales and the swaps executed through June 30, 2011 are expected to hedge about 1.6 million megawatt hours, or 49%, of the Group’s full year 2011 merchant electricity sales. For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, we hedged 49% and 45%, respectively, of our merchant electricity sales. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, we hedged 51% and 25%, respectively, of our merchant electricity sales. There was no significant ineffectiveness associated with these cash flow hedges and all financial statement impacts associated with these derivatives were immaterial for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes


5.	Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 was 34.5% and 35.1%, respectively, compared with 44.2% and 41.2% for the comparable prior year periods. We evaluate our effective income tax rate at each interim period and adjust it accordingly as facts and circumstances warrant. The differences between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 were primarily due to the favorable impact of federal tax credits offset by the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes. The differences between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 were primarily due to an increase in our state deferred income taxes to reflect the impact of changes in the estimated income tax rate at which temporary differences would be realized and the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes.

Investment in Refined Coal Facility — In January 2011, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a limited liability company, which was established to invest in and manage a refined coal facility in North Dakota. The facility’s refinement processes qualify for federal tax credits that are expected to be realized through 2019 in accordance with Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our initial consideration for this investment consisted of a cash payment of $48 million.

We account for our investment in this entity using the equity method of accounting, recognizing our share of the entity’s results and other reductions in “Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities,” within our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, we recognized $2 million of net losses resulting from our share of the entity’s operating losses. Our tax provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 was reduced by $4 million and $7 million, respectively, primarily as a result of tax credits realized from this investment. See Note 12 for additional information related to this investment.

Investment in Federal Low-income Housing Tax Credits — In April 2010, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a limited liability company established to invest in and manage low-income housing properties. The entity’s low-income housing investments qualify for federal tax credits that are expected to be realized through 2020 in accordance with Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code.

We account for our investment in this entity using the equity method of accounting. We recognize our share of the entity’s results and reductions in the value of our investment in “Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities,” within our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The value of our investment decreases as the tax credits are generated and utilized. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, we recognized $6 million and $12 million of losses for reductions in the value of our investment, $2 million and $4 million of interest expense, and a reduction in our tax provision of $11 million (including $7 million of tax credits) and $18 million (including $11 million of tax credits), respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, we recognized $8 million of losses for reductions in the value of our investment, $1 million of interest expense and a reduction in our tax provision of $11 million (including $8 million of tax credits). See Note 12 for additional information related to this investment.

Recent Legislation — The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act, signed into law on December 17, 2010, included an extension of the bonus depreciation allowance through the end of 2012 and increased the amount of qualifying capital expenditures that can be depreciated immediately from 50 percent to 100 percent. The 100 percent depreciation deduction applies to qualifying property placed in service from September 8, 2010 through December 31, 2011. The acceleration of deductions on 2011 capital expenditures resulting from the bonus depreciation provision will have no impact on our effective tax rate. However, the ability to accelerate depreciation deductions is expected to decrease our 2011 cash taxes by approximately $190 million. Taking the accelerated tax depreciation will result in increased cash taxes in future periods when the accelerated deductions for these capital expenditures would have otherwise been taken.

Comprehensive Income

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Comprehensive Income


6.	Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income was as follows (in millions):


	Three Months						Six Months
	Ended June 30,						Ended June 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

Consolidated net income	$	250		$	258		$	446		$	450

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized losses resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes		(8	)		(22	)		(13	)		(33	)
Realized (gains) losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes		1			(9	)		9			—
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of taxes		1			(1	)		(1	)		—
Foreign currency translation adjustments		8			(37	)		36			(10	)
Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes		—			(1	)		(2	)		(1	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)		2			(70	)		29			(44	)

Comprehensive income		252			188			475			406
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(13	)		(12	)		(23	)		(22	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	239		$	176		$	452		$	384

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity, were as follows (in millions):


	June 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010

Accumulated unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes	$	(37	)	$	(33	)
Accumulated unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes		4			5
Foreign currency translation adjustments		297			261
Funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes		(5	)		(3	)

	$	259		$	230

- Definition

This label may include the following: 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income. Components of comprehensive income include: (1) foreign currency translation adjustments; (2) gains and losses on foreign currency transactions that are designated as, and are effective as, economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity; (3) gains and losses on intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; (4) change in the market value of a futures contract that qualifies as a hedge of an asset reported at fair value; (5) unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and that resulting from transfers of debt securities from the held-to-maturity category to the available-for-sale category; (6) a net loss recognized as an additional pension liability not yet recognized as net periodic pension cost; and (7) the net gain or loss and net prior service cost or credit for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans.

+ References+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies


8.	Commitments and Contingencies

Financial Instruments — We have obtained letters of credit, performance bonds and insurance policies and have established trust funds and issued financial guarantees to support tax-exempt bonds, contracts, performance of landfill final capping, closure and post-closure requirements, environmental remediation, and other obligations. Letters of credit generally are supported by our revolving credit facility and other credit facilities established for that purpose. We obtain surety bonds and insurance policies from an entity in which we have a noncontrolling financial interest. We also obtain insurance from a wholly-owned insurance company, the sole business of which is to issue policies for us. In those instances where our use of financial assurance from entities we own or have financial interests in is not allowed, we have available alternative financial assurance mechanisms.

Management does not expect that any claims against or draws on these instruments would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. We have not experienced any unmanageable difficulty in obtaining the required financial assurance instruments for our current operations. In an ongoing effort to mitigate risks of future cost increases and reductions in available capacity, we continue to evaluate various options to access cost-effective sources of financial assurance.

Insurance — We carry insurance coverage for protection of our assets and operations from certain risks including automobile liability, general liability, real and personal property, workers’ compensation, directors’ and officers’ liability, pollution legal liability and other coverages we believe are customary to the industry. Our exposure to loss for insurance claims is generally limited to the per incident deductible under the related insurance policy. Our exposure, however, could increase if our insurers are unable to meet their commitments on a timely basis.

We have retained a significant portion of the risks related to our automobile, general liability and workers’ compensation insurance programs. For our self-insured retentions, the exposure for unpaid claims and associated expenses, including incurred but not reported losses, is based on an actuarial valuation and internal estimates. The accruals for these liabilities could be revised if future occurrences or loss development significantly differ from our assumptions used. We do not expect any known casualty, property, environmental or other contingency to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Guarantees — In the ordinary course of our business, WM and WM Holdings enter into guarantee agreements associated with their subsidiaries’ operations. Additionally, WM and WM Holdings have each guaranteed all of the senior debt of the other entity. No additional liabilities have been recorded for these intercompany guarantees because all of the underlying obligations are reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We also have guaranteed the obligations of, and provided indemnification to, third parties in the ordinary course of business. Guarantee agreements outstanding as of June 30, 2011 include (i) guarantees of unconsolidated entities’ financial obligations maturing through 2020 for maximum future payments of $11 million; and (ii) agreements guaranteeing certain market value losses for approximately 900 homeowners’ properties adjacent to or near 19 of our landfills. Our indemnification obligations generally arise in divestitures and provide that we will be responsible for liabilities associated with our operations for events that occurred prior to the sale of the operations. Additionally, under certain of our acquisition agreements, we have provided for additional consideration to be paid to the sellers if established financial targets are achieved post-closing and we have recognized liabilities for these contingent obligations based on an estimate of the fair value of these contingencies at the time of acquisition. Contingent obligations related to indemnification arising from our divestitures and contingent consideration provided for by our acquisitions are not expected to be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Matters — A significant portion of our operating costs and capital expenditures could be characterized as costs of environmental protection, as we are subject to an array of laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Under current laws and regulations, we may have liabilities for environmental damage caused by our operations, or for damage caused by conditions that existed before we acquired a site. In addition to remediation activity required by state or local authorities, such liabilities include potentially responsible party, or PRP, investigations. The costs associated with these liabilities can include settlements, certain legal and consultant fees, as well as incremental internal and external costs directly associated with site investigation and clean-up.

Estimating our degree of responsibility for remediation is inherently difficult. We recognize and accrue for an estimated remediation liability when we determine that such liability is both probable and reasonably estimable. Determining the method and ultimate cost of remediation requires that a number of assumptions be made. There can sometimes be a range of reasonable estimates of the costs associated with the investigation of the extent of environmental impact and identification of likely site-remediation alternatives. In these cases, we use the amount within the range that constitutes our best estimate. If no amount within a range appears to be a better estimate than any other, we use the amount that is the low end of such range. If we used the high ends of such ranges, our aggregate potential liability would be approximately $150 million higher than the $275 million recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of June 30, 2011. Our ongoing review of our remediation liabilities, in light of relevant internal and external facts and circumstances, could result in revisions to our accruals that could cause upward or downward adjustments to income from operations. These adjustments could be material in any given period.

As of June 30, 2011, we had been notified that we are a PRP in connection with 79 locations listed on the EPA’s National Priorities List, or NPL. Of the 79 sites at which claims have been made against us, 17 are sites we own. Each of the NPL sites we own was initially developed by others as a landfill disposal facility. At each of these facilities, we are working in conjunction with the government to characterize or remediate identified site problems, and we have either agreed with other legally liable parties on an arrangement for sharing the costs of remediation or are working toward a cost-sharing agreement. We generally expect to receive any amounts due from other participating parties at or near the time that we make the remedial expenditures. The other 62 NPL sites, which we do not own, are at various procedural stages under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, known as CERCLA or Superfund.

The majority of these proceedings involving NPL sites that we do not own are based on allegations that certain of our subsidiaries (or their predecessors) transported hazardous substances to the sites, often prior to our acquisition of these subsidiaries. CERCLA generally provides for liability for those parties owning, operating, transporting to or disposing at the sites. Proceedings arising under Superfund typically involve numerous waste generators and other waste transportation and disposal companies and seek to allocate or recover costs associated with site investigation and remediation, which costs could be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. At some of the sites at which we have been identified as a PRP, our liability is well defined as a consequence of a governmental decision and an agreement among liable parties as to the share each will pay for implementing that remedy. At other sites, where no remedy has been selected or the liable parties have been unable to agree on an appropriate allocation, our future costs are uncertain.

Litigation — In April 2002, certain former participants in the ERISA plans of WM Holdings filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in a case entitled William S. Harris, et al. v. James E. Koenig, et al. The lawsuit attempts to increase the recovery of a class of ERISA plan participants on behalf of the plan based on allegations related to both the events alleged in, and the settlements relating to, the securities class action against WM Holdings that was settled in 1998, the litigation against WM in Texas that was settled in 2002, as well as the decision to offer WM common stock as an investment option within the plan beginning in 1990, despite alleged knowledge by at least two members of the investment committee of financial misstatement by WM during the relevant time period.

During the second quarter of 2010, the Court dismissed certain claims against individual defendants, including all claims against each of the current members of our Board of Directors. Recently, plaintiffs dismissed all claims related to the settlement of the securities class action against WM that was settled in 2002, and the court certified a limited class of participants who may bring claims on behalf of the plan, but not individually. After initially asserting broader claims as to the plan, the plaintiffs now purport to file their complaint on behalf of plan participants who invested in WM common stock during a time frame ended February 24, 1998. The lawsuit now names as defendants WM Holdings; the members of WM Holdings’ Board of Directors prior to July 1998; the administrative and investments committees of the plan; and State Street Bank & Trust, the trustee and investment manager of the WM common stock fund available within the plan. Mr. Simpson, our Chief Financial Officer, is a named defendant in this action by virtue of his membership on the plan investment committee. The outcome of this lawsuit cannot be predicted with certainty, and these matters could impact the plan’s net assets available for benefits. The plan and other defendants intend to defend themselves vigorously in this litigation.

Two separate wage and hour lawsuits were commenced in October 2006 and March 2007 that are pending against certain of our subsidiaries in California, each seeking class certification. The actions were coordinated to proceed in San Diego County Superior Court. Both lawsuits make the same general allegations that our subsidiaries failed to comply with certain California wage and hour laws, including allegedly failing to provide meal and rest periods and failing to properly pay hourly and overtime wages. We have executed a settlement agreement in connection with this matter. Following a hearing on July 15, 2011, the Court executed an order approving the class action settlement and judgement. We anticipate all the details with respect to the settlement will be resolved and finally approved this fall.

Additionally, in July 2008, we were named as a defendant in a purported class action in the Circuit Court of Bullock County, Alabama, which was subsequently removed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. This suit pertains to our fuel and environmental charge in our customer service agreements and generally alleges that such charges were not properly disclosed, were unfair, and were contrary to contract. We filed a motion to dismiss that was partially granted during the third quarter of 2010, resulting in dismissal of the plaintiffs’ RICO and national class action claims. We deny all of the claims asserted in this action and intend to continue to oppose class certification and will vigorously defend these matters. Given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the ultimate outcome of these cases cannot be predicted at this time, nor can possible damages, if any, be reasonably estimated.

We often enter into contractual arrangements with landowners imposing obligations on us to meet certain regulatory or contractual conditions upon site closure or upon termination of the agreements. Compliance with these arrangements is inherently subject to subjective determinations and may result in disputes, including litigation. In May 2008, Mnoian Management, Inc. filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking remediation and increased compaction of a site we had previously leased for landfill purposes. The parties are participating in arbitration and have exchanged plans to remediate the site’s compaction fill. The Company believes it has valid defenses and will continue to vigorously defend these claims.

From time to time, we also are named as defendants in personal injury and property damage lawsuits, including purported class actions, on the basis of having owned, operated or transported waste to a disposal facility that is alleged to have contaminated the environment or, in certain cases, on the basis of having conducted environmental remediation activities at sites. Some of the lawsuits may seek to have us pay the costs of monitoring of allegedly affected sites and health care examinations of allegedly affected persons for a substantial period of time even where no actual damage is proven. While we believe we have meritorious defenses to these lawsuits, the ultimate resolution is often substantially uncertain due to the difficulty of determining the cause, extent and impact of alleged contamination (which may have occurred over a long period of time), the potential for successive groups of complainants to emerge, the diversity of the individual plaintiffs’ circumstances, and the potential contribution or indemnification obligations of co-defendants or other third parties, among other factors.

As a large company with operations across the United States and Canada, we are subject to various proceedings, lawsuits, disputes and claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. Many of these actions raise complex factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties. Actions filed against us include commercial, customer, and employment-related claims, including, as noted above, purported class action lawsuits related to our customer service agreements and purported class actions involving federal and state wage and hour and other laws. The plaintiffs in some actions seek unspecified damages or injunctive relief, or both. These actions are in various procedural stages, and some are covered in part by insurance. We currently do not believe that any such actions will ultimately have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements.

WM’s charter and bylaws require indemnification of its officers and directors if statutory standards of conduct have been met and allow the advancement of expenses to these individuals upon receipt of an undertaking by the individuals to repay all expenses if it is ultimately determined that they did not meet the required standards of conduct. Additionally, WM has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of the members of its Board of Directors as well as its President and Chief Executive Officer, and its Chief Financial Officer. The Company may incur substantial expenses in connection with the fulfillment of its advancement of costs and indemnification obligations in connection with current actions involving former officers of the Company or its subsidiaries or other actions or proceedings that may be brought against its former or current officers, directors and employees.

Item 103 of the SEC’s Regulation S-K requires disclosure of certain environmental matters when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings, or such proceedings are known to be contemplated, unless we reasonably believe that the matter will result in no monetary sanctions, or in monetary sanctions, exclusive of interest and costs, of less than $100,000. The following matters pending as of June 30, 2011 are disclosed in accordance with that requirement:

On April 4, 2006, the EPA issued a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) to Waste Management of Hawaii, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of WM, and to the City and County of Honolulu for alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act, based on alleged failure to submit certain reports and design plans required by the EPA, and the failure to begin and timely complete the installation of a gas collection and control system (“GCCS”) for the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill on Oahu. The EPA has also indicated that it will seek penalties and injunctive relief as part of the NOV enforcement for elevated landfill temperatures that were recorded after installation of the GCCS. The parties have been in confidential settlement negotiations. Pursuant to an indemnity agreement, any penalty assessed will be paid by the Company, and not by the City and County of Honolulu.

On February 25, 2011, the EPA issued an NOV to Chemical Waste Management, Inc.’s Kettleman Hills facility for alleged violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The EPA has indicated it will seek civil penalties for the violations alleged, which relate primarily to management of landfill leachate, laboratory protocols, and the management and disposal of certain hazardous waste.

On April 11, 2011, Waste Management LampTracker, Inc.’s Kaiser, Missouri facility was notified that the EPA will be filing an administrative complaint and assessing civil penalties for alleged Resource Conservation and Recovery Act violations relating to container and facility management and the handling of certain waste.

Regarding a matter previously reported, three Wheelabrator Group subsidiaries have entered into a settlement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, resolving allegations of violations at Wheelabrator Group facilities in Saugus, North Andover and Millbury, Massachusetts. A consent judgment finalizing the settlement was approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Superior Court on May 2, 2011. The settlement required the following payments, which were made as of June 30, 2011: $4.5 million for creation of a fund to be distributed to municipal customers of the three facilities by the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General; $2 million for civil penalties arising from alleged violations of regulations and permit conditions; and $500,000 as a donation to the Massachusetts Natural Resources Damages Trust. In addition, the Wheelabrator Group subsidiaries will fund $500,000 in supplemental environmental projects.

Multiemployer, Defined Benefit Pension Plans — About 20% of our workforce is covered by collective bargaining agreements with various union locals across the United States and Canada. As a result of some of these agreements, certain of our subsidiaries are participating employers in a number of trustee-managed multiemployer, defined benefit pension plans for the affected employees. One of the most significant multiemployer pension plans in which we participate is the Central States Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (“Central States Pension Plan”), which has reported that it adopted a rehabilitation plan as a result of its actuarial certification for the plan year beginning January 1, 2008. The Central States Pension Plan is in “critical status,” as defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

In connection with our ongoing renegotiation of various collective bargaining agreements, we may discuss and negotiate for the complete or partial withdrawal from one or more of these pension plans. A complete or partial withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan may also occur if employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement vote to decertify a union from continuing to represent them. We recognized charges to “Operating” expenses of $28 million in the first quarter of 2010 associated with the withdrawal of three bargaining units from the Central States Pension Plan in connection with our negotiations of these unit’s agreements. We are still negotiating and litigating final resolutions of our withdrawal liability for this withdrawal and previous withdrawals, which could be materially higher than the charges we have recognized. We do not believe that our withdrawals from the multiemployer plans, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity. However, depending on the number of employees withdrawn in any future period and the financial condition of the multiemployer plans at the time of withdrawal, such withdrawals could materially affect our results of operations in the period of the withdrawal.

Tax Matters — We are currently in the examination phase of IRS audits for the tax years 2010 and 2011 and expect these audits to be completed within the next six and 18 months, respectively. We participate in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Program, which means we work with the IRS throughout the year in order to resolve any material issues prior to the filing of our year-end tax return. We are also currently undergoing audits by various state and local jurisdictions that date back to 2000. In the third quarter of 2010, we finalized audits in Canada through the 2005 tax year and are not currently under audit for any subsequent tax years. To provide for certain potential tax exposures, we maintain a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, the balance of which management believes is adequate. Results of audit assessments by taxing authorities are not currently expected to have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or cash flows.

Segment and Related Information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Segment and Related Information


9.	Segment and Related Information

We currently manage and evaluate our operations primarily through our Eastern, Midwest, Southern, Western and Wheelabrator Groups. These five Groups are presented below as our reportable segments. Our four geographic operating Groups provide collection, transfer, disposal (in both solid waste and hazardous waste landfills) and recycling services. Our fifth Group is the Wheelabrator Group, which provides waste-to-energy services and manages waste-to-energy facilities and independent power production plants. We serve residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. The operations not managed through our five operating Groups are presented herein as “Other.”

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments for the three and six months ended June 30 is shown in the following table (in millions):


	Gross		Intercompany			Net
	Operating		Operating			Operating		Income from
	Revenues		Revenues			Revenues		Operations

Three Months Ended:
June 30, 2011
Eastern	$	800	$	(136	)	$	664	$	141
Midwest		828		(126	)		702		156
Southern		862		(105	)		757		193
Western		825		(114	)		711		142
Wheelabrator		226		(30	)		196		42
Other		330		(13	)		317		(21	)

		3,871		(524	)		3,347		653
Corporate and Other		—		—			—		(147	)

Total	$	3,871	$	(524	)	$	3,347	$	506

June 30, 2010
Eastern	$	774	$	(140	)	$	634	$	143
Midwest		780		(119	)		661		141
Southern		876		(104	)		772		206
Western		799		(112	)		687		141
Wheelabrator		217		(29	)		188		47
Other		225		(9	)		216		(26	)

		3,671		(513	)		3,158		652
Corporate and Other		—		—			—		(66	)

Total	$	3,671	$	(513	)	$	3,158	$	586

Six Months Ended:
June 30, 2011
Eastern	$	1,504	$	(248	)	$	1,256	$	261
Midwest		1,556		(232	)		1,324		285
Southern		1,700		(203	)		1,497		385
Western		1,615		(222	)		1,393		282
Wheelabrator		436		(61	)		375		55
Other		623		(18	)		605		(35	)

		7,434		(984	)		6,450		1,233
Corporate and Other		—		—			—		(300	)

Total	$	7,434	$	(984	)	$	6,450	$	933

June 30, 2010
Eastern	$	1,459	$	(253	)	$	1,206	$	252
Midwest		1,474		(217	)		1,257		223
Southern		1,699		(201	)		1,498		406
Western		1,563		(215	)		1,348		270
Wheelabrator		423		(60	)		363		83
Other		440		(19	)		421		(55	)

		7,058		(965	)		6,093		1,179
Corporate and Other		—		—			—		(181	)

Total	$	7,058	$	(965	)	$	6,093	$	998

Fluctuations in our operating results may be caused by many factors, including period-to-period changes in the relative contribution of revenue by each line of business and operating segment and by general economic conditions. In addition, our revenues and income from operations typically reflect seasonal patterns. Our operating revenues normally tend to be somewhat higher in the summer months, primarily due to the traditional seasonal increase in the volume of construction and demolition waste. Historically, the volumes of industrial and residential waste in certain regions in which we operate have tended to increase during the summer months. Our second and third quarter revenues and results of operations typically reflect these seasonal trends.

Additionally, certain destructive weather conditions that tend to occur during the second half of the year, such as hurricanes that most often impact our Southern Group, can actually increase our revenues in the areas affected. While weather-related and other “one-time” occurrences can boost revenues through additional work, as a result of significant start-up costs and other factors, such revenue sometimes generates earnings at comparatively lower margins. Certain weather conditions, including severe winter storms, may result in the temporary suspension of our operations, which can significantly affect the operating results of the affected regions. The operating results of our first quarter also often reflect higher repair and maintenance expenses because we rely on the slower winter months, when waste flows are generally lower, to perform scheduled maintenance at our waste-to-energy facilities.

From time to time, the operating results of our reportable segments are significantly affected by unusual or infrequent transactions or events. During the first quarter of 2010, our Midwest Group recognized a $28 million charge as a result of bargaining unit employees in Michigan and Ohio agreeing to our proposal to withdraw them from an underfunded multiemployer pension plan. Refer to Note 8 for additional information related to our participation in multiemployer pension plans.

(Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

(Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items [Abstract]

(Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items


10.	(Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items

We filed a lawsuit in March 2008 related to the revenue management software implementation that was suspended in 2007 and abandoned in 2009. Accordingly, in 2009, we recognized a non-cash charge of $51 million for the abandonment of the licensed software. In April 2010, we settled the lawsuit and received a one-time cash payment. The settlement increased our “Income from operations” for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 by $77 million.

Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements


11.	Fair Value Measurements

Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value

Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following (in millions):


			Fair Value Measurements at
			June 30, 2011 Using
			Quoted		Significant
			Prices in		Other		Significant
			Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	326	$	326	$	—	$	—
Available-for-sale securities		142		142		—		—
Interest rate derivatives		50		—		50		—

Total assets	$	518	$	468	$	50	$	—

Liabilities:
Electricity commodity derivatives	$	2	$	—	$	2	$	—
Interest rate derivatives		22		—		22		—
Foreign currency derivatives		17		—		17		—

Total liabilities	$	41	$	—	$	41	$	—


			Fair Value Measurements at
			December 31, 2010 Using
			Quoted		Significant
			Prices in		Other		Significant
			Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	468	$	468	$	—	$	—
Available-for-sale securities		148		148		—		—
Interest rate derivatives		38		—		38		—

Total assets	$	654	$	616	$	38	$	—

Liabilities:
Electricity commodity derivatives	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	—
Interest rate derivatives		24		—		24		—
Foreign currency derivatives		3		—		3		—

Total liabilities	$	28	$	—	$	28	$	—

Fair Value of Debt

At June 30, 2011, the carrying value of our debt was approximately $9.0 billion compared with $8.9 billion at December 31, 2010. The carrying value of our debt includes adjustments for both the unamortized fair value adjustments related to terminated hedge arrangements and fair value adjustments of debt instruments that are currently hedged.

The estimated fair value of our debt was approximately $9.6 billion at June 30, 2011 and approximately $9.2 billion at December 31, 2010. The estimated fair value of our senior notes is based on quoted market prices. The carrying value of remarketable debt approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rates. The fair value of our other debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on rates we would currently pay for similar types of instruments.

Although we have determined the estimated fair value amounts using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, our estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we, or holders of the instruments, could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair values. The fair value estimates are based on information available as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. These amounts have not been revalued since those dates, and current estimates of fair value could differ significantly from the amounts presented.

- Definition

This item represents the complete disclosure regarding the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments, assets, and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the Company is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risk is are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References+ Details

Variable Interest Entities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entities


12.	Variable Interest Entities

Following is a description of our financial interests in variable interest entities that we consider significant, including (i) those for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the entity and, therefore, have consolidated the entities into our financial statements; and (ii) those that represent a significant interest in an unconsolidated entity.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

Waste-to-Energy LLCs — In June 2000, two limited liability companies were established to purchase interests in existing leveraged lease financings at three waste-to-energy facilities that we lease, operate and maintain. We own a 0.5% interest in one of the LLCs (“LLC I”) and a 0.25% interest in the second LLC (“LLC II”). John Hancock Life Insurance Company owns 99.5% of LLC I and 99.75% of LLC II is owned by LLC I and the CIT Group. In 2000, Hancock and CIT made an initial investment of $167 million in the LLCs, which was used to purchase the three waste-to-energy facilities and assume the seller’s indebtedness. Under the LLC agreements, the LLCs shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a written decision of all members of the LLCs; (ii) December 31, 2063; (iii) a court’s dissolution of the LLCs; or (iv) the LLCs ceasing to own any interest in the waste-to-energy facilities.

Income, losses and cash flows of the LLCs are allocated to the members based on their initial capital account balances until Hancock and CIT achieve targeted returns; thereafter, we will receive 80% of the earnings of each of the LLCs and Hancock and CIT will be allocated the remaining 20% proportionate to their respective ownership interests. All capital allocations made through June 30, 2011 have been based on initial capital account balances as the target returns have not yet been achieved.

Our obligations associated with our interests in the LLCs are primarily related to the lease of the facilities. In addition to our minimum lease payment obligations, we are required to make cash payments to the LLCs for differences between fair market rents and our minimum lease payments. These payments are subject to adjustment based on factors that include the fair market value of rents for the facilities and lease payments made through the re-measurement dates. In addition, we may also be required under certain circumstances to make capital contributions to the LLCs based on differences between the fair market value of the facilities and defined termination values as provided for in the underlying lease agreements, although we believe the likelihood of the occurrence of these circumstances is remote.

We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the LLCs and consolidate these entities in our Consolidated Financial Statements because (i) all of the equity owners of the LLCs are considered related parties for purposes of applying this accounting guidance; (ii) the equity owners share power over the significant activities of the LLCs; and (iii) we are the entity within the related party group whose activities are most closely associated with the LLCs.

As of June 30, 2011, our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes $313 million of net property and equipment associated with the LLCs’ waste-to-energy facilities and $243 million in noncontrolling interests associated with Hancock’s and CIT’s interests in the LLCs. As of June 30, 2011, all debt obligations of the LLCs have been paid in full and, therefore, the LLCs have no liabilities. We recognized reductions in earnings of $12 million and $25 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for Hancock’s and CIT’s noncontrolling interests in the LLCs’ earnings. The LLCs’ earnings relate to the rental income generated from leasing the facilities to our subsidiaries, reduced by depreciation expense. The LLCs’ rental income is eliminated in WM’s consolidation.

Significant Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

Investment in Refined Coal Facility — In January 2011, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a limited liability company, which was established to invest in and manage a refined coal facility. Along with the other equity investor, we support the operations of the entity in exchange for a pro-rata share of the tax credits it generates. Our initial consideration for this investment consisted of a cash payment of $48 million. At June 30, 2011, our investment balance was $43 million, representing our current maximum pre-tax exposure to loss. Under the terms and conditions of the transaction, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to loss. Future contributions will commence once certain levels of tax credits have been generated and will continue through the expiration of the tax credits under Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code, which occurs at the end of 2019. We are only obligated to make future contributions to the extent tax credits are generated. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of this entity as we do not have the power to individually direct the entity’s activities. Accordingly, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting and do not consolidate the entity. Additional information related to this investment is discussed in Note 5.

Investment in Federal Low-income Housing Tax Credits — In April 2010, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a limited liability company established to invest in and manage low-income housing properties. We support the operations of the entity in exchange for a pro-rata share of the tax credits it generates. Our target return on the investment is guaranteed and, therefore, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to loss. Our consideration for this investment totaled $221 million, which was comprised of a $215 million note payable and an initial cash payment of $6 million. At June 30, 2011, our investment balance was $190 million and our debt balance was $187 million. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of this entity as we do not have the power to individually direct the entity’s activities. Accordingly, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting and do not consolidate the entity. Additional information related to this investment is discussed in Note 5.

Trusts for Final Capping, Closure, Post-Closure or Environmental Remediation Obligations — We have significant financial interests in trust funds that were created to settle certain of our final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation obligations. We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of certain of these trust funds because power over the trusts’ significant activities is shared.

Our interests in these variable interest entities are accounted for as equity investments in unconsolidated entities and receivables. These amounts are recorded in “Other receivables” and as long-term “Other assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Our investments and receivables related to the trusts had an aggregate carrying value of $105 million as of June 30, 2011. We reflect our interests in the unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities held by these trusts as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income.”

As the party with primary responsibility to fund the related final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation activities, we are exposed to risk of loss as a result of potential changes in the fair value of the assets of the trust. The fair value of trust assets can fluctuate due to (i) changes in the market value of the investments held by the trusts and (ii) credit risk associated with trust receivables. Although we are exposed to changes in the fair value of the trust assets, we currently expect the trust funds to continue to meet the statutory requirements for which they were established.

- Definition

Disclosure of variable interest entities (VIE), including, but not limited to the nature, purpose, size, and activities of the VIE, the carrying amount and classification of consolidated assets that are collateral for the VIE's obligations, lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of a consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary. An enterprise that holds a significant variable interest in a VIE but is not the primary beneficiary may disclose the nature of its involvement with the VIE and when that involvement began, the nature, purpose, size, and activities of the VIE and the enterprise's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the VIE.

+ References+ Details

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements


13.	Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

WM Holdings has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of WM’s senior indebtedness. WM has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of WM Holdings’ senior indebtedness. None of WM’s other subsidiaries have guaranteed any of WM’s or WM Holdings’ debt. As a result of these guarantee arrangements, we are required to present the following condensed consolidating financial information (in millions):

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

June 30, 2011

(Unaudited)


			WM		Non-Guarantor
	WM		Holdings		Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	325	$	—	$	46	$	—		$	371
Other current assets		6		—		1,997		—			2,003

		331		—		2,043		—			2,374
Property and equipment, net		—		—		11,919		—			11,919
Investments in and advances to affiliates		11,310		14,261		3,135		(28,706	)		—
Other assets		114		12		7,164		—			7,290

Total assets	$	11,755	$	14,273	$	24,261	$	(28,706	)	$	21,583


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	35	$	—	$	163	$	—		$	198
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		84		13		2,000		—			2,097

		119		13		2,163		—			2,295
Long-term debt, less current portion		5,323		449		3,067		—			8,839
Other liabilities		22		—		3,804		—			3,826

Total liabilities		5,464		462		9,034		—			14,960
Equity:
Stockholders’ equity		6,291		13,811		14,895		(28,706	)		6,291
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		332		—			332

		6,291		13,811		15,227		(28,706	)		6,623

Total liabilities and equity	$	11,755	$	14,273	$	24,261	$	(28.706	)	$	21,583

December 31, 2010


			WM		Non-Guarantor
	WM		Holdings		Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	465	$	—	$	74	$	—		$	539
Other current assets		4		1		1,938		—			1,943

		469		1		2,012		—			2,482
Property and equipment, net		—		—		11,868		—			11,868
Investments in and advances to affiliates		10,757		13,885		2,970		(27,612	)		—
Other assets		91		12		7,023		—			7,126

Total assets	$	11,317	$	13,898	$	23,873	$	(27,612	)	$	21,476


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	—	$	1	$	232	$	—		$	233
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		93		17		2,142		—			2,252

		93		18		2,374		—			2,485
Long-term debt, less current portion		4,951		596		3,127		—			8,674
Other liabilities		13		—		3,713		—			3,726

Total liabilities		5,057		614		9,214		—			14,885
Equity:
Stockholders’ equity		6,260		13,284		14,328		(27,612	)		6,260
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		331		—			331

		6,260		13,284		14,659		(27,612	)		6,591

Total liabilities and equity	$	11,317	$	13,898	$	23,873	$	(27,612	)	$	21,476

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	3,347		$	—		$	3,347
Costs and expenses		—			—			2,841			—			2,841

Income from operations		—			—			506			—			506

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)		(86	)		(8	)		(23	)		—			(117	)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes		290			295			—			(585	)		—
Other, net		—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)

		204			287			(31	)		(585	)		(125	)

Income before income taxes		204			287			475			(585	)		381
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(33	)		(3	)		167			—			131

Consolidated net income		237			290			308			(585	)		250
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			13			—			13

Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	237		$	290		$	295		$	(585	)	$	237

Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	3,158		$	—		$	3,158
Costs and expenses		—			—			2,572			—			2,572

Income from operations		—			—			586			—			586

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)		(78	)		(9	)		(27	)		—			(114	)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes		293			299			—			(592	)		—
Other, net		—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)

		215			290			(35	)		(592	)		(122	)

Income before income taxes		215			290			551			(592	)		464
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(31	)		(3	)		240			—			206

Consolidated net income		246			293			311			(592	)		258
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			12			—			12

Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	246		$	293		$	299		$	(592	)	$	246

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,450		$	—		$	6,450
Costs and expenses		—			—			5,517			—			5,517

Income from operations		—			—			933			—			933

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)		(171	)		(17	)		(47	)		—			(235	)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes		527			537			—			(1,064	)		—
Other, net		—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)

		356			520			(58	)		(1,064	)		(246	)

Income before income taxes		356			520			875			(1,064	)		687
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(67	)		(7	)		315			—			241

Consolidated net income		423			527			560			(1,064	)		446
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			23			—			23

Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	423		$	527		$	537		$	(1,064	)	$	423

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,093		$	—		$	6,093
Costs and expenses		—			—			5,095			—			5,095

Income from operations		—			—			998			—			998

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)		(153	)		(19	)		(54	)		—			(226	)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes		521			533			—			(1,054	)		—
Other, net		—			—			(6	)		—			(6	)

		368			514			(60	)		(1,054	)		(232	)

Income before income taxes		368			514			938			(1,054	)		766
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(60	)		(7	)		383			—			316

Consolidated net income		428			521			555			(1,054	)		450
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			22			—			22

Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	428		$	521		$	533		$	(1,054	)	$	428

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$	423		$	527		$	560		$	(1,064	)	$	446
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes		(527	)		(537	)		—			1,064			—
Other adjustments		2			(3	)		633			—			632

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(102	)		(13	)		1,193			—			1,078

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			—			(157	)		—			(157	)
Capital expenditures		—			—			(596	)		—			(596	)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets		—			—			13			—			13
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net		(5	)		—			(79	)		—			(84	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(5	)		—			(819	)		—			(824	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings		396			—			8			—			404
Debt repayments		—			(147	)		(167	)		—			(314	)
Common stock repurchases		(168	)		—			—			—			(168	)
Cash dividends		(323	)		—			—			—			(323	)
Exercise of common stock options		35			—			—			—			35
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other		(10	)		—			(49	)		—			(59	)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net		37			160			(197	)		—			—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(33	)		13			(405	)		—			(425	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			3			—			3

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(140	)		—			(28	)		—			(168	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		465			—			74			—			539

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	325		$	—		$	46		$	—		$	371

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$	428		$	521		$	555		$	(1,054	)	$	450
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes		(521	)		(533	)		—			1,054			—
Other adjustments		9			(2	)		519			—			526

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(84	)		(14	)		1,074			—			976

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			—			(237	)		—			(237	)
Capital expenditures		—			—			(475	)		—			(475	)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets		—			—			27			—			27
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net		—			—			(138	)		—			(138	)

Net cash used in investing activities		—			—			(823	)		—			(823	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings		592			—			114			—			706
Debt repayments		(17	)		(35	)		(161	)		—			(213	)
Common stock repurchases		(286	)		—			—			—			(286	)
Cash dividends		(305	)		—			—			—			(305	)
Exercise of common stock options		13			—			—			—			13
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other		(13	)		—			(25	)		—			(38	)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net		39			52			(91	)		—			—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		23			17			(163	)		—			(123	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			(1	)		—			(1	)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(61	)		3			87			—			29
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,093			—			47			—			1,140

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,032		$	3		$	134		$	—		$	1,169

- Definition

Text block that encapsulates the detailed table comprising the condensed financial statements (balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows), normally using the registrant (parent) as the sole domain member. If condensed consolidating financial statements are being presented, other domain members (in addition to parent) such as guarantor subsidiaries, non-guarantor subsidiaries, and the consolidation eliminations, will be included in order that the respective monetary amounts for each of the domains will aggregate to the respective amounts on the consolidated financial statements. The line items are the various captions used to compile the condensed financial statements. Using extensions, most, if not all, of the elements representing condensed financial statement captions will be the same as those used for the consolidated financial statements captions.

+ References+ Details

Subsequent Event

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Subsequent Event [Abstract]

Subsequent Event


15.	Subsequent Event

On July 28, 2011, we acquired Oakleaf Global Holdings and its primary operations for $425 million, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments. The acquisition was funded with a combination of cash on hand and cash borrowed under our $2.0 billion revolving credit facility.

The acquired operations of Oakleaf Global Holdings, a privately-owned waste services company providing outsourced waste and recycling services through a nationwide network of third-party haulers, generated approximately $580 million in revenues in 2010. We acquired Oakleaf Global Holdings to advance our growth and transformation strategies. The acquisition is intended to increase our national accounts customer base and enhance our ability to provide comprehensive environmental solutions.

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2011
Basis of Presentation (Policies) [Abstract]
Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements	Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements — In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended authoritative guidance associated with multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. This amended guidance addresses the determination of when individual deliverables within an arrangement are required to be treated as separate units of accounting and modifies the manner in which consideration is allocated across the separately identifiable deliverables. The amendments to authoritative guidance associated with multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements became effective for the Company on January 1, 2011. The new accounting standard has been applied prospectively to arrangements entered into or materially modified after the date of adoption. The adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. However, our adoption of this guidance may significantly impact our accounting and reporting for future revenue arrangements to the extent they are material.
Reclassifications	Certain reclassifications have been made to our prior period consolidated financial information in order to conform to the current year presentation.
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurement — In May 2011, the FASB amended authoritative guidance associated with fair value measurements. This amended guidance defines certain requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The amendments to authoritative guidance associated with fair value measurements are effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and are to be applied prospectively. We are in the process of assessing the provisions of this new guidance and currently do not expect that the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Tables) [Abstract]

Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs

Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs are presented in the table below (in millions):


	June 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
			Environmental						Environmental
	Landfill		Remediation		Total		Landfill		Remediation		Total

Current (in accrued liabilities)	$	104	$	42	$	146	$	105	$	43	$	148
Long-term		1,203		233		1,436		1,161		241		1,402

	$	1,307	$	275	$	1,582	$	1,266	$	284	$	1,550

Changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities

The changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the six months ended June 30, 2011 are reflected in the table below (in millions):


				Environmental
	Landfill			Remediation

December 31, 2009	$	1,267		$	256
Obligations incurred and capitalized		47			—
Obligations settled		(86	)		(36	)
Interest accretion		82			5
Revisions in cost estimates and interest rate assumptions		(49	)		61
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments		5			(2	)

December 31, 2010		1,266			284
Obligations incurred and capitalized		24			—
Obligations settled		(31	)		(16	)
Interest accretion		41			3
Revisions in cost estimates and interest rate assumptions		4			4
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments		3			—

June 30, 2011	$	1,307		$	275

Debt (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Debt (Tables) [Abstract]

Components of Debt


	June 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

Revolving credit facility	$	—	$	—
Letter of credit facilities		—		—
Canadian credit facility (weighted average effective interest rate of 2.3% at June 30, 2011 and 2.2% at December 31, 2010)		144		212
Senior notes and debentures, maturing through 2039, interest rates ranging from 4.60% to 7.75% (weighted average interest rate of 6.3% at June 30, 2011 and 6.5% at December 31, 2010)		5,710		5,452
Tax-exempt bonds maturing through 2039, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 7.4% (weighted average interest rate of 3.1% at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010)		2,671		2,696
Tax-exempt project bonds, principal payable in periodic installments, maturing through 2029, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 3.4% (weighted average interest rate of 1.3% at June 30, 2011 and 2.5% at December 31, 2010)		86		116
Capital leases and other, maturing through 2050, interest rates up to 12%		426		431

		9,037		8,907
Current portion of long-term debt		198		233

	$	8,839	$	8,674

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables) [Abstract]

Fair values of derivative instruments recorded in Balance Sheet

The following table summarizes the fair values of derivative instruments recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):


		June 30,		December 31,
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	Balance Sheet Location	2011		2010

Interest rate contracts	Current other assets	$	—	$	1
Interest rate contracts	Long-term other assets		50		37

Total derivative assets		$	50	$	38

Interest rate contracts	Current accrued liabilities	$	—	$	11
Electricity commodity contracts	Current accrued liabilities		2		1
Interest rate contracts	Long-term accrued liabilities		22		13
Foreign exchange contracts	Long-term accrued liabilities		17		3

Total derivative liabilities		$	41	$	28

Impact of changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and the underlying hedged items on results of operations


Three Months		Statement of Operations	Gain (Loss) on		Gain (Loss) on
Ended June 30,		Classification	Swap		Fixed-Rate Debt

	2011	Interest expense	$	18	$	(18	)
	2010	Interest expense	$	13	$	(13	)


Six Months		Statement of Operations	Gain (Loss) on		Gain (Loss) on
Ended June 30,		Classification	Swap		Fixed-Rate Debt

	2011	Interest expense	$	12	$	(12	)
	2010	Interest expense	$	14	$	(14	)

Impact of periodic settlements of active swap agreements and the impact of terminated swap agreements on results of operations

The following table summarizes the impact of periodic settlements of active swap agreements and the impact of terminated swap agreements on our results of operations (in millions):


	Three Months				Six Months
	Ended June 30,				Ended June 30,
Decrease to Interest Expense Due to Hedge Accounting for Interest Rate Swaps	2011		2010		2011		2010

Periodic settlements of active swap agreements(a)	$	6	$	8	$	11	$	18
Terminated swap agreements		3		6		6		11

	$	9	$	14	$	17	$	29


(a)		These amounts represent the net of our periodic variable-rate interest obligations and the swap counterparties’ fixed-rate interest obligations. Our variable-rate obligations are based on a spread from the three-month LIBOR.

Pretax impacts of our foreign currency cash flow derivatives on our comprehensive income and results of operations


						Derivative Gain or
		Derivative Gain or				(Loss) Reclassified
		(Loss) Recognized				from AOCI into
Three Months		in OCI			Statement of Operations	Income
Ended June 30,		(Effective Portion)			Classification	(Effective Portion)

	2011	$	(3	)	Other income (expense)	$	(2	)
	2010	$	17		Other income (expense)	$	17


						Derivative Gain or
		Derivative Gain or				(Loss) Reclassified
		(Loss) Recognized				from AOCI into
Six Months		in OCI			Statement of Operations	Income
Ended June 30,		(Effective Portion)			Classification	(Effective Portion)

	2011	$	(14	)	Other income (expense)	$	(12	)
	2010	$	5		Other income (expense)	$	5

Comprehensive Income (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Comprehensive Income (Tables) [Abstract]

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income was as follows (in millions):


	Three Months						Six Months
	Ended June 30,						Ended June 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

Consolidated net income	$	250		$	258		$	446		$	450

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized losses resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes		(8	)		(22	)		(13	)		(33	)
Realized (gains) losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes		1			(9	)		9			—
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of taxes		1			(1	)		(1	)		—
Foreign currency translation adjustments		8			(37	)		36			(10	)
Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes		—			(1	)		(2	)		(1	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)		2			(70	)		29			(44	)

Comprehensive income		252			188			475			406
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(13	)		(12	)		(23	)		(22	)

Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	239		$	176		$	452		$	384

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. Stockholders' equity

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity, were as follows (in millions):


	June 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010

Accumulated unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of taxes	$	(37	)	$	(33	)
Accumulated unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes		4			5
Foreign currency translation adjustments		297			261
Funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes		(5	)		(3	)

	$	259		$	230

Segment and Related Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Reportable segments

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments for the three and six months ended June 30 is shown in the following table (in millions):


	Gross		Intercompany			Net
	Operating		Operating			Operating		Income from
	Revenues		Revenues			Revenues		Operations

Three Months Ended:
June 30, 2011
Eastern	$	800	$	(136	)	$	664	$	141
Midwest		828		(126	)		702		156
Southern		862		(105	)		757		193
Western		825		(114	)		711		142
Wheelabrator		226		(30	)		196		42
Other		330		(13	)		317		(21	)

		3,871		(524	)		3,347		653
Corporate and Other		—		—			—		(147	)

Total	$	3,871	$	(524	)	$	3,347	$	506

June 30, 2010
Eastern	$	774	$	(140	)	$	634	$	143
Midwest		780		(119	)		661		141
Southern		876		(104	)		772		206
Western		799		(112	)		687		141
Wheelabrator		217		(29	)		188		47
Other		225		(9	)		216		(26	)

		3,671		(513	)		3,158		652
Corporate and Other		—		—			—		(66	)

Total	$	3,671	$	(513	)	$	3,158	$	586

Six Months Ended:
June 30, 2011
Eastern	$	1,504	$	(248	)	$	1,256	$	261
Midwest		1,556		(232	)		1,324		285
Southern		1,700		(203	)		1,497		385
Western		1,615		(222	)		1,393		282
Wheelabrator		436		(61	)		375		55
Other		623		(18	)		605		(35	)

		7,434		(984	)		6,450		1,233
Corporate and Other		—		—			—		(300	)

Total	$	7,434	$	(984	)	$	6,450	$	933

June 30, 2010
Eastern	$	1,459	$	(253	)	$	1,206	$	252
Midwest		1,474		(217	)		1,257		223
Southern		1,699		(201	)		1,498		406
Western		1,563		(215	)		1,348		270
Wheelabrator		423		(60	)		363		83
Other		440		(19	)		421		(55	)

		7,058		(965	)		6,093		1,179
Corporate and Other		—		—			—		(181	)

Total	$	7,058	$	(965	)	$	6,093	$	998

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Fair Value Measurements (Tables) [Abstract]

Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis

Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following (in millions):


			Fair Value Measurements at
			June 30, 2011 Using
			Quoted		Significant
			Prices in		Other		Significant
			Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	326	$	326	$	—	$	—
Available-for-sale securities		142		142		—		—
Interest rate derivatives		50		—		50		—

Total assets	$	518	$	468	$	50	$	—

Liabilities:
Electricity commodity derivatives	$	2	$	—	$	2	$	—
Interest rate derivatives		22		—		22		—
Foreign currency derivatives		17		—		17		—

Total liabilities	$	41	$	—	$	41	$	—


			Fair Value Measurements at
			December 31, 2010 Using
			Quoted		Significant
			Prices in		Other		Significant
			Active		Observable		Unobservable
			Markets		Inputs		Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)

Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	468	$	468	$	—	$	—
Available-for-sale securities		148		148		—		—
Interest rate derivatives		38		—		38		—

Total assets	$	654	$	616	$	38	$	—

Liabilities:
Electricity commodity derivatives	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	—
Interest rate derivatives		24		—		24		—
Foreign currency derivatives		3		—		3		—

Total liabilities	$	28	$	—	$	28	$	—

- Definition

This element represents the disclosure related to the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities which includes [financial] instruments measured at fair value that are classified in stockholders' equity. Such assets and liabilities may be measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The disclosures which may be required or desired include: (1) for assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis, disclosure may include: (a) the fair value measurements at the reporting date; (b) the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall, segregating fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), significant other observable inputs (Level 2), and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3); (c) for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances, separately presenting changes during the period attributable to the following: (i) total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), segregating those gains or losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets), and a description of where those gains or losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets) are reported in the statement of income (or activities); (ii) purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net); (iii) transfers in and transfers out of Level 3 (for example, transfers due to changes in the observability of significant inputs); (d) the amount of the total gains or losses for the period in subparagraph (c) (i) above included in earnings (or changes in net assets) that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date and a description of where those unrealized gains or losses are reported in the statement of income (or activities); (e) the valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques, if any, during the period and (2) for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (for example, impaired assets) disclosure may include, in addition to (a) above: (a) the reasons for the fair value measurements recorded; (b) the same as (b) above; (c) for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a description of the inputs and the information used to develop the inputs; and (d) the valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes, if any, in the valuation technique(s) used to measure similar assets and/or liabilities in prior periods.

+ References+ Details

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables) [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

June 30, 2011

(Unaudited)


			WM		Non-Guarantor
	WM		Holdings		Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	325	$	—	$	46	$	—		$	371
Other current assets		6		—		1,997		—			2,003

		331		—		2,043		—			2,374
Property and equipment, net		—		—		11,919		—			11,919
Investments in and advances to affiliates		11,310		14,261		3,135		(28,706	)		—
Other assets		114		12		7,164		—			7,290

Total assets	$	11,755	$	14,273	$	24,261	$	(28,706	)	$	21,583


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	35	$	—	$	163	$	—		$	198
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		84		13		2,000		—			2,097

		119		13		2,163		—			2,295
Long-term debt, less current portion		5,323		449		3,067		—			8,839
Other liabilities		22		—		3,804		—			3,826

Total liabilities		5,464		462		9,034		—			14,960
Equity:
Stockholders’ equity		6,291		13,811		14,895		(28,706	)		6,291
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		332		—			332

		6,291		13,811		15,227		(28,706	)		6,623

Total liabilities and equity	$	11,755	$	14,273	$	24,261	$	(28.706	)	$	21,583

December 31, 2010


			WM		Non-Guarantor
	WM		Holdings		Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	465	$	—	$	74	$	—		$	539
Other current assets		4		1		1,938		—			1,943

		469		1		2,012		—			2,482
Property and equipment, net		—		—		11,868		—			11,868
Investments in and advances to affiliates		10,757		13,885		2,970		(27,612	)		—
Other assets		91		12		7,023		—			7,126

Total assets	$	11,317	$	13,898	$	23,873	$	(27,612	)	$	21,476


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	—	$	1	$	232	$	—		$	233
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		93		17		2,142		—			2,252

		93		18		2,374		—			2,485
Long-term debt, less current portion		4,951		596		3,127		—			8,674
Other liabilities		13		—		3,713		—			3,726

Total liabilities		5,057		614		9,214		—			14,885
Equity:
Stockholders’ equity		6,260		13,284		14,328		(27,612	)		6,260
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		331		—			331

		6,260		13,284		14,659		(27,612	)		6,591

Total liabilities and equity	$	11,317	$	13,898	$	23,873	$	(27,612	)	$	21,476

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011

(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	3,347		$	—		$	3,347
Costs and expenses		—			—			2,841			—			2,841

Income from operations		—			—			506			—			506

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)		(86	)		(8	)		(23	)		—			(117	)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes		290			295			—			(585	)		—
Other, net		—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)

		204			287			(31	)		(585	)		(125	)

Income before income taxes		204			287			475			(585	)		381
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(33	)		(3	)		167			—			131

Consolidated net income		237			290			308			(585	)		250
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			13			—			13

Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	237		$	290		$	295		$	(585	)	$	237

Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	3,158		$	—		$	3,158
Costs and expenses		—			—			2,572			—			2,572

Income from operations		—			—			586			—			586

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)		(78	)		(9	)		(27	)		—			(114	)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes		293			299			—			(592	)		—
Other, net		—			—			(8	)		—			(8	)

		215			290			(35	)		(592	)		(122	)

Income before income taxes		215			290			551			(592	)		464
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(31	)		(3	)		240			—			206

Consolidated net income		246			293			311			(592	)		258
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			12			—			12

Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	246		$	293		$	299		$	(592	)	$	246

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,450		$	—		$	6,450
Costs and expenses		—			—			5,517			—			5,517

Income from operations		—			—			933			—			933

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)		(171	)		(17	)		(47	)		—			(235	)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes		527			537			—			(1,064	)		—
Other, net		—			—			(11	)		—			(11	)

		356			520			(58	)		(1,064	)		(246	)

Income before income taxes		356			520			875			(1,064	)		687
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(67	)		(7	)		315			—			241

Consolidated net income		423			527			560			(1,064	)		446
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			23			—			23

Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	423		$	527		$	537		$	(1,064	)	$	423

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	6,093		$	—		$	6,093
Costs and expenses		—			—			5,095			—			5,095

Income from operations		—			—			998			—			998

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)		(153	)		(19	)		(54	)		—			(226	)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes		521			533			—			(1,054	)		—
Other, net		—			—			(6	)		—			(6	)

		368			514			(60	)		(1,054	)		(232	)

Income before income taxes		368			514			938			(1,054	)		766
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(60	)		(7	)		383			—			316

Consolidated net income		428			521			555			(1,054	)		450
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		—			—			22			—			22

Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$	428		$	521		$	533		$	(1,054	)	$	428

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$	423		$	527		$	560		$	(1,064	)	$	446
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes		(527	)		(537	)		—			1,064			—
Other adjustments		2			(3	)		633			—			632

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(102	)		(13	)		1,193			—			1,078

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			—			(157	)		—			(157	)
Capital expenditures		—			—			(596	)		—			(596	)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets		—			—			13			—			13
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net		(5	)		—			(79	)		—			(84	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(5	)		—			(819	)		—			(824	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings		396			—			8			—			404
Debt repayments		—			(147	)		(167	)		—			(314	)
Common stock repurchases		(168	)		—			—			—			(168	)
Cash dividends		(323	)		—			—			—			(323	)
Exercise of common stock options		35			—			—			—			35
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other		(10	)		—			(49	)		—			(59	)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net		37			160			(197	)		—			—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(33	)		13			(405	)		—			(425	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			3			—			3

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(140	)		—			(28	)		—			(168	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		465			—			74			—			539

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	325		$	—		$	46		$	—		$	371

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
(Unaudited)


				WM			Non-Guarantor
	WM			Holdings			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated

Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$	428		$	521		$	555		$	(1,054	)	$	450
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes		(521	)		(533	)		—			1,054			—
Other adjustments		9			(2	)		519			—			526

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(84	)		(14	)		1,074			—			976

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			—			(237	)		—			(237	)
Capital expenditures		—			—			(475	)		—			(475	)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets		—			—			27			—			27
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net		—			—			(138	)		—			(138	)

Net cash used in investing activities		—			—			(823	)		—			(823	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings		592			—			114			—			706
Debt repayments		(17	)		(35	)		(161	)		—			(213	)
Common stock repurchases		(286	)		—			—			—			(286	)
Cash dividends		(305	)		—			—			—			(305	)
Exercise of common stock options		13			—			—			—			13
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other		(13	)		—			(25	)		—			(38	)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net		39			52			(91	)		—			—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		23			17			(163	)		—			(123	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			(1	)		—			(1	)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(61	)		3			87			—			29
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,093			—			47			—			1,140

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,032		$	3		$	134		$	—		$	1,169

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs
Current (in accrued liabilities)	$ 146	$ 148
Long-term	1,436	1,402
Total	1,582	1,550
Landfill Liabilities [Member]
Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs
Current (in accrued liabilities)	104	105
Long-term	1,203	1,161
Total	1,307	1,266	1,267
Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Member]
Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs
Current (in accrued liabilities)	42	43
Long-term	233	241
Total	$ 275	$ 284

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities
Ending Balance	$ 1,582	$ 1,550
Ending Balance	275
Landfill Liabilities [Member]
Changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities
Beginning Balance, Landfill	1,266	1,267
Obligations incurred and capitalized	24	47
Obligations settled	(31)	(86)
Interest accretion	41	82
Revisions in cost estimates and interest rate assumptions	4	(49)
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	3	5
Ending Balance	1,307	1,266
Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Member]
Changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities
Beginning Balance, Landfill	284
Beginning Balance, Environmental Remediation	284	256
Obligations incurred and capitalized	0	0
Obligations settled	(16)	(36)
Interest accretion	3	5
Revisions in cost estimates and interest rate assumptions	4	61
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	0	(2)
Ending Balance	275	284
Ending Balance	$ 275	$ 284

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011
Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fair value of trust funds and escrow accounts	$ 120
Carrying value of restricted trust funds and escrow accounts for which company is the not sole beneficiary specifically for future settlement of landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	$ 105

Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Components of Debt
Revolving credit facility	$ 0	$ 0
Letter of credit facilities	0	0
Canadian credit facility (weighted average effective interest rate of 2.3 % at June 30, 2011 and 2.2 % December 31, 2010)	144	212
Senior notes and debentures, maturing through 2039, interest rates ranging from 4.60% to 7.75% (weighted average interest rate of 6.3% at June 30, 2011 and 6.5% at December 31,2010)	5,710	5,452
Tax-exempt bonds maturing through 2039, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 7.4% (weighted average interest rate of 3.1% at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010)	2,671	2,696
Tax-exempt project bonds, principal payable in periodic installments, maturing through 2029, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 3.4% (weighted average interest rate of 1.3% at June 30, 2011 and 2.5% at December 31, 2010)	86	116
Capital leases and other, maturing through 2050, interest rates up to 12%	426	431
Components of Debt, total	9,037	8,907
Current portion of long-term debt	198	233
Long term Debt, less current portion of long-term debt	$ 8,839	$ 8,674

Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Feb. 28, 2011 4.60% senior notes due March 2021 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 7.65% senior notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Capital leases and other [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Senior notes and debentures [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Senior notes and debentures [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Tax exempt project bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Tax exempt project bonds [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Tax exempt bonds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Tax exempt bonds [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Canadian credit facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Canadian credit facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt (Textuals) [Abstract]
Weighted average interest rate							6.30%	6.50%	1.30%	2.50%	3.10%	3.10%
Interest rate upper range						0.12	0.0775		0.034		0.074
Interest rate lower range							0.0460		0.001		0.001
Issued of senior notes				$ 400,000,000
Repayment of senior notes matured					147,000,000
Interest rate of Senior notes				4.60%	7.65%
Debt maturing within twelve months, total	321,000,000												144,000,000
Start period of maturity for debt instruments																2013
End period of maturity for debt instruments						2050	2039		2029		2039				2016	2015
Weighted average effective interest rate													2.30%	2.20%
Debt (Additional) (Textuals) [Abstract]
Debt maturing within 12 months classified as long-term	123,000,000
Net Repayment of Canadian credit facility debt	77,000,000
Revolving credit facility, total capacity	2,000,000,000
Canadian credit facility Principal amount outstanding net of discount	144,000,000		212,000,000
Proceeds from the debt issuance		396,000,000
Revolving credit and credit facilities, aggregate capacity	2,500,000,000
Letter of credit outstanding, revolving credit and letter of credit facilities	1,500,000,000
Letter of credit outstanding, revolving credit facility	$ 1,100,000,000

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair values of derivative instruments recorded in Balance Sheet
Derivative Assets Designated as Hedging Instruments	$ 50	$ 38
Derivative Liabilities Designated as Hedging Instruments	41	28
Interest Rate Contracts [Member] \| Current other assets [Member]
Fair values of derivative instruments recorded in Balance Sheet
Derivative Assets Designated as Hedging Instruments	0	1
Interest Rate Contracts [Member] \| Long-term other assets [Member]
Fair values of derivative instruments recorded in Balance Sheet
Derivative Assets Designated as Hedging Instruments	50	37
Interest Rate Contracts [Member] \| Current accrued liabilities [Member]
Fair values of derivative instruments recorded in Balance Sheet
Derivative Liabilities Designated as Hedging Instruments	0	11
Interest Rate Contracts [Member] \| Long-term accrued liabilities [Member]
Fair values of derivative instruments recorded in Balance Sheet
Derivative Liabilities Designated as Hedging Instruments	22	13
Electricity Commodity Contracts [Member] \| Current accrued liabilities [Member]
Fair values of derivative instruments recorded in Balance Sheet
Derivative Liabilities Designated as Hedging Instruments	2	1
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Long-term accrued liabilities [Member]
Fair values of derivative instruments recorded in Balance Sheet
Derivative Liabilities Designated as Hedging Instruments	$ 17	$ 3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 1) (Interest expense [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Gain (Loss) on Swap [Member]
Impact of changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and the underlying hedged items on results of operations
Impact of changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and the underlying hedged items on results of operations	$ 18	$ 13	$ 12	$ 14
Gain (Loss) on Fixed-Rate Debt [Member]
Impact of changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and the underlying hedged items on results of operations
Impact of changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps and the underlying hedged items on results of operations	$ (18)	$ (13)	$ (12)	$ (14)

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2010

Jun. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2010

Impact of periodic settlements of active swap agreements and the impact of terminated swap agreements on our results of operations

Decrease to interest expense due to hedge accounting for interest rate swaps for periodic settlements of active swap agreements

$ 6

^[1]

$ 8

^[1]

$ 11

^[1]

$ 18

^[1]

Decrease to interest expense due to hedge accounting for interest rate swaps for terminated swap agreements

Total

$ 9

$ 14

$ 17

$ 29

[1]	These amounts represent the net of our periodic variable-rate interest obligations and the swap counterparties' fixed-rate interest obligations. Our variable-rate obligations are based on a spread from the three-month LIBOR.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details 3) (Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member], Other income (expense) [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Other income (expense) [Member]
Impacts of foreign currency cash flow derivatives on results of operations and comprehensive income, pre-tax
Derivative Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion)	$ (3)	$ 17	$ (14)	$ 5
Derivative Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	$ (2)	$ 17	$ (12)	$ 5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details Textuals)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Megawatts	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) Megawatts	Oct. 31, 2013 CAD	Nov. 30, 2012 CAD	Nov. 30, 2011 CAD	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed-rate senior notes outstanding	$ 5,600,000,000			$ 5,600,000,000			$ 5,400,000,000
Senior notes swapped to variable interest rates	1,000,000,000			1,000,000,000			500,000,000
Percentage of senior notes swapped to variable interest rates	18.00%			18.00%			9.00%
Increase in carrying value of debt instruments from fair value hedge accounting for interest rate swaps	85,000,000			85,000,000			79,000,000
Notional Amount of Executed Interest Rate Swaps		600,000,000
Notional Amount of Matured Interest Rate Swaps		100,000,000
Deferred losses, net of taxes, related to Treasury rate locks included in accumulated other comprehensive income	14,000,000			14,000,000			16,000,000
Maximum term of cash flows hedged with Treasury rate locks				2032
Deferred losses related to Treasury rate locks reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense, pre tax	2,000,000		2,000,000	4,000,000	4,000,000
Deferred losses related to Treasury rate locks reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense, after tax	1,000,000		1,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Deferred losses related to Treasury rate locks scheduled to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive into interest expense over next 12 months, pre tax	7,000,000			7,000,000
Notional amounts of fixed-rate debt expected to be issued in 2011, 2012 and 2014											525,000,000
Tenor of forward-starting swaps in years				10
Notional amount of terminated forward-starting interest rate swaps		150,000,000
Cash paid to settle forward-starting interest rate swap agreements		9,000,000
Tenor of senior notes issued in February 2011 in years		10 years
Fair value of forward-starting swaps (interest rate derivatives) included in long-term liabilities	22,000,000			22,000,000			13,000,000
Pre tax gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income for changes in fair value of forward-starting interest rate swaps	(11,000,000)		(41,000,000)	(7,000,000)	(46,000,000)
After tax gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income due to changes in fair value of forward-starting interest rate swaps	(7,000,000)		(25,000,000)	(5,000,000)	(28,000,000)
Scheduled principal payments for foreign currency forward contracts included in hedged cash flows								370,000,000
Scheduled interest payments for foreign currency forward contracts included in hedged cash flows								10,000,000	11,000,000	10,000,000
(Loss)/gain recognized due to Adjustments to other comprehensive income for changes in the fair value of foreign currency cash flow hedges, after-tax	(2,000,000)		10,000,000	(8,000,000)	3,000,000
Adjustments for the reclassification of gains or (losses) from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, after-tax	$ (1,000,000)		$ 11,000,000	$ (7,000,000)	$ 3,000,000
Expected number of megawatt hours hedged by electricity swaps						1,600,000
Expected percentage of merchant electricity sales hedged						49.00%
Number of megawatt hours hedged by electricity swaps							672,360
Percentage of merchant electricity sales hedged	49.00%		45.00%	51.00%	25.00%		26.00%

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010 Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Investment In Refined Coal Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Investment In Refined Coal Facility [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash payments to acquire equity method investment						$ 6						$ 48
Income tax benefit, including tax credits, from equity method investment							11	11	18	11	4	7
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	(9)	(8)	(13)	(8)			6	8	12	8	2	2
Interest expense	(119)	(116)	(240)	(228)			(2)	(1)	(4)	(1)
Tax credits from equity method investment							7	8	11	8
Income Taxes (Additional) (Textuals)
Effective tax rate	34.50%	44.20%	35.10%	41.20%
Increase in the bonus depreciation allowance			50 to 100 percent
Percentage of deduction that applies to qualifying property					100.00%
Expected decrease in cash taxes due to acceleration of depreciation deduction on current year capital expenditures					$ 190

Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Comprehensive Income:
Consolidated net income	$ 250	$ 258	$ 446	$ 450
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes	(8)	(22)	(13)	(33)
Realized (gains) losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes	1	(9)	9	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of taxes	1	(1)	(1)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	8	(37)	36	(10)
Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes	0	(1)	(2)	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2	(70)	29	(44)
Comprehensive income	252	188	475	406
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(13)	(12)	(23)	(22)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	239	176	452	384
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. Stockholders' equity
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of taxes	(37)		(37)		(33)
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of taxes	4		4		5
Foreign currency translation adjustments	297		297		261
Funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes	(5)		(5)		(3)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 259		$ 259		$ 230

Earnings Per Share (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Common share data used for computing the basic and diluted earnings per share
Number of common shares outstanding at end of period	472.3	478.9	472.3	478.9
Effect of using weighted average common shares outstanding	1.9	3.2	2.6	2.6
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	474.2	482.1	474.9	481.5
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and other contingently issuable shares	1.8	3.7	2.1	3.1
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	476.0	485.8	477.0	484.6
Potentially issuable shares	17.3	15.7	17.3	15.7
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	0.1	0.2	0.1	3.7

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Future payments regarding guarantees of unconsolidated entities financial obligations		$ 11,000,000
Environmental remediation liability		275,000,000
Environmental Remediation Reasonably Possible Additional Losses, High Estimate		150,000,000
Number of sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP		79
Number of owned sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP		17
Number of non-owned sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP		62
Number of separate wage and hour lawsuits pending against certain of our subsidiaries in California, each seeking class certification		2
Dollar threshold for environmental matters requiring disclosure under Item 103 of the SEC's Regulation S-K		100,000
Approximate percentage of workforce covered by collective bargaining agreements		20.00%
Charge to "Operating" expenses for the agreed upon withdrawal of bargaining units from multiemployer pension plans, Central States	$ 28,000,000
Number of bargaining units withdrawn from multiemployer pension plans	3
Number of months expected for IRS audit(s) to be completed		6 and 18
Approximate number of homeowners' properties adjacent to or near certain of our landfills with agreements guaranteeing market value		900
Number of landfills adjacent to or near homeowners' properties with agreements guaranteeing market value		19
Term of Guarantees of financial obligations		Guarantees of unconsolidated entities' financial obligations maturing through 2020
Loss Contingency Settlement Agreement Consideration		A consent judgment finalizing the settlement was approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Superior Court on May 2, 2011. The settlement required the following payments, which were made as of June 30, 2011: $4.5 million for creation of a fund to be distributed to municipal customers of the three facilities by the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General; $2 million for civil penalties arising from alleged violations of regulations and permit conditions; and $500,000 as a donation to the Massachusetts Natural Resources Damages Trust. In addition, the Wheelabrator Group subsidiaries will fund $500,000 in supplemental environmental projects.

Segment and Related Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	$ 3,871	$ 3,671	$ 7,434	$ 7,058
Intercompany Operating Revenues	(524)	(513)	(984)	(965)
Net Operating Revenues	3,347	3,158	6,450	6,093
Income from Operations	506	586	933	998
Eastern [Member]
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	800	774	1,504	1,459
Intercompany Operating Revenues	(136)	(140)	(248)	(253)
Net Operating Revenues	664	634	1,256	1,206
Income from Operations	141	143	261	252
Midwest [Member]
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	828	780	1,556	1,474
Intercompany Operating Revenues	(126)	(119)	(232)	(217)
Net Operating Revenues	702	661	1,324	1,257
Income from Operations	156	141	285	223
Southern [Member]
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	862	876	1,700	1,699
Intercompany Operating Revenues	(105)	(104)	(203)	(201)
Net Operating Revenues	757	772	1,497	1,498
Income from Operations	193	206	385	406
Western [Member]
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	825	799	1,615	1,563
Intercompany Operating Revenues	(114)	(112)	(222)	(215)
Net Operating Revenues	711	687	1,393	1,348
Income from Operations	142	141	282	270
Wheelabrator [Member]
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	226	217	436	423
Intercompany Operating Revenues	(30)	(29)	(61)	(60)
Net Operating Revenues	196	188	375	363
Income from Operations	42	47	55	83
Other [Member]
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	330	225	623	440
Intercompany Operating Revenues	(13)	(9)	(18)	(19)
Net Operating Revenues	317	216	605	421
Income from Operations	(21)	(26)	(35)	(55)
Operating Group Total [Member]
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	3,871	3,671	7,434	7,058
Intercompany Operating Revenues	(524)	(513)	(984)	(965)
Net Operating Revenues	3,347	3,158	6,450	6,093
Income from Operations	653	652	1,233	1,179
Corporate and Other [Member]
Reportable segments
Gross Operating Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intercompany Operating Revenues	0	0	0	0
Net Operating Revenues	0	0	0	0
Income from Operations	$ (147)	$ (66)	$ (300)	$ (181)

(Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
(Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items (Details) [Abstract]
Non-cash charge recognized due to abandonment of software license for waste and recycling revenue management system			$ 51
Increase in Income from operations due to settlement related to revenue management software implementation	$ 77	$ 77

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$ 326	$ 468
Available-for-sale securities	142	148
Interest rate derivatives	50	38
Total assets	518	654
Liabilities:
Electricity commodity derivatives	2	1
Interest rate derivatives	22	24
Foreign currency derivatives	17	3
Total liabilities	41	28
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Liabilities:
Electricity commodity derivatives	0	0
Interest rate derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Liabilities:
Electricity commodity derivatives	2	1
Interest rate derivatives	22	24
Foreign currency derivatives	17	3
Total liabilities	41	28
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Liabilities:
Electricity commodity derivatives	0	0
Interest rate derivatives	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	326	468
Available-for-sale securities	142	148
Interest rate derivatives	0	0
Total assets	468	616
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Interest rate derivatives	50	38
Total assets	50	38
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Interest rate derivatives	0	0
Total assets	$ 0	$ 0

Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Limited Liability Company I [Member]	Apr. 30, 2010 Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Investment In Refined Coal Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Limited Liability Company II [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Limited Liability Company II [Member] Limited Liability Company I [Member]	Dec. 31, 2000 Limited Liability Company II [Member] Limited Liability Company I [Member]
Variable Interest Entities (Textuals) [Abstract]
Percentage of ownership in LLC's					0.50%				0.25%
Percentage of variable interest entities owned by other companies					99.50%				99.75%
Reporting entity percentage of interest in earnings of variable interest entity after achieving targeted returns										80.00%
Other companies percentage of interest in earnings of variable interest entity after achieving targeted returns										20.00%
Noncontrolling Interest										$ 243
Value of notes payable included in consideration for investment						215
Cash payments to acquire equity method investment						6		48
Investment balance							190	43
Equity method investments debt balance							187
Consolidated variable interest entity carrying amount of asset										313
Total initial investment by other companies											167
Consideration for investment						221
Variable Interest Entities (Additional) (Details) [Abstract]
Expense recognized for other companies' noncontrolling interests in LLCs earnings	12	12	25	25
Carrying value of restricted trust funds and escrow accounts for which company is the not sole beneficiary specifically for future settlement of landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	$ 105		$ 105
Under the LLC agreements, the LLC shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of any of the following events			(i)A written decision of all members of the LLCs; (ii) December31, 2063; (iii) a court's dissolution of the LLCs; or (iv) the LLCs ceasing to own any interest in the waste-to-energy facilities.

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 371	$ 539	$ 1,169	$ 1,140
Other current assets	2,003	1,943
Total current assets	2,374	2,482
Property and equipment, net	11,919	11,868
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0	0
Other assets	7,290	7,126
Total assets	21,583	21,476
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	198	233
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	2,097	2,252
Total current liabilities	2,295	2,485
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,839	8,674
Other liabilities	3,826	3,726
Total liabilities	14,960	14,885
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	6,291	6,260
Noncontrolling interests	332	331
Total equity	6,623	6,591
Total liabilities and equity	21,583	21,476
WM [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	325	465	1,032	1,093
Other current assets	6	4
Total current assets	331	469
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Investments in and advances to affiliates	11,310	10,757
Other assets	114	91
Total assets	11,755	11,317
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	35	0
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	84	93
Total current liabilities	119	93
Long-term debt, less current portion	5,323	4,951
Other liabilities	22	13
Total liabilities	5,464	5,057
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	6,291	6,260
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	6,291	6,260
Total liabilities and equity	11,755	11,317
WM Holdings [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	3	0
Other current assets	0	1
Total current assets	0	1
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Investments in and advances to affiliates	14,261	13,885
Other assets	12	12
Total assets	14,273	13,898
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	0	1
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	13	17
Total current liabilities	13	18
Long-term debt, less current portion	449	596
Other liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	462	614
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	13,811	13,284
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	13,811	13,284
Total liabilities and equity	14,273	13,898
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	46	74	134	47
Other current assets	1,997	1,938
Total current assets	2,043	2,012
Property and equipment, net	11,919	11,868
Investments in and advances to affiliates	3,135	2,970
Other assets	7,164	7,023
Total assets	24,261	23,873
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	163	232
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	2,000	2,142
Total current liabilities	2,163	2,374
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,067	3,127
Other liabilities	3,804	3,713
Total liabilities	9,034	9,214
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	14,895	14,328
Noncontrolling interests	332	331
Total equity	15,227	14,659
Total liabilities and equity	24,261	23,873
Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	0	0
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Investments in and advances to affiliates	(28,706)	(27,612)
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	(28,706)	(27,612)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt, less current portion	0	0
Other liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	(28,706)	(27,612)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	(28,706)	(27,612)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (28,706)	$ (27,612)

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Operating revenues	$ 3,347	$ 3,158	$ 6,450	$ 6,093
Costs and expenses	2,841	2,572	5,517	5,095
Income from operations	506	586	933	998
Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)	(117)	(114)	(235)	(226)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	0	0
Other, net	(8)	(8)	(11)	(6)
Total other income (expense)	(125)	(122)	(246)	(232)
Income before income taxes	381	464	687	766
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	131	206	241	316
Consolidated net income	250	258	446	450
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	13	12	23	22
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	237	246	423	428
WM [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses	0	0	0	0
Income from operations	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)	(86)	(78)	(171)	(153)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes	290	293	527	521
Other, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income (expense)	204	215	356	368
Income before income taxes	204	215	356	368
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(33)	(31)	(67)	(60)
Consolidated net income	237	246	423	428
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	237	246	423	428
WM Holdings [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses	0	0	0	0
Income from operations	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)	(8)	(9)	(17)	(19)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes	295	299	537	533
Other, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income (expense)	287	290	520	514
Income before income taxes	287	290	520	514
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(3)	(3)	(7)	(7)
Consolidated net income	290	293	527	521
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	290	293	527	521
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Operating revenues	3,347	3,158	6,450	6,093
Costs and expenses	2,841	2,572	5,517	5,095
Income from operations	506	586	933	998
Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)	(23)	(27)	(47)	(54)
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	0	0
Other, net	(8)	(8)	(11)	(6)
Total other income (expense)	(31)	(35)	(58)	(60)
Income before income taxes	475	551	875	938
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	167	240	315	383
Consolidated net income	308	311	560	555
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	13	12	23	22
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	295	299	537	533
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Costs and expenses	0	0	0	0
Income from operations	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense)	0	0	0	0
Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes	(585)	(592)	(1,064)	(1,054)
Other, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income (expense)	(585)	(592)	(1,064)	(1,054)
Income before income taxes	(585)	(592)	(1,064)	(1,054)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	0	0	0	0
Consolidated net income	(585)	(592)	(1,064)	(1,054)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ (585)	$ (592)	$ (1,064)	$ (1,054)

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 250	$ 258	$ 446	$ 450
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes			0	0
Other adjustments			632	526
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			1,078	976
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(157)	(237)
Capital expenditures			(596)	(475)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets			13	27
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net			(84)	(138)
Net cash used in investing activities			(824)	(823)
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings			404	706
Debt repayments			(314)	(213)
Common stock repurchases			(168)	(286)
Cash dividends			(323)	(305)
Exercise of common stock options			35	13
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other			(59)	(38)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net			0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(425)	(123)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			3	(1)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(168)	29
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			539	1,140
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	371	1,169	371	1,169
WM [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	237	246	423	428
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes			(527)	(521)
Other adjustments			2	9
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			(102)	(84)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			0	0
Capital expenditures			0	0
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets			0	0
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net			(5)	0
Net cash used in investing activities			(5)	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings			396	592
Debt repayments			0	(17)
Common stock repurchases			(168)	(286)
Cash dividends			(323)	(305)
Exercise of common stock options			35	13
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other			(10)	(13)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net			37	39
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(33)	23
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(140)	(61)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			465	1,093
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	325	1,032	325	1,032
WM Holdings [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	290	293	527	521
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes			(537)	(533)
Other adjustments			(3)	(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			(13)	(14)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			0	0
Capital expenditures			0	0
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets			0	0
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net			0	0
Net cash used in investing activities			0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings			0	0
Debt repayments			(147)	(35)
Common stock repurchases			0	0
Cash dividends			0	0
Exercise of common stock options			0	0
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other			0	0
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net			160	52
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			13	17
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			0	3
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	3	0	3
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	308	311	560	555
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes			0	0
Other adjustments			633	519
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			1,193	1,074
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(157)	(237)
Capital expenditures			(596)	(475)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets			13	27
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net			(79)	(138)
Net cash used in investing activities			(819)	(823)
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings			8	114
Debt repayments			(167)	(161)
Common stock repurchases			0	0
Cash dividends			0	0
Exercise of common stock options			0	0
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other			(49)	(25)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net			(197)	(91)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(405)	(163)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			3	(1)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(28)	87
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			74	47
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	46	134	46	134
Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	(585)	(592)	(1,064)	(1,054)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes			1,064	1,054
Other adjustments			0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			0	0
Capital expenditures			0	0
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets			0	0
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net			0	0
Net cash used in investing activities			0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings			0	0
Debt repayments			0	0
Common stock repurchases			0	0
Cash dividends			0	0
Exercise of common stock options			0	0
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other			0	0
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net			0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			0	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jul. 28, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011
Subsequent Event (Textuals) [Abstract]
Name of acquired entity	Oakleaf Global Holdings
Cost of acquired entity, purchase price			$ 425,000,000
Revolving credit facility, total capacity				2,000,000,000
Revenue reported by acquired entity for last annual period		$ 580,000,000
Reason for business combination	We acquired Oakleaf Global Holdings to advance our growth and transformation strategies. The acquisition is intended to increase our national accounts customer base and enhance our ability to provide comprehensive environmental solutions.

Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value Measurements (Textuals) [Abstract]
Carrying value of debt	$ 9.0	$ 8.9
Estimated fair value of debt	$ 9.6	$ 9.2

Segment and Related Information (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2010
Segment and Related Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Charge to "Operating" expenses for the agreed upon withdrawal of bargaining units from multiemployer pension plans, Central States	$ 28