Document and Company Information. Document and Company Information [Abstract] Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Segment and Related Information Segment and Related Information [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract] Income Taxes Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Commitments and Contingencies Restructuring Segment and Related Information Total liabilities and equity Noncontrolling interests Additional paid-in capital Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity: Total liabilities Other liabilities Deferred income taxes Total current liabilities Current liabilities: LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Total assets Other assets Other intangible assets, net Goodwill Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $13929 and $13,273, respectively Total current assets Deferred income taxes Parts and supplies Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $32 and $39, respectively Cash and cash equivalents Current assets: ASSETS Allowance for doubtful accounts Accumulated depreciation and amortization Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized (actual number) Common stock, shares issued (actual number) Treasury stock, shares (actual number) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. Provision for income taxes Other, net Income from operations The aggregate amount of asset impairment charges, gains and losses related to the divestiture of businesses, and unsual items incurred during an accounting period. Generally, these items are either unusual or infrequent, but not both (in which case they would be extraordinary items). (Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items Costs and expenses: Selling, general and administrative Restructuring Total costs and expenses Basic earnings per common share Diluted earnings per common share Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets Increase in cash and cash equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Net cash used in financing activities Other Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions Common stock repurchases Cash flows from financing activities: Net cash used in investing activities Other Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Cash flows from investing activities: Net cash provided by operating activities Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures: Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions Net gain on disposal of assets Equity-based compensation expense Provision for bad debts Deferred income tax (benefit) provision Cash flows from operating activities: Shares, Ending (in thousands) Shares, Beginning (in thousands) Common stock repurchases, shares (in thousands) Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign currency translation adjustments Realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $6 and $24 respectively Unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments, net of taxes of $13, $25, $22 for 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Common Stock Document and Company Information [Abstract] Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets Tax effects on realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings Tax effects on unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interests Interest accretion on landfill liabilities Interest accretion on landfill liabilities Interest accretion on landfill liabilities Receivables Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total New borrowings Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt and Capital Securities, Net, Total Debt repayments Repayments of Long-term Debt and Capital Securities, Total Cash dividends Other receivables Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents Deferred income taxes Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (actual number) Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Total equity Consolidated net income Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive income Beginning Ending Other assets Total current assets Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $13,994 and $13,273, respectively Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Other intangible assets, net Other assets Total current liabilities Other liabilities Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $31 and $39, respectively Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Treasury stock at cost, 139,719,246 and 139,546,915 shares, respectively Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury stock at cost, 139,719,246 and 139,546,915 shares, respectively Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Treasury stock at cost, 139,719,246 and 139,546,915 shares, respectively Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Restructuring Restructuring Charges (Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items Effect of (income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items Consolidated net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets Equity-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation Net gain from disposal of assets Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Other Other Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Treasury stock at cost, 144,162,063 and 139,546,915 shares, respectively Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash, Total Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Debt repayments Repayments of Long-term Debt, Long-term Capital Lease Obligations, and Capital Securities Common stock repurchases Common stock repurchases Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Cash dividends Cash dividends Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $21, $24, $30 for 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Net gain on disposal of assets Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Other Receivables Consolidated net income Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Deferred revenues Deferred revenues Deferred Revenue and Credits, Current Current portion of long-term debt Current portion of long-term debt Debt, Current Long-term debt, less current portion Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Total Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Equity: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Document and Company Information [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] (Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items Unusual or Infrequent Items Disclosure [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities Accrued Capping Closure And Post Closure Costs And Environmental Loss Contingencies The estimated amount of costs required as of the balance sheet date to comply with regulatory requirements pertaining to the retirement of an asset, which will be paid after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable after twelve months or beyond the next operating cycle if longer. Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Asset Retirement Obligations And Environmental Loss Contingencies Disclosures Text Block Description of the asset retirement obligation and the associated long-lived asset. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement from service of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. This element may be used for all the disclosures related to asset retirement obligations. Disclosures of environmental loss contingencies, such as presence of hazardous waste, relevant information from reports issued by regulators, and estimated costs to achieve compliance with regulatory requirements. This element may be used for all of an entity's disclosures about environmental loss contingencies. This element may be used as a s ingle block of text to encapsulate the entire inventory disclosure including data and tables. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Assets [Abstract] Assets, Current [Abstract] Other Receivables Supplies Other Assets, Current Assets, Current Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Other Assets, Noncurrent Assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts Payable, Current Accrued Liabilities, Current Liabilities, Current Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Liabilities Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Treasury Stock, Shares Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Costs and Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Earnings Per Share, Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for Doubtful Accounts Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt and Capital Securities, Net Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Shares, Issued Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Tax Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Other Net income Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Cash dividends declared Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Document and Company Information [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation Depletion and Amortization associated with Property Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization associated with Property Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets. Other income (expense): Interest and Other Income Expense Abstract Interest and Other Income (Expense). Interest expense Interest expense Interest and Debt Expense Interest income Interest Income Interest Income. Other current assets Increase Decrease in Other Assets Current Increase (Decrease) in Other Assets, Current. Other assets Increase Decrease in Other Assets Non current Increase (Decrease) in Other Assets, Non-current. Deferred revenues and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets, Total Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets Proceeds from Divestitures of Businesses and Other Sales of Assets This element represents the cash inflow during the period from the sale of businesses and other assets. Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests, Total Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of taxes of $2, $4, $3 for 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively Other Comprehensive Income, Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Other Comprehensive Income, Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes Equity based compensation transactions including dividend equivalents net of taxes Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes. Common stock repurchases Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Other Stockholders' Equity, Other Tax effects on unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities Other Comprehensive Income, Available-for-sale Securities, Tax, Total Other Comprehensive Income, Available-for-sale Securities, Tax Total other income (expense) Interest and Other Income Expense Total Interest and Other Income (Expense), Total. Income before income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects Of Changes In Accounting Principles, And Noncontling Interest Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest. Cash dividends declared per common share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Total other income (expense) Deferred revenues and other liabilities Interest expense Capital expenditures Cash dividends declared per common share Operating revenues Revenues Operating Operating Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations excluding Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense, Restructuring Expense, and expense from Asset Impairments and Unusual Items. Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Balance Sheets [Abstract] Balance Sheets [Abstract] Statements of Operations [Abstract] Statements of Operations [Abstract] Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statements of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustments Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Income Taxes [Abstract] Restructuring [Abstract] (Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items [Abstract] Noncontrolling Interests Alternative Alternative [Abstract] Alternative. Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract} Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Comprehensive Income Accounting Changes and Reclassifications [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Reclassifications. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Business [Abstract] Business Nature of Operations [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Property and Equipment [Abstract] Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions and Divestitures [Abstract] Acquisitions and Divestitures. Acquisitions and Divestitures Acquisitions And Divestitures Text Block Acquisitions and Divestitures. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] Valuation And Qualifying Accounts. Change in funded status of defined benefit plan liabilities, net of taxes of $4, $5 and $3 for 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively Change in funded status of defined benefit plan liabilities, net of taxes of $4, $5 and $3 for 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax Accounting Changes and Reclassifications Accounting Changes And Reclassifications Text Block Accounting Changes and Reclassifications . Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] Variable Interest Entities. Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Variable Interest Entities Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements (Unaudited) [Abstract] Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Tax effects on change in funded status of defined benefit plan liabilities Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans, Tax, Total Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans, Tax Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Noncontrolling interests Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities, net of distributions Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions, Total Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions Minority interest Debt [Abstract] Debt. Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Derivatives [Abstract] Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Derivatives Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]