Document and Entity Information Document Type Document Type Document Annual Report Document Transition Report Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Securities Act File Number Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line Two Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, Postal Zip Code City Area Code Local Phone Number Title of 12(b) Security Trading Symbol Security Exchange Name Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag] Entity Shell Company Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Auditor Firm ID Auditor Name Auditor Location Entity Public Float Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Amendment Flag Amendment Flag CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $87 and $165, respectively Other Receivables, Net, Current Other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3 and $4, respectively Prepaid Supplies Parts and supplies Other Assets, Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and depletion of $25,096 and $23,777, respectively Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Other intangible assets, net Restricted Cash and Investments, Noncurrent Restricted funds Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Investments in unconsolidated entities Investments in unconsolidated entities Other Assets, Noncurrent Other long-term assets Assets Assets Total assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Deferred revenues Debt, Current Current portion of long-term debt Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation Long-term debt, less current portion Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Deferred income taxes Accrued Capping, Closure, Post-closure and Environmental Costs, Noncurrent Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities Long-term Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Treasury Stock, Common, Value Treasury stock at cost 227,340,757 and 228,788,284 shares, respectively Equity, Attributable to Parent Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending balance Beginning balance Total equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and equity Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Credit Loss, Receivable, Other, Current Allowance for other receivables Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization Accumulated depreciation and depletion Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common stock issued (in shares) Treasury Stock, Common, Shares Ending balance, treasury shares Beginning balance, treasury shares Treasury stock, shares CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Operating revenues Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Costs and expenses: Cost of Goods and Services Sold Operating Operating expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Depreciation and depletion expense Restructuring Charges Restructuring Restructuring charges The aggregate amount of asset impairment charges, (gains) and losses related to the divestiture of businesses and unusual items incurred during an accounting period. Gain Loss From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items (Gain) loss from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items, net (Gain) loss from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses Operating Income (Loss) Income from operations Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense): Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating Interest expense, net Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated entities Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Interest and other income (expense), total. Interest And Other Income Expense Total other income (expense) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Income tax expense Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Consolidated net income Consolidated net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings per common share Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings per common share CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax Derivative instruments, net OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss), after Adjustment and Tax Available-for-sale securities, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax Post-retirement benefit obligations, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax total Deferred income tax expense (benefit) Accretion Expense, Including Asset Retirement Obligations Interest accretion on landfill and environmental remediation liabilities Amount of expense (reversal of expense) for expected credit loss on doubtful accounts and other credit losses. Provision for Doubtful Accounts and Other Credit Losses Provision for bad debts Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Equity-based compensation expense Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Net gain on disposal of assets The (gain) loss from divestitures asset impairments and other, noncash portion. Gain Loss From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Other Noncash Portion (Gain) loss from divestitures, asset impairments and other, net Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions Equity in net (income) loss of unconsolidated entities, net of dividends Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Other Receivables Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities The increase (decrease) during the reporting period, excluding the portion taken into income, in the liability reflecting revenue yet to be earned for which cash or other forms of consideration was received or recorded as a receivable. Also includes the increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other liabilities used in operating activities not separately disclosed in the statement of cash flows. May include changes in other current liabilities, other noncurrent liabilities, or a combination of other current and noncurrent liabilities. Increase Decrease in Deferred Revenue and Other Operating Liabilities Deferred revenues and other liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Capital expenditures Proceeds from divestiture of businesses net of cash divested and proceeds from sales of assets investing activities. Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested And Proceeds From Sales Of Assets Investing Activities Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets, net of cash divested Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt and Capital Securities, Net New borrowings Net proceeds Repayment of Long-Term Debt, Long-Term Lease Obligation, and Capital Security Debt repayments Debt repayments Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Common stock repurchase program Cash paid for repurchase of common stock Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Cash dividends Cash dividends Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Exercise of common stock options Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-Based Payment Arrangement Tax payments associated with equity-based compensation transactions Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period: Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in other current assets Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in restricted funds Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Statement [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member] Treasury Stock, Common [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling Interests [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Equity roll forward Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Ending balance, common shares Beginning balance, common shares Number of common shares outstanding at end of period (in shares) Common stock outstanding (in shares) Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Cash dividends declared Restricted Stock, Value, Shares Issued Net of Tax Withholdings Equity-based compensation transactions, net Restricted Stock, Shares Issued Net of Shares for Tax Withholdings Equity-based compensation transactions, net (in shares) Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Common stock repurchase program Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Common stock repurchase program, (in shares) Shares repurchased (in shares) Stockholders' Equity, Other Other, net Stockholders' Equity, Other Shares Other, net, (in shares) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Cash dividends declared per common share Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Asset Retirement Obligation And Environmental Remediation Disclosure [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligation And Environmental Remediation Disclosure [Text Block] Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property and Equipment Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Leases The entire disclosure of information about leases. Lease Disclosure [Text Block] Leases Income Taxes