Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable Net Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $54 and $45, respectively Accretion expense and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets. Accretion Expense 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 Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Ending balance, environmental remediation Beginning balance, environmental remediation Environmental remediation liability Total, Environmental Remediation Accrual for environmental loss contingencies, increase (decrease) for acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments, including foreign currency translation. Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Increase Decrease For Acquisitions Divestitures And Other Adjustments Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Increase Decrease For Revision In Estimates Revisions in cost estimates and interest rate assumptions Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Payments Obligations settled Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Provision For New Losses Interest accretion Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure And Environmental Costs Current (in accrued liabilities) Accrued capping closure post closure and environmental costs disclosures. Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure And Environmental Costs Disclosures [Text Block] Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Accrued capping closure post closure and environmental costs net. Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure And Environmental Costs Net Total Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure And Environmental Costs Noncurrent Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities Long-term Accrued capping closure post closure and environmental costs roll forward analysis. Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure And Environmental Costs Roll Forward Analysis Table [Text Block] Changes to Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Accrued capping closure post closure and environmental costs. Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure And Environmental Costs Table [Text Block] Liabilities for Landfill and Environmental Remediation Costs Accrued capping closure post closure. Accrued Capping Closure Post Closure [Member] Landfill Liabilities [Member] Accrued Environmental Loss Contingencies Current Current (in accrued liabilities), Environmental Remediation Accrued Environmental Loss Contingencies Noncurrent Long-term, Environmental Remediation Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued liabilities Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Ending Balance, Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities Beginning Balance, Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Net Gain Loss From Cash Flow Hedges Effect Net Of Tax Ending Balance, Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments Beginning Balance, Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments Deferred losses, net of taxes, related to Treasury rate locks included in accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax Ending Balance, Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Beginning Balance, Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Ending Balance, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Beginning Balance, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Ending Balance, Total Beginning Balance, Total Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Other adjustments 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: Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Allowance for doubtful accounts Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Deferred Hedge Gains Terminated swap agreements Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding Approximate number of homeowners properties adjacent to or near certain of our landfills with agreements guaranteeing market value. Approximate Number Of Homeowners Properties Adjacent To Or Near Certain Of Our Landfills With Agreements Guaranteeing Market Value Approximate number of homeowners' properties adjacent to or near certain of our landfills with agreements guaranteeing market value Asset Retirement Obligation Ending balance, landfill Beginning balance, landfill Total, Landfill Liabilities Asset Retirement Obligation Accretion Expense Interest accretion Interest accretion on landfill liabilities Asset Retirement Obligation Current Current (in accrued liabilities), Landfill Asset Retirement Obligation Increase Decrease For Acquisitions Divestitures And Other Adjustments Asset Retirement Obligation Increase Decrease For Acquisitions Divestitures And Other Adjustments Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments Asset Retirement Obligation Liabilities Incurred Obligations incurred and capitalized Asset Retirement Obligation Liabilities Settled Obligations settled Asset Retirement Obligation Revision Of Estimate Revisions in cost estimates and interest rate assumptions Asset Retirement Obligations Noncurrent Long-term, Landfill Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Fair Value Disclosure Total assets Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Assets: Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Description containing the entire organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure. Describes the nature of an entity's business, the major products or services it sells or provides and its principal markets, including the locations of those markets. Provides an entity's explanation that the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of management estimates. Summarizes impact of changes in accounting principal required by application of new pronouncements. Classifications in the current financial statements may be different from classifications in the prior year's financial statements. Disclose any material changes in classification including an explanation of the reason for the change and the areas impacted. Basis Of Presentation [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration At Fair Value Additional consideration payable Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Potential Cash Payment Estimated fair value of liability for additional cash payments related to acquisitions Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Purchase Price Acquisition cost of acquired entity Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets Allocation of purchase price to Other intangible assets Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill Amount Allocation of purchase price to Goodwill Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Property Plant And Equipment Allocation of purchase price to Property and equipment Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Canadian credit facility. Canadian Credit Facility [Member] Canadian credit facility [Member] Capital leases and other. Capital Leases And Other Capital leases and other Capital leases and other. Capital Leases And Other [Member] Capital leases and other [Member] Carrying value of restricted trust funds and escrow accounts for which the company is not the sole beneficiary specifically for future settlement of landfill and environmental remediation liabilities. Carrying Value Of Restricted Trust Funds And Escrow Accounts For Which Company Is Not Sole Beneficiary Specifically For Future Settlement Of Landfill And Environmental Remediation Liabilities Carrying value of restricted trust funds and escrow accounts for which company is not the sole beneficiary specifically for future settlement of landfill and environmental remediation liabilities Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Cash Paid To Settle Cash Flow Hedge Instruments Cash Paid To Settle Cash Flow Hedge Instruments Cash paid to settle cash flow hedge instruments Change in intercompany and investments, net. Change In Intercompany And Investments Net (Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net Chemical Waste Management Inc [Member] Chemical Waste Management Inc [Member] CWM [Member] Commitment relating to loan agreement. Commitment Relating To Loan Agreement Total commitment Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commodity Contract [Member] Electricity commodity derivatives [Member] Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared Cash dividends declared per common share Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] 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 Shares Outstanding Number of common shares outstanding at end of period Common Stock Value Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued Component Of Other Operating Cost And Expense General [Axis] Component of Other Operating Cost and Expense [Axis] Component Of Other Operating Cost And Expense Name [Domain] Component of Other Operating Cost and Expense, Name [Domain] Components of debt, total. Components Of Debt Total long-term debt Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income Policy Policy [Text Block] Comprehensive Income Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract] Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract] Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Consolidation Eliminations [Member] Eliminations [Member] Corporate And Other [Member] Corporate and Other [Member] Costmethod Investments [Member] Cost-method Investments [Member] Costmethod Investments Other Than Temporary Impairment Impairment charge relating to decline in value of investment accounted under cost method Cost Of Goods And Services Sold Operating Costs And Expenses Costs and expenses Total costs and expenses Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current accrued liabilities. Current Accrued Liabilities [Member] Current accrued liabilities [Member] Total current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents. Current Assets Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents Other current assets Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Total current liabilities excluding current portion of long-term debt. Current Liabilities Excluding Current Portion Of Long Term Debt Accounts payable and other current liabilities Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Carrying value of debt Debt Current Current portion of long-term debt Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Rate Range Maximum Interest rate upper range Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Rate Range Minimum Interest rate lower range Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument Maturity Date Range End 1 End period of maturity for debt instruments Debt instrument maturity date range end one. Debt Instrument Maturity Date Range End One End period of maturity for debt instrument Debt Instrument Maturity Date Range Start 1 Start period of maturity for debt instruments Debt Instrument Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Tax-exempt bonds subject to re-pricing within next 12 months classified as long-term. Debt Maturing Within Months Classified As Long Term Debt maturing within twelve months classified as long-term Debt Maturing Within Twelve Months Debt Maturing Within Twelve Months Debt maturing within twelve months Debt Weighted Average Interest Rate Weighted average interest rate Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred income tax (benefit) provision Deferred Revenue And Credits Current Deferred revenues Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation and amortization Derivative By Nature [Axis] Derivative, by Nature [Axis] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset Derivative assets designated as hedging instruments Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability Derivative liabilities designated as hedging instruments Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments Gain Loss By Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Axis] Derivative Instruments Gain Loss By Hedging Relationship By Income Statement Location By Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Reclassified From Accumulated O C I Into Income Effective Portion Net Derivative Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income Effective Portion Net Amount of Derivative Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion) Derivative Liabilities Current Fair value of forward-starting swaps (interest rate derivatives) included in current liabilities Derivative Liabilities Noncurrent Fair value of forward-starting swaps (interest rate derivatives) included in long-term liabilities Derivative Name [Domain] Derivative, Name [Domain] Derivative Nonmonetary Notional Amount Percent Of Required Need Coverage Expected percentage of merchant electricity sales hedged Derivative Number Of Instruments Held Number of hedges outstanding Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Description Of Business [Line Items] Description Of Business [Line Items] Description Of Business [Line Items] Description Of Business [Table] Description Of Business [Table] Description Of Business [Table] Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Commitments And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure required under item one zero three of SEC's regulation Sk. Disclosure Required Under Item One Zero Three Of Secs Regulation Sk Dollar threshold for environmental matters requiring disclosure under item 103 of the SEC's Regulation S-K Distributions (paid to) received from noncontrolling interests and other. Distributions Received From Paid To Noncontrolling Interests And Other Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other Dividends Common Stock Cash Cash dividends declared Document Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Basic Basic earnings per common share Earnings Per Share Diluted Diluted earnings per common share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Effective tax rate Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Electric Derivative [Member] Electric Derivative [Member] Electric Derivative [Member] Electricity commodity derivatives. Electricity Commodity Derivatives [Member] Electricity commodity derivatives [Member] Employee Severance [Member] Employee Severance [Member] Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Environmental costs. Environmental Costs [Member] Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Member] Environmental Exit Cost By Property [Axis] Environmental Exit Cost by Property [Axis] Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items] Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items] Environmental Exit Costs Name Of Property [Domain] Environmental Exit Costs, Name of Property [Domain] Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract] Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] 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 Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes. Equity In Earnings Of Subsidiaries Net Of Taxes Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities and other, net Equity In Net Losses Of Unconsolidated Entities And Other Net Other, net Equity in subsidiaries, net of taxes. Equity In Subsidiaries Net Of Taxes Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes Equity Method Investee Name [Domain] Equity Method Investee, Name [Domain] Equity Method Investment Aggregate Cost Consideration for investment Equity method investment non-cash component. Equity Method Investment Non Cash Component Value of notes payable included in consideration for investment Equity Method Investments Investment balance Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity method investments debt balance. Equity Method Investments Debt Balance Equity method investments debt balance Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Operating Activities Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions Expected cost to construct facility. Expected Cost To Construct Facility Expected cost to construct Waste-to-Energy LLC facility Extraordinary And Unusual Items [Abstract] Extraordinary and Unusual Items [Abstract]