Document and Company Information. Document and Company Information [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Abstract] Debt Debt [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Taxes [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Restructuring Restructuring [Abstract] Segment and Related Information Segment and Related Information [Abstract] (Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items (Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract] Debt Income Taxes Comprehensive Income Commitments and Contingencies Restructuring Segment and Related Information Balance Sheets [Abstract] Balance Sheets Statements of Operations 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 $13,681 and $13,273, respectively Total current assets Deferred income taxes Parts and supplies Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $35 and $39, respectively Cash and cash equivalents Current assets: ASSETS Balance Sheets Parenthetical Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) [Abstract] 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 Income before income taxes Total other income (expense) Other, net Interest income Interest expense Other income (expense): 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 Depreciation and amortization Restructuring Total costs and expenses Basic earnings per common share Diluted earnings per common share Statements of Cash Flows Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] 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 Exercise of common stock options Common stock repurchases Cash flows from financing activities: Net cash used in investing activities Other Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Cash flows from investing activities: Net cash provided by operating activities Deferred revenues and other liabilities Other current assets 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 provision Cash flows from operating activities: Statements of Changes in Equity Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Comprehensive Income: Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes: Shares, Ending Balance (in thousands) Shares, Beginning Balance (in thousands) Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle Common stock repurchases Common stock repurchases, shares (in thousands) Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes, shares (in thousands) Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes Other comprehensive income (loss) Change in funded status of defined benefit plan liabilities, net of taxes of $0 and $5 respectively Translation adjustments on foreign currency statements Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $0 and $4 respectively Realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $6 and $24 respectively Unrealized losses resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments, net of taxes of $5 and $25 respectively Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Common Stock Document and Company Information [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] (Income) Expense from Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity [Abstract] Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets Statements of Operations [Abstract] Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity Parenthetical Abstract Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) [Abstract] Statements of Changes in Equity Parenthetical Tax effects on change in funded status of defined benefit plan liabilities Tax effects on unrealized losses on marketable securities Tax effects on realized gains on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings Tax effects on unrealized gains resulting from changes in fair values of derivative instruments Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interests [Member] Noncontrolling Interests Operating revenues Operating Cost of Goods and Services Sold, Total Cash dividends declared 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 Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, 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 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Other receivables Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash dividends declared per common share 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 Depreciation and amortization Comprehensive income Beginning Balance Ending Balance Other assets Total current assets Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $13,681 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 $35 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, 138,113,207 and 139,546,915 shares, respectively Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury stock at cost, 138,355,917 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, 138,113,207 and 139,546,915 shares, respectively Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Operating revenues Sales Revenue, Net Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Restructuring Restructuring Charges (Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items Effect of (income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items Interest expense Interest Expense Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Consolidated net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets Equity-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation Net gain on 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 Proceeds from divestitures of businesses (net of cash divested) and other sales of assets Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested 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 Tax effects on change in funded status of defined benefit plan liabilities Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans, Tax Treasury stock at cost, 138,113,207 and 139,546,915 shares, respectively Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Interest expense Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment 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 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Realized losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes of $6 and $24 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 Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets 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. Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures And Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Text Block 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 risks 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. This element can be used to disclose the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities disclosure as a single block of text. Describes an entity's risk management strategies, derivatives in hedging activities and non-hedging derivative instruments, the assets, obligations, liabilities, revenues and expenses arising there from, and the amounts of and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts of such items. 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 single block of text to encapsulate the entire inventory disclosure including data and tables. Basis of Presentation Basis Of Presentation Text Block 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. 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 Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax New Accounting Pronouncement Pending Adoption [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncement Pending Adoption [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncement Pending Adoption. New Accounting Pronouncement Pending Adoption Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Amendment Description 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 Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Actual [Member] Scenario, Adjustment [Member] Scenario, Forecast [Member] Scenario, Plan [Member] Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] Successor [Member] Predecessor [Member] 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] Cost of Goods and Services Sold Costs and Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Investment Income, Interest Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Earnings Per Share, Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid 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 Increase (Decrease) in Deferred 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 Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised 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 Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle Presented on Income Statement, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common Class A [Member] Common Class B [Member] Nonvoting Common Stock [Member] Convertible Common Stock [Member] Parent [Member] Preferred Stock [Member] Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member] Noncumulative Preferred Stock [Member] Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]