Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement [Member] Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement [Member] Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement (ASR) [Member] Accelerated Share Repurchases, Final Price Paid Per Share Final weighted average per share purchase price during the repurchase period Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items] Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items] Accelerated Share Repurchases [Table] Accelerated Share Repurchases [Table] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 Interest-Imputation (Topic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. Accounting Standards Update 201503 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member] Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $26 and $25, 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 liabilities 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 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) The total amount of estimated costs accrued as of the balance sheet date to comply with regulatory requirements pertaining to the retirement of a waste management facility (such as a landfill or waste treatment facility). 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 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 Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Post - Retirement Benefit Plans [Member] Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] Derivative Instruments [Member] Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Deferred losses, net of taxes, related to cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Total other intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted Average Amortization Periods Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] 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 (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Affordable Housing Tax Credits and Other Tax Benefits, Amount Affordable housing tax credits and other tax benefits amount from equity method investment All Currencies [Domain] All Currencies [Domain] Other Segments [Member] Other [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization of Deferred Hedge Gains Benefits (losses) to interest expense associated with the amortization of our terminated interest rate swaps Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding Asset Impairment Charges Impairment of landfill Asset Retirement Obligation Ending balance, landfill Beginning balance, landfill Total, Landfill Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense Interest accretion Interest accretion on landfill liabilities Asset Retirement Obligation And Environmental Remediation Disclosure [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligation And Environmental Remediation Disclosure [Text Block] Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Asset Retirement Obligation And Environmental Remediation Rollforward Analysis Table [Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligation And Environmental Remediation Rollforward Analysis [Table Text Block] Changes to Landfill and Environmental Remediation 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 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 Available-for-sale Securities Available-for-sale securities Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] 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 Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] Basis Of Presentation [Table] Basis Of Presentation [Table] Basis Of Presentation [Table] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings (loss) per common share Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings (loss) per common share Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Operating revenues Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Total consideration, net of cash acquired, for business acquisitions closed during the year Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Business combination recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed accounts and other receivables. Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Accounts And Other Receivables Accounts and other receivables Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets Other current assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities Accrued liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable Accounts payable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue Deferred revenues Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets Noncurrent Deferred income tax asset Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred income tax liability Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill Other intangible assets Total other intangible assets subject to amortization, Amount Business combination recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed landfill and environmental remediation liabilities. Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Landfill And Environmental Remediation Liabilities Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net Total purchase price Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Assets Other assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities Other liabilities Business combination recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed parts and supplies. Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Parts And Supplies Parts and supplies Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property and equipment Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Canadian credit facility and term loan. Canadian Credit Facility And Term Loan [Member] Canadian Credit Facility and Term Loan [Member] Canadian credit facility. Canadian Credit Facility [Member] Canadian Credit Facility [Member] Canadian Term Loan [Member] Canadian Term Loan [Member] Canadian Term Loan [Member] Capital leases and other. Capital Leases And Other [Member] Capital Leases and Other [Member] Reported Value Measurement [Member] Reported Value Measurement [Member] Carrying value of trusts for which company is not the sole beneficiary. Carrying Value of Trusts for Which Company is not the Sole Beneficiary Carrying value of trusts for which company is not the sole beneficiary 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 [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Money market funds 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 [Member] Cash [Member] Change in intercompany and investments, net. Change In Intercompany And Investments Net (Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] 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 Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies [Table] 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, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Income Statement [Table] Condensed Income Statement [Table] Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] Eliminations [Member] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Corporate and Other [Member] 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] Currency [Axis] Currency [Axis] 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 Customer Relationships [Member] Customer Relationships [Member] Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Carrying value of debt Debt and capital lease obligations Amount of short-term borrowings, long-term debt and capital leases due within the next twelve months, including amounts classified as current and amounts classified as noncurrent due to intent and ability to refinance. Debt and Capital Leases Maturing Within Next Twelve Months Debt maturing within twelve months Debt, Current Current debt obligations 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, Face Amount Debt instrument face amount Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Fair value of debt Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract] Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Interest rate 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 End period of maturity for debt instrument Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument, Term Term of senior notes to amortize deferred losses Debt Issuance Cost Reclassification of debt issuance costs Debt maturing within next twelve months classified as long term. Debt Maturing Within Next Twelve Months Classified As Long Term Outstanding borrowings under credit facility classified as long-term Debt maturing within twelve months classified as long-term. Debt Maturing Within Twelve Months Classified As Long Term Debt maturing within twelve months classified as long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate Weighted average interest rate Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income tax provision Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred revenues Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deffenbaugh Disposal Inc And Southern Waste Systems [Member] Deffenbaugh Disposal Inc And Southern Waste Systems [Member] Deffenbaugh Disposal Inc And Southern Waste Systems [Member] Deffenbaugh Disposal Inc [Member] Deffenbaugh Disposal Inc [Member] Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member] Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization Derivative Asset Foreign currency derivatives Derivative, Cash Received on Hedge Cash received in termination of foreign exchange cross currency swaps Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative, Cost of Hedge Expense associated with termination of foreign exchange cross currency swaps Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [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 Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative, Notional Amount Notional amount of derivatives for intercompany debt Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] New Accounting Standards Pending Adoption Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [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 Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Cash dividends declared Document and entity information. Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And 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 Domestic Line of Credit [Member] Domestic Line of Credit [Member] Due to Affiliate, Noncurrent Due to affiliates Early Repayment of Senior Debt Early extinguishment of high-coupon senior notes Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings (loss) per common share Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings (loss) per common share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective tax rate of income (loss) before income taxes