Segment Reporting (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Years Segments RetirementPlans Employees Claims	Jun. 30, 2010
Revenue by service line
Total collection	$ 1,563.8	$ 1,559.1	$ 3,069.0	$ 3,070.2
Total collection (in percentage)	74.90%	75.50%	75.70%	76.30%
Transfer and disposal	766.5	791.4	1,440.7	1,483.8
Less: Intercompany	(387.2)	(400.3)	(732.1)	(757.8)
Transfer and disposal, net	379.3	391.1	708.6	726.0
Transfer and disposal, net (in percentage)	18.20%	18.90%	17.50%	18.00%
Sale of recycling materials	107.8	77.1	205.6	148.8
Sale of recycling materials (in percentage)	5.20%	3.70%	5.10%	3.70%
Other non-core	35.7	39.1	68.3	79.1
Other non-core (in percentage)	1.70%	1.90%	1.70%	2.00%
Other	143.5	116.2	273.9	227.9
Other (in percentage)	6.90%	5.60%	6.80%	5.70%
Total revenue	2,086.6	2,066.4	4,051.5	4,024.1
Total revenue (in percentage)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Segment Information (Textuals)
Number of reportable segments			4
Residential [Member]
Revenue by service line
Total collection	537.6	546.2	1,063.3	1,080.9
Total collection (in percentage)	25.70%	26.40%	26.20%	26.90%
Commercial [Member]
Revenue by service line
Total collection	627.6	622.7	1,245.6	1,244.2
Total collection (in percentage)	30.10%	30.10%	30.70%	30.90%
Industrial [Member]
Revenue by service line
Total collection	390.6	383.2	744.2	731.3
Total collection (in percentage)	18.70%	18.60%	18.40%	18.20%
Other [Member]
Revenue by service line
Total collection	$ 8.0	$ 7.0	$ 15.9	$ 13.8
Total collection (in percentage)	0.40%	0.40%	0.40%	0.30%