Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 2,530,000	$ 2,565,700	$ 2,517,800	$ 2,427,500	$ 2,560,000	$ 2,562,000	$ 2,526,700	$ 2,392,800	$ 10,040,900	$ 10,041,500	$ 9,387,700
Operating income	483,300	440,300	408,200	404,200	406,800	448,100	425,500	388,100	1,735,800	1,668,500	1,537,500
Net income	301,100	262,900	235,700	237,900	664,500	223,300	203,400	187,800	1,037,600	1,279,000	613,200
Net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.	$ 301,000	$ 263,400	$ 234,900	$ 237,700	$ 664,400	$ 223,200	$ 202,900	$ 187,800	$ 1,036,898	$ 1,278,374	$ 612,588
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 0.81	$ 0.71	$ 0.72	$ 1.98	$ 0.66	$ 0.60	$ 0.55	$ 3.16	$ 3.77	$ 1.78