Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 10,040,900	$ 10,041,500	$ 9,387,700
Expenses:
Cost of operations	6,150,000	6,214,600	5,764,000
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	1,033,400	1,036,300	991,100
Accretion	80,700	79,800	79,100
Selling, general and administrative	1,059,500	1,057,400	969,800
Withdrawal costs - multiemployer pension funds	0	1,200	5,600
Gain on business divestitures and impairments, net	(44,900)	(33,900)	(100)
Restructuring charges	26,400	17,600	40,700
Operating income	1,735,800	1,668,500	1,537,500
Interest expense	(383,800)	(361,900)	(371,300)
Loss from unconsolidated equity method investment	(35,800)	(27,400)	(6,100)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(300)	(800)	(196,200)
Interest income	1,600	1,000	900
Other income, net	3,400	2,700	1,100
Income before income taxes	1,320,900	1,282,100	965,900
Provision for income taxes	283,300	3,100	352,700
Net income	1,037,600	1,279,000	613,200
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiary	(700)	(600)	(600)
Net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.	$ 1,036,898	$ 1,278,374	$ 612,588
Basic earnings per share attributable to Republic Services, Inc. stockholders:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.17	$ 3.79	$ 1.79
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	326,897	337,051	343,024
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Republic Services, Inc. stockholders:
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.16	$ 3.77	$ 1.78
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	328,383	338,981	344,390
Cash dividends per common share ( in dollars per share)	$ 1.44	$ 1.33	$ 1.24