Stock Repurchases, Dividends and Earnings per Share - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.	$ 234,200	$ 237,700
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	322,282	330,655
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.72
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock (in shares)	504	904
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	323,450	332,208
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.72
Restricted stock units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested awards (in shares)	227	260
Performance shares
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested awards (in shares)	437	389

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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