Stock Repurchases, Dividends and Earnings per Share - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.	$ 251,500	$ 234,900	$ 485,700	$ 472,600
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	321,718	327,365	322,000	329,003
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.72	$ 1.51	$ 1.44
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock (in shares)	432	810	469	858
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	322,765	328,830	323,109	330,513
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.78	$ 0.71	$ 1.50	$ 1.43
Restricted stock units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested awards (in shares)	240	202	234	231
Performance shares
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested awards (in shares)	375	453	406	421