Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 11,295,000	$ 10,153,600	$ 10,299,400
Expenses:
Cost of operations	6,737,700	6,100,500	6,298,400
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	1,185,500	1,075,900	1,040,500
Accretion	82,700	82,900	81,900
Selling, general and administrative	1,195,800	1,053,000	1,091,900
Withdrawal costs - multiemployer pension funds	0	34,500	0
Loss (gain) on business divestitures and impairments, net	500	77,700	(14,700)
Restructuring charges	16,600	20,000	14,200
Operating income	2,076,200	1,709,100	1,787,200
Interest expense	(314,600)	(355,600)	(392,000)
Loss from unconsolidated equity method investments	(188,500)	(118,200)	(112,200)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(101,900)	0
Interest income	2,500	5,200	6,400
Other (expense) income, net	(500)	4,100	6,400
Income before income taxes	1,575,100	1,142,700	1,295,800
Provision for income taxes	282,800	173,100	222,000
Net income	1,292,300	969,600	1,073,800
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiary	(1,900)	(2,400)	(500)
Net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.	$ 1,290,405	$ 967,237	$ 1,073,286
Basic earnings per share attributable to Republic Services, Inc. stockholders:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.05	$ 3.03	$ 3.34
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	318,811	319,282	321,058
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Republic Services, Inc. stockholders:
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 4.04	$ 3.02	$ 3.33
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	319,425	319,836	321,990
Cash dividends per common share ( in dollars per share)	$ 1.77	$ 1.66	$ 1.56