Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Comprehensive Income:
Consolidated net income	$ 250	$ 258	$ 446	$ 450
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes	(8)	(22)	(13)	(33)
Realized (gains) losses on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of taxes	1	(9)	9	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of taxes	1	(1)	(1)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	8	(37)	36	(10)
Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes	0	(1)	(2)	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2	(70)	29	(44)
Comprehensive income	252	188	475	406
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(13)	(12)	(23)	(22)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	239	176	452	384
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. Stockholders' equity
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of taxes	(37)		(37)		(33)
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of taxes	4		4		5
Foreign currency translation adjustments	297		297		261
Funded status of post-retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes	(5)		(5)		(3)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 259		$ 259		$ 230

Accumulated appreciation or loss, net of tax, in value of the total of unsold securities at the end of an accounting period.

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Gross appreciation or the gross loss in value of the total unsold securities at the end of an accounting period, after tax.

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Net of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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