Segment and Related Information (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2010
Segment and Related Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Charge to "Operating" expenses for the agreed upon withdrawal of bargaining units from multiemployer pension plans, Central States	$ 28

Name:

wm_ChargeToOperatingExpensesForAgreedUponWithdrawalOfBargainingUnitsFromMultiEmployerPensionPlansCentralStates

Namespace Prefix:

wm

Data Type:

xbrli:monetaryItemType

Balance Type:

debit

Period Type:

duration