Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 282	$ 539
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $31 and $26, respectively	1,686	1,510
Other receivables	113	146
Parts and supplies	142	130
Deferred income taxes	43	40
Other assets	153	117
Total current assets	2,419	2,482
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $15,107 and $14,690, respectively	11,911	11,868
Goodwill	6,104	5,726
Other intangible assets, net	397	295
Other assets	1,221	1,105
Total assets	22,052	21,476
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	676	692
Accrued liabilities	1,153	1,100
Deferred revenues	473	460
Current portion of long-term debt	225	233
Total current liabilities	2,527	2,485
Long-term debt, less current portion	9,388	8,674
Deferred income taxes	1,695	1,662
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	1,447	1,402
Other liabilities	710	662
Total liabilities	15,767	14,885
Commitments and contingencies
Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued	6	6
Additional paid-in capital	4,553	4,528
Retained earnings	6,613	6,400
Accumulated other comprehensive income	144	230
Treasury stock at cost, 169,078,749 and 155,235,711 shares, respectively	(5,368)	(4,904)
Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity	5,948	6,260
Noncontrolling interests	337	331
Total equity	6,285	6,591
Total liabilities and equity	$ 22,052	$ 21,476