Property and Equipment - Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	$ 26,625	$ 29,067
Less accumulated depreciation on tangible property and equipment	(15,968)	(16,723)
Property and equipment, net	10,657	12,344	12,651
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	611	636
Landfill [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	13,463	13,416
Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	4,131	4,115
Machinery and Equipment - Including Containers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	2,470	3,888
Containers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	2,377	2,449
Building and improvements - excluding waste-to-energy facilities [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	2,588	3,594
Furniture, Fixtures and Office Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	985	969
Tangible Property and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation on tangible property and equipment	(8,278)	(9,205)
Landfill airspace [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation on tangible property and equipment	$ (7,690)	$ (7,518)