XML 96 R68.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Intangible assets $ 755us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross $ 814us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Less accumulated amortization (315)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization (285)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Total 440us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet 529us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Customer and Supplier Relationships [Member]    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Intangible assets 576us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CustomerAndSupplierRelationshipsMember
604us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CustomerAndSupplierRelationshipsMember
Less accumulated amortization (231)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CustomerAndSupplierRelationshipsMember
(193)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CustomerAndSupplierRelationshipsMember
Total 345us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CustomerAndSupplierRelationshipsMember
411us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CustomerAndSupplierRelationshipsMember
Covenants Not-to-Compete [Member]    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Intangible assets 63us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CovenantsNotToCompeteMember
87us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CovenantsNotToCompeteMember
Less accumulated amortization (44)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CovenantsNotToCompeteMember
(57)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CovenantsNotToCompeteMember
Total 19us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CovenantsNotToCompeteMember
30us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_CovenantsNotToCompeteMember
Licenses Permits and Other [Member]    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Intangible assets 116us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_LicensesPermitsAndOtherMember
123us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_LicensesPermitsAndOtherMember
Less accumulated amortization (40)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_LicensesPermitsAndOtherMember
(35)us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_LicensesPermitsAndOtherMember
Total $ 76us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_LicensesPermitsAndOtherMember
$ 88us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= wm_LicensesPermitsAndOtherMember