XML 29 R70.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Debt - Components of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Senior Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Weighted average interest rate 5.70%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		 5.70%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Interest rate lower range 2.60%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		  
Interest rate upper range 7.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		  
End period of maturity for debt instrument Nov. 30, 2039  
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Weighted average interest rate 2.20%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= wm_TaxExemptBondsMember		 2.30%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= wm_TaxExemptBondsMember
Interest rate lower range 0.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= wm_TaxExemptBondsMember		  
Interest rate upper range 5.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= wm_TaxExemptBondsMember		  
End period of maturity for debt instrument Aug. 01, 2045  
Capital Leases and Other [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Interest rate upper range 12.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wm_CapitalLeasesAndOtherMember		  
End period of maturity for debt instrument Dec. 31, 2055  
U.S. Revolving Credit Facility [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Weighted average interest rate   1.20%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Canadian Credit Facility and Term Loan [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Weighted average interest rate 2.60%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= wm_CanadianCreditFacilityAndTermLoanMember		 2.70%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= wm_CanadianCreditFacilityAndTermLoanMember