Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	12. Variable Interest Entities Following is a description of our financial interests in variable interest entities that we consider significant, including (i) those for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the entity and, therefore, have consolidated the entities into our financial statements; and (ii) those that represent a significant interest in an unconsolidated entity. *Consolidated Variable Interest Entities* Waste-to-Energy LLCs — In June 2000, two limited liability companies were established to purchase interests in existing leveraged lease financings at three waste-to-energy facilities that we lease, operate and maintain. We own a 0.5% interest in one of the LLCs (“LLC I”) and a 0.25% interest in the second LLC (“LLC II”). John Hancock Life Insurance Company (“Hancock”) owns 99.5% of LLC I and 99.75% of LLC II is owned by LLC I and the CIT Group (“CIT”). In 2000, Hancock and CIT made an initial investment of $167 million in the LLCs, which was used to purchase the three waste-to-energy facilities and assume the seller’s indebtedness. Under the LLC agreements, the LLCs shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a written decision of all members of the LLCs; (ii) December 31, 2063; (iii) a court’s dissolution of the LLCs; or (iv) the LLCs ceasing to own any interest in the waste-to-energy facilities. Income, losses and cash flows of the LLCs are allocated to the members based on their initial capital account balances until Hancock and CIT achieve targeted returns; thereafter, we will receive 80% of the earnings of each of the LLCs and Hancock and CIT will be allocated the remaining 20% proportionate to their respective equity interests. All capital allocations made through March 31, 2012 have been based on initial capital account balances as the target returns have not yet been achieved. Our obligations associated with our interests in the LLCs are primarily related to the lease of the facilities. In addition to our minimum lease payment obligations, we are required to make cash payments to the LLCs for differences between fair market rents and our minimum lease payments. These payments are subject to adjustment based on factors that include the fair market value of rents for the facilities and lease payments made through the re-measurement dates. In addition, we may also be required under certain circumstances to make capital contributions to the LLCs based on differences between the fair market value of the facilities and defined termination values as provided for in the underlying lease agreements, although we believe the likelihood of the occurrence of these circumstances is remote. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the LLCs and consolidate these entities in our Consolidated Financial Statements because (i) all of the equity owners of the LLCs are considered related parties for purposes of applying this accounting guidance; (ii) the equity owners share power over the significant activities of the LLCs; and (iii) we are the entity within the related party group whose activities are most closely associated with the LLCs. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included $305 million and $308 million, respectively, of net property and equipment associated with the LLCs’ waste-to-energy facilities and $249 million and $246 million, respectively, in noncontrolling interests associated with Hancock’s and CIT’s interests in the LLCs. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, all debt obligations of the LLCs had been paid in full and, therefore, the LLCs had no liabilities. During each of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we recognized expense of $13 million for Hancock’s and CIT’s noncontrolling interests in the LLCs’ earnings. The LLCs’ earnings relate to the rental income generated from leasing the facilities to our subsidiaries, reduced by depreciation expense. The LLCs’ rental income is eliminated in WM’s consolidation. *Significant Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities* Investment in Waste-to-Energy and Recycling LLC — In the first quarter of 2012, we established a limited liability company (the “LLC”) along with our joint venture partner, a commercial entity in the waste management industry, to develop, construct, operate and maintain a waste-to-energy and recycling facility in England. We own a 50% interest in this joint venture. The total cost of constructing this facility is expected to be £200 million, or $320 million based on the exchange rate as of March 31, 2012. The LLC will be funded primarily through loans from the joint venture partners and loans under the LLC’s credit facility agreements with third-party financial institutions. The funds loaned under the credit facility agreements will be used for the development and construction of the facility. We are committed to provide up to £57 million, or $91 million based on the exchange rate as of March 31, 2012, of funding to the LLC. Our actual commitment may be more or less depending on the actual cost of the facility. Through March 31, 2012, we had funded approximately £7 million, or $11 million, through loans and less than $1 million through equity contributions. These amounts are included in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as long-term “Other assets” and “Investments in unconsolidated entities,” respectively. We also have guaranteed the performance of certain management services for the project for which our maximum exposure under the guarantee is not material. In addition, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company will be responsible for constructing the waste-to-energy facility for the LLC under a fixed-price construction contract. Once the facility is constructed, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company will be responsible for operating and maintaining the facility for the LLC under a substantially fixed-price operating and maintenance contract. Under the operating and maintenance contract, we have guaranteed our ability to operate this facility at certain performance levels that we believe are within our control to achieve. We also will be jointly responsible, along with our LLC joint venture partner, for the performance of sales and marketing services for the LLC through a 50%-owned and unconsolidated entity. The fixed-price components of the above mentioned contracts were established based on estimates of expected construction, operation and maintenance costs. However, we are subject to variation in our expected profits or potential losses if the actual costs differ from the costs established in the contracts. Our maximum exposure to loss under these contracts cannot be quantified. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of the LLC as all decision-making responsibility is shared jointly with our joint venture partner. As such, we do not have the power to individually direct the entity’s activities. Accordingly, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting and do not consolidate this entity. Investment in Refined Coal Facility — In January 2011, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a limited liability company, which was established to invest in and manage a refined coal facility. Along with the other equity investor, we support the operations of the entity in exchange for a pro-rata share of the tax credits it generates. Our initial consideration for this investment consisted of a cash payment of $48 million. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investment balance was $34 million and $35 million, respectively, representing our current maximum pre-tax exposure to loss. Under the terms and conditions of the transaction, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to loss. Future contributions will commence once certain levels of tax credits have been generated and will continue through the expiration of the tax credits under Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code, which occurs at the end of 2019. We are only obligated to make future contributions to the extent tax credits are generated. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of this entity as we do not have the power to individually direct the entity’s activities. Accordingly, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting and do not consolidate the entity. Additional information related to this investment is discussed in Note 5. Investment in Federal Low-income Housing Tax Credits — In April 2010, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a limited liability company established to invest in and manage low-income housing properties. We support the operations of the entity in exchange for a pro-rata share of the tax credits it generates. Our target return on the investment is guaranteed and, therefore, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to loss. Our consideration for this investment totaled $221 million, which was comprised of a $215 million note payable and an initial cash payment of $6 million. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investment balance was $172 million and $178 million, respectively, and our debt balance was $170 million and $176 million, respectively. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of this entity as we do not have the power to individually direct the entity’s activities. Accordingly, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting and do not consolidate the entity. Additional information related to this investment is discussed in Note 5. Trusts for Final Capping, Closure, Post-Closure or Environmental Remediation Obligations — We have significant financial interests in trust funds that were created to settle certain of our final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation obligations. We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of certain of these trust funds because power over the trusts’ significant activities is shared. Our interests in these variable interest entities are accounted for as investments in unconsolidated entities and receivables. These amounts are recorded in “Other receivables,” “Investments in unconsolidated entities” and long-term “Other assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, as appropriate. Our investments and receivables related to the trusts had an aggregate carrying value of $110 million as of March 31, 2012 and $107 million as of December 31, 2011. We continue to reflect our interests in the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities held by these trusts as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” As the party with primary responsibility to fund the related final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation activities, we are exposed to risk of loss as a result of potential changes in the fair value of the assets of the trust. The fair value of trust assets can fluctuate due to (i) changes in the market value of the investments held by the trusts and (ii) credit risk associated with trust receivables. Although we are exposed to changes in the fair value of the trust assets, we currently expect the trust funds to continue to meet the statutory requirements for which they were established.

Variable Interest Entities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

12. Variable Interest Entities

Following is a description of our financial interests in variable interest entities that we consider significant, including (i) those for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the entity and, therefore, have consolidated the entities into our financial statements; and (ii) those that represent a significant interest in an unconsolidated entity.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

Waste-to-Energy LLCs — In June 2000, two limited liability companies were established to purchase interests in existing leveraged lease financings at three waste-to-energy facilities that we lease, operate and maintain. We own a 0.5% interest in one of the LLCs (“LLC I”) and a 0.25% interest in the second LLC (“LLC II”). John Hancock Life Insurance Company (“Hancock”) owns 99.5% of LLC I and 99.75% of LLC II is owned by LLC I and the CIT Group (“CIT”). In 2000, Hancock and CIT made an initial investment of $167 million in the LLCs, which was used to purchase the three waste-to-energy facilities and assume the seller’s indebtedness. Under the LLC agreements, the LLCs shall be dissolved upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a written decision of all members of the LLCs; (ii) December 31, 2063; (iii) a court’s dissolution of the LLCs; or (iv) the LLCs ceasing to own any interest in the waste-to-energy facilities.

Income, losses and cash flows of the LLCs are allocated to the members based on their initial capital account balances until Hancock and CIT achieve targeted returns; thereafter, we will receive 80% of the earnings of each of the LLCs and Hancock and CIT will be allocated the remaining 20% proportionate to their respective equity interests. All capital allocations made through March 31, 2012 have been based on initial capital account balances as the target returns have not yet been achieved.

Our obligations associated with our interests in the LLCs are primarily related to the lease of the facilities. In addition to our minimum lease payment obligations, we are required to make cash payments to the LLCs for differences between fair market rents and our minimum lease payments. These payments are subject to adjustment based on factors that include the fair market value of rents for the facilities and lease payments made through the re-measurement dates. In addition, we may also be required under certain circumstances to make capital contributions to the LLCs based on differences between the fair market value of the facilities and defined termination values as provided for in the underlying lease agreements, although we believe the likelihood of the occurrence of these circumstances is remote.

We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the LLCs and consolidate these entities in our Consolidated Financial Statements because (i) all of the equity owners of the LLCs are considered related parties for purposes of applying this accounting guidance; (ii) the equity owners share power over the significant activities of the LLCs; and (iii) we are the entity within the related party group whose activities are most closely associated with the LLCs.

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included $305 million and $308 million, respectively, of net property and equipment associated with the LLCs’ waste-to-energy facilities and $249 million and $246 million, respectively, in noncontrolling interests associated with Hancock’s and CIT’s interests in the LLCs. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, all debt obligations of the LLCs had been paid in full and, therefore, the LLCs had no liabilities. During each of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we recognized expense of $13 million for Hancock’s and CIT’s noncontrolling interests in the LLCs’ earnings. The LLCs’ earnings relate to the rental income generated from leasing the facilities to our subsidiaries, reduced by depreciation expense. The LLCs’ rental income is eliminated in WM’s consolidation.

Significant Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

Investment in Waste-to-Energy and Recycling LLC — In the first quarter of 2012, we established a limited liability company (the “LLC”) along with our joint venture partner, a commercial entity in the waste management industry, to develop, construct, operate and maintain a waste-to-energy and recycling facility in England. We own a 50% interest in this joint venture. The total cost of constructing this facility is expected to be £200 million, or $320 million based on the exchange rate as of March 31, 2012. The LLC will be funded primarily through loans from the joint venture partners and loans under the LLC’s credit facility agreements with third-party financial institutions. The funds loaned under the credit facility agreements will be used for the development and construction of the facility. We are committed to provide up to £57 million, or $91 million based on the exchange rate as of March 31, 2012, of funding to the LLC. Our actual commitment may be more or less depending on the actual cost of the facility. Through March 31, 2012, we had funded approximately £7 million, or $11 million, through loans and less than $1 million through equity contributions. These amounts are included in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as long-term “Other assets” and “Investments in unconsolidated entities,” respectively. We also have guaranteed the performance of certain management services for the project for which our maximum exposure under the guarantee is not material.

In addition, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company will be responsible for constructing the waste-to-energy facility for the LLC under a fixed-price construction contract. Once the facility is constructed, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company will be responsible for operating and maintaining the facility for the LLC under a substantially fixed-price operating and maintenance contract. Under the operating and maintenance contract, we have guaranteed our ability to operate this facility at certain performance levels that we believe are within our control to achieve. We also will be jointly responsible, along with our LLC joint venture partner, for the performance of sales and marketing services for the LLC through a 50%-owned and unconsolidated entity. The fixed-price components of the above mentioned contracts were established based on estimates of expected construction, operation and maintenance costs. However, we are subject to variation in our expected profits or potential losses if the actual costs differ from the costs established in the contracts. Our maximum exposure to loss under these contracts cannot be quantified.

We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of the LLC as all decision-making responsibility is shared jointly with our joint venture partner. As such, we do not have the power to individually direct the entity’s activities. Accordingly, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting and do not consolidate this entity.

Investment in Refined Coal Facility — In January 2011, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a limited liability company, which was established to invest in and manage a refined coal facility. Along with the other equity investor, we support the operations of the entity in exchange for a pro-rata share of the tax credits it generates. Our initial consideration for this investment consisted of a cash payment of $48 million. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investment balance was $34 million and $35 million, respectively, representing our current maximum pre-tax exposure to loss. Under the terms and conditions of the transaction, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to loss. Future contributions will commence once certain levels of tax credits have been generated and will continue through the expiration of the tax credits under Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code, which occurs at the end of 2019. We are only obligated to make future contributions to the extent tax credits are generated. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of this entity as we do not have the power to individually direct the entity’s activities. Accordingly, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting and do not consolidate the entity. Additional information related to this investment is discussed in Note 5.

Investment in Federal Low-income Housing Tax Credits — In April 2010, we acquired a noncontrolling interest in a limited liability company established to invest in and manage low-income housing properties. We support the operations of the entity in exchange for a pro-rata share of the tax credits it generates. Our target return on the investment is guaranteed and, therefore, we do not believe that we have any material exposure to loss. Our consideration for this investment totaled $221 million, which was comprised of a $215 million note payable and an initial cash payment of $6 million. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investment balance was $172 million and $178 million, respectively, and our debt balance was $170 million and $176 million, respectively. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of this entity as we do not have the power to individually direct the entity’s activities. Accordingly, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting and do not consolidate the entity. Additional information related to this investment is discussed in Note 5.

Trusts for Final Capping, Closure, Post-Closure or Environmental Remediation Obligations — We have significant financial interests in trust funds that were created to settle certain of our final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation obligations. We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of certain of these trust funds because power over the trusts’ significant activities is shared.

Our interests in these variable interest entities are accounted for as investments in unconsolidated entities and receivables. These amounts are recorded in “Other receivables,” “Investments in unconsolidated entities” and long-term “Other assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, as appropriate. Our investments and receivables related to the trusts had an aggregate carrying value of $110 million as of March 31, 2012 and $107 million as of December 31, 2011. We continue to reflect our interests in the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities held by these trusts as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income.”

As the party with primary responsibility to fund the related final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation activities, we are exposed to risk of loss as a result of potential changes in the fair value of the assets of the trust. The fair value of trust assets can fluctuate due to (i) changes in the market value of the investments held by the trusts and (ii) credit risk associated with trust receivables. Although we are exposed to changes in the fair value of the trust assets, we currently expect the trust funds to continue to meet the statutory requirements for which they were established.

- Definition

Disclosure of variable interest entities (VIE), including, but not limited to the nature, purpose, size, and activities of the VIE, the carrying amount and classification of consolidated assets that are collateral for the VIE's obligations, lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of a consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary. An enterprise that holds a significant variable interest in a VIE but is not the primary beneficiary may disclose the nature of its involvement with the VIE and when that involvement began, the nature, purpose, size, and activities of the VIE and the enterprise's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the VIE.

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