Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 237	$ 258
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $34 and $29, respectively	1,694	1,631
Other receivables	137	144
Parts and supplies	147	153
Deferred income taxes	73	78
Other assets	166	115
Total current assets	2,454	2,379
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $15,735 and $15,308, respectively	12,360	12,242
Goodwill	6,237	6,215
Other intangible assets, net	416	457
Investments in unconsolidated entities	656	637
Other assets	568	639
Total assets	22,691	22,569
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	720	838
Accrued liabilities	1,145	1,129
Deferred revenues	469	470
Current portion of long-term debt	853	631
Total current liabilities	3,187	3,068
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,973	9,125
Deferred income taxes	1,879	1,884
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	1,437	1,404
Other liabilities	728	698
Total liabilities	16,204	16,179
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	4,540	4,561
Retained earnings	6,771	6,721
Accumulated other comprehensive income	163	172
Treasury stock at cost, 167,283,574 and 169,749,709 shares, respectively	(5,312)	(5,390)
Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity	6,168	6,070
Noncontrolling interests	319	320
Total equity	6,487	6,390
Total liabilities and equity	$ 22,691	$ 22,569