CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 398	$ 258
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $37 and $29, respectively	1,760	1,631
Other receivables	108	144
Parts and supplies	155	153
Deferred income taxes	79	78
Other assets	159	115
Total current assets	2,659	2,379
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $16,005 and $15,308, respectively	12,518	12,242
Goodwill	6,259	6,215
Other intangible assets, net	405	457
Investments in unconsolidated entities	652	637
Other assets	580	639
Total assets	23,073	22,569
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	787	838
Accrued liabilities	1,115	1,129
Deferred revenues	459	470
Current portion of long-term debt	826	631
Total current liabilities	3,187	3,068
Long-term debt, less current portion	9,166	9,125
Deferred income taxes	1,896	1,884
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	1,453	1,404
Other liabilities	759	698
Total liabilities	16,461	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	4,546	4,561
Retained earnings	6,820	6,721
Accumulated other comprehensive income	200	172
Treasury stock at cost, 166,415,015 and 169,749,709 shares, respectively	(5,284)	(5,390)
Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity	6,288	6,070
Noncontrolling interests	324	320
Total equity	6,612	6,390
Total liabilities and equity	$ 23,073	$ 22,569