CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Consolidated net income	$ 223	$ 285	$ 625	$ 731
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments:
Unrealized losses, resulting from changes in fair value, net of tax benefit of $(8), $(8), $(16) and $(16), respectively	(13)	(12)	(25)	(25)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income, net of tax (expense) benefit of $6, $(12), $6 and $(6), respectively	10	(18)	10	(9)
Total Unrealized losses on derivative instruments	(3)	(30)	(15)	(34)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $0, $(2), $1 and $(3), respectively	1	(3)	2	(4)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	39	(82)	41	(46)
Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligation, net of tax benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $(1), respectively				(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	37	(115)	28	(86)
Comprehensive income	260	170	653	645
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9	13	32	36
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 251	$ 157	$ 621	$ 609