Segment and Related Information - Reportable Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Total assets, as reported above [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Total assets, as reported above [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Total assets, as reported above [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Solid Waste: Tier 1 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Solid Waste: Tier 1 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Solid Waste: Tier 1 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Solid Waste: Tier 2 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Solid Waste: Tier 2 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Solid Waste: Tier 2 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Solid Waste: Tier 3 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Solid Waste: Tier 3 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Solid Waste: Tier 3 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Wheelabrator [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Wheelabrator [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Wheelabrator [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Wheelabrator [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Elimination of intercompany investments and advances [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Elimination of intercompany investments and advances [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Elimination of intercompany investments and advances [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Geographical Regions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Geographical Regions [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Assets	$ 23,097	$ 22,569	$ 21,476	$ 23,797	$ 23,241	$ 22,169	$ 3,656	$ 3,610	$ 3,475	$ 8,394	$ 8,337	$ 7,899	$ 5,088	$ 4,987	$ 4,768	$ 2,605		$ 2,542	$ 2,554	$ (700)	$ (672)	$ (693)
Balance	6,215	5,726					1,158	1,050		2,806	2,603		1,359	1,191		788	788	788	788				104	94
Acquired goodwill	69	497					18	106		22	195		9	170									20	26
Divested goodwill, net of assets held-for-sale	(3)												(3)
Impairments	(4)	(1)																					(4)	(1)
Translation and other adjustments	14	(7)					2	2			8		9	(2)									3	(15)
Balance	$ 6,291	$ 6,215					$ 1,178	$ 1,158		$ 2,828	$ 2,806		$ 1,374	$ 1,359		$ 788	$ 788	$ 788	$ 788				$ 123	$ 104