CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated net income	$ 860	$ 1,009	$ 1,002
Unrealized losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized losses, resulting from changes in fair value, net of tax benefit of $(14), $(20) and $(28), respectively	(22)	(30)	(43)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income, net of tax benefit of $5, $1 and $12, respectively	10	1	18
Total Unrealized losses on derivative instruments	(12)	(29)	(25)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $2, $(2) and $2, respectively	2	(3)	3
Foreign currency translation adjustments	33	(18)	49
Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligation, net of tax benefit of $(2), $(5) and $(3), respectively	(2)	(8)	(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	21	(58)	22
Comprehensive income	881	951	1,024
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	43	48	49
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 838	$ 903	$ 975