Property and Equipment - Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$ 657	$ 663
Machinery and equipment	3,967	3,731
Buildings and improvements	3,514	3,273
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment	923	846
Property and equipment , gross	28,763	27,550
Less accumulated depreciation on tangible property and equipment	(16,112)	(15,308)
Property and equipment, net	12,651	12,242	11,868
Landfills [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	13,266	12,940
Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	3,954	3,705
Containers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment , gross	2,482	2,392
Tangible Property and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation on tangible property and equipment	(8,924)	(8,377)
Landfill airspace [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation on tangible property and equipment	$ (7,188)	$ (6,931)