CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 297	$ 223	$ 729	$ 625
Gains and losses on derivative instruments:
Unrealized gains (losses), resulting from changes in fair value, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(4), $(8), $6 and $(16), respectively	(5)	(13)	10	(25)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income, net of tax (expense) benefit of $4, $6, $1 and $6, respectively	7	10	2	10
Total Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments	2	(3)	12	(15)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $1, respectively	1	1	1	2
Foreign currency translation adjustments	32	39	(37)	41
Change in funded status of post-retirement benefit obligation, net of tax benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0, respectively
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	35	37	(24)	28
Comprehensive income	332	260	705	653
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	6	9	26	32
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 326	$ 251	$ 679	$ 621