Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 3,548	$ 3,360	$ 10,149	$ 9,715
Costs and expenses:
Operating	2,216	2,095	6,339	6,204
Selling, general and administrative	330	330	1,032	1,000
Depreciation and amortization	336	330	988	944
Restructuring		2	4	7
Expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items	106	2	107	17
Total costs and expenses	2,988	2,759	8,470	8,172
Income from operations	560	601	1,679	1,543
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(94)	(95)	(282)	(294)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(4)	(552)
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	(9)	(9)	(32)	(32)
Other, net		(1)	(49)	(2)
Total other income (expense)	(103)	(105)	(367)	(880)
Income (loss) before income taxes	457	496	1,312	663
Provision for income taxes	153	159	466	184
Consolidated net income	304	337	846	479
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	2	(1)	(1)
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 302	$ 335	$ 847	$ 480
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.68	$ 0.75	$ 1.91	$ 1.06
Diluted earnings per common share	0.68	0.74	1.89	1.05
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.410	$ 0.385	$ 1.230	$ 1.155