Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 334	$ 304	$ 286	$ 256	$ 273	$ 337	$ 273	$ (131)	$ 1,180	$ 752	$ 1,338
Other adjustments									1,780	1,746	993
Net cash provided by operating activities									2,960	2,498	2,331
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									(611)	(554)	(35)
Capital expenditures									(1,339)	(1,233)	(1,151)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)									43	145	2,253
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net									(25)	34	(72)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(1,932)	(1,608)	995
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings									3,057	2,337	2,817
Debt repayments									(2,682)	(2,764)	(3,568)
Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt									(2)	(555)
Common stock repurchase program									(725)	(600)	(600)
Cash dividends									(726)	(695)	(693)
Exercise of common stock options									63	77	93
Other, net									(20)	45	(121)
Net cash used in financing activities									(1,035)	(2,155)	(2,072)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents										(3)	(5)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(7)	(1,268)	1,249
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				39				1,307	39	1,307	58
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	32				39				32	39	1,307
Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income									(2,748)	(2,534)	(2,580)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax provision									2,748	2,534	2,580
WM [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income									1,182	753	1,298
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax provision									(1,367)	(1,245)	(1,510)
Other adjustments									185	492	212
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net										(1,235)	1,235
Net cash used in financing activities										(1,235)	1,235
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents										(1,235)	1,235
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year								1,235		1,235
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year											1,235
WM Holdings [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income									1,369	1,245	1,510
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax provision									(1,381)	(1,289)	(1,070)
Other adjustments									12	44	(440)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income									1,377	1,288	1,110
Other adjustments									1,583	1,210	1,221
Net cash provided by operating activities									2,960	2,498	2,331
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									(611)	(554)	(35)
Capital expenditures									(1,339)	(1,233)	(1,151)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)									43	145	2,253
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net									(25)	34	(72)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(1,932)	(1,608)	995
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings									3,057	2,337	2,817
Debt repayments									(2,682)	(2,764)	(3,568)
Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt									(2)	(555)
Common stock repurchase program									(725)	(600)	(600)
Cash dividends									(726)	(695)	(693)
Exercise of common stock options									63	77	93
Other, net									(20)	45	(121)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net										1,235	(1,235)
Net cash used in financing activities									(1,035)	(920)	(3,307)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents										(3)	(5)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(7)	(33)	14
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				$ 39				$ 72	39	72	58
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 32				$ 39				$ 32	$ 39	$ 72