Asset Impairments and Unusual Items - Details (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on sale of assets						$ 38	$ (9)	$ 7
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 34					34	12
Asset impairments						41	59	89
Oil and Gas Well [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Gains from sale of oil and gas properties	31					31		6
Impairment of oil and gas producing property								66
Energy and Environmental Services [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Decrease in contingent consideration	(30)					(30)
Goodwill impairment charges	32					34
Renewable Energy Assets [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Asset impairments						7
Western Pennsylvania [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Asset impairments				$ 43			43
Lamp Tracker Reporting Unit [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	2			10			12
Investment In Majority Owned Organics Company [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on sale of assets				(8)			(8)
Recycling Operations [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Asset impairments								18
Western Canada Area [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Asset impairments								5
Waste Diversion Technology Company [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Equity method investments impairment charges			$ 25			29
Cost method investment impairment	$ 11				$ 45	11	42	$ 5
San Jacinto Waste Pits [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Revisions in estimate		$ 9		$ 42		$ 11	$ 44