Segment and Related Information - Revenues mix (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,511	$ 3,440
Operating Segments [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	4,226	4,112
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	2,307	2,235
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	955	911
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	614	621
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	637	603
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Collection [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	101	100
Operating Segments [Member] | Landfill [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	805	739
Operating Segments [Member] | Transfer [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	375	366
Operating Segments [Member] | Recycling [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	312	372
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	427	400
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ (715)	$ (672)