Segment and Related Information - Revenues mix (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,846	$ 3,967	$ 3,946	$ 3,696	$ 3,842	$ 3,822	$ 3,739	$ 3,511	$ 15,455	$ 14,914	$ 14,485
Operating Segments [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									18,704	18,024	17,370
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									10,240	9,724	9,264
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									4,229	3,972	3,714
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									2,613	2,529	2,528
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									2,916	2,773	2,583
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Collection [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									482	450	439
Operating Segments [Member] | Landfill [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									3,846	3,560	3,370
Operating Segments [Member] | Transfer [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									1,820	1,711	1,591
Operating Segments [Member] | Recycling [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									1,040	1,293	1,432
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									1,758	1,736	1,713
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues									$ (3,249)	$ (3,110)	$ (2,885)