Amount of expense (reversal of expense) which increases (decreases) the accrual for environmental loss contingencies from revisions in estimates to existing obligations. Excludes changes related to business acquisitions, divestitures, or currency movement.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.Y.Q1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesIncreaseDecreaseForRevisionInEstimates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126954810&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126905981&loc=d3e2420-110228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of assets, including but not limited to property plant and equipment, intangible assets and equity in securities of subsidiaries or equity method investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126954810&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other expenses incurred but not yet paid.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccruedLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of asset impairment charges, (gains) and losses related to the divestiture of businesses and unusual items incurred during an accounting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wm_GainLossFromDivestituresAssetImpairmentsAndUnusualItems
Namespace Prefix:	wm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis=wm_SanJacintoWastePitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Divestitures, Asset Impairments and Unusual Items (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Asset Impairments and Unusual Items
(Gain) loss from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items, net		$ (34)		$ 17	$ (17)
Increase in legal accruals					20
Asset impairments					$ 6
Gain (loss) on sale of assets		$ 35	$ 8
San Jacinto Waste Pits [Member]
Asset Impairments and Unusual Items
Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions	$ 17			$ 17