Segment and Related Information - Summary (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2024 USD ($) segment	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Segment Reporting
Number of reportable segments | segment			4
Operating revenues	$ (5,402)	$ (5,119)	$ (10,561)	$ (10,011)
Net Operating Revenues	1,009	944	2,025	1,769
Collection and Disposal [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(4,922)	(4,734)	(9,638)	(9,257)
Net Operating Revenues	1,359	1,173	2,638	2,237
Collection and Disposal [Member] | East Tier [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(2,178)	(2,123)	(4,259)	(4,168)
Net Operating Revenues	692	599	1,346	1,130
Collection and Disposal [Member] | West Tier [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(2,076)	(1,988)	(4,069)	(3,885)
Net Operating Revenues	674	576	1,301	1,107
Collection and Disposal [Member] | Other Ancillary [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(668)	(623)	(1,310)	(1,204)
Net Operating Revenues	(7)	(2)	(9)
Recycling Processing and Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(405)	(316)	(773)	(610)
Net Operating Revenues	29	24	48	37
WM Renewable Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(69)	(62)	(138)	(131)
Net Operating Revenues	18	14	39	34
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(6)	(7)	(12)	(13)
Net Operating Revenues	(397)	(267)	(700)	(539)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(6,637)	(6,328)	(12,954)	(12,362)
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection and Disposal [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(6,080)	(5,857)	(11,879)	(11,435)
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection and Disposal [Member] | East Tier [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(2,751)	(2,673)	(5,367)	(5,234)
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection and Disposal [Member] | West Tier [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(2,616)	(2,512)	(5,113)	(4,904)
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection and Disposal [Member] | Other Ancillary [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(713)	(672)	(1,399)	(1,297)
Operating Segments [Member] | Recycling Processing and Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(475)	(394)	(911)	(768)
Operating Segments [Member] | WM Renewable Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(70)	(63)	(140)	(133)
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	(12)	(14)	(24)	(26)
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	1,235	1,209	2,393	2,351
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Collection and Disposal [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	1,158	1,123	2,241	2,178
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Collection and Disposal [Member] | East Tier [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	573	550	1,108	1,066
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Collection and Disposal [Member] | West Tier [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	540	524	1,044	1,019
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Collection and Disposal [Member] | Other Ancillary [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	45	49	89	93
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Recycling Processing and Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	70	78	138	158
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | WM Renewable Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	1	1	2	2
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	$ 6	$ 7	$ 12	$ 13