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Commitments and Contingencies - Changes to Net Insurance Liabilities (Parenthetical) (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Expected time period in years for cash settlement of substantially all recorded obligations associated with insurance liabilities | 6 years

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- References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Expected time period in years for cash settlement of substantially all recorded obligations associated with insurance liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_ExpectedTimePeriodInTermsForCashSettlementOfSubstantiallyAllRecordedObligationsAssociatedWithInsuranceLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration