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Segment and Related Information - Total Revenues by Principal Line of Business (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues | $ 3,460 | $ 3,548 | $ 3,425 | $ 3,176 | $ 3,246 | $ 3,360 | $ 3,315 | $ 3,040 | $ 13,609 | $ 12,961 | $ 13,996
Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 16,246 | 15,350 | 16,457
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,480 | 3,332 | 3,393
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,487 | 2,499 | 2,543
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,412 | 2,252 | 2,231
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Collection [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 423 | 356 | 340
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,802 | 8,439 | 8,507
Operating Segments [Member] | Landfill [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,110 | 2,919 | 2,849
Operating Segments [Member] | Transfer [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,512 | 1,377 | 1,353
Operating Segments [Member] | Recycling [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,221 | 1,163 | 1,370
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Revenue [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,601 | 1,452 | 1,561
Operating Segments [Member] | Wheelabrator [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 817
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (2,637) | $ (2,389) | $ (2,461)

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