XML 56 R43.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.7.0.1

Asset Impairments and Unusual Items - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Waste Diversion Technology Company [Member] |
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items] |
Impairment charges | $ 25

X
- 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://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68055307&loc=d3e2420-110228 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Income expense from divestitures asset impairments and unusual items. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_IncomeExpenseFromDivestituresAssetImpairmentsAndUnusualItemsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=wm_WasteDiversionTechnologyCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |