XML 47 R35.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Debt (Detail) CAD in Millions, $ in Millions | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2016 CAD | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2017 CAD | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt maturing within twelve months |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,821 |
Current portion of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 850 | $ 417
Debt classified as long-term due to intent and ability to refinance on long-term basis |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 971 |
Debt and capital lease obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9,345 | 9,310
Net commercial paper borrowings |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 501 |  |  |
Debt repayments |  |  |  |  |  |  | 749 | $ 2,210 |  |
New borrowings |  |  |  |  |  |  | 122 | $ 2,536 |  |
Canadian Subsidiaries [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of intercompany debt | CAD |  |  | CAD 370 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash received in termination of foreign exchange cross currency swaps |  |  |  | $ 67 |  |  |  |  |  |
Expense associated with termination of foreign exchange cross currency swaps |  |  |  |  | $ 8 |  |  |  |  |
Commercial Paper Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current portion of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 502 |
Maximum capacity |  | $ 1,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt and capital lease obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 502 |
Debt term |  | 397 days |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net line of credit repayments |  |  |  |  |  |  | 501 |  |  |
Tax Exempt Bonds [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current portion of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 119 |
Debt with interest rate periods that expiring in the next 12 months |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 551 |
Variable-rate tax-exempt bonds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 471 |
Debt and capital lease obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,339 | 2,304
Debt repayments |  |  |  |  |  |  | 40 |  |  |
New borrowings | $ 75 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
6.1% Senior Notes Mature in March 2018 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current portion of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 590 |
Interest rate |  |  |  |  |  | 6.10% |  |  | 6.10% |
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,250 | 2,250
Outstanding borrowings under credit facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Letters of credit outstanding |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 777 |
Debt and capital lease obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 426
Unused and available credit capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 971 |
Net line of credit repayments |  |  |  |  |  |  | 426 |  |  |
Canadian Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt and capital lease obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 143 | 239
Canadian Revolving Credit Facility [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum capacity | CAD |  |  |  |  |  | CAD 50 |  |  |  |
Outstanding borrowings under credit facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Letters of credit outstanding |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Canadian Term Loan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum term credit | CAD |  |  |  |  |  | 460 |  |  |  |
Debt repayments |  |  |  |  |  | CAD 142 | 108 |  |  |
Other Letter of Credit Facilities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Letters of credit outstanding |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 508 |
Capital Leases and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt and capital lease obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 328 | $ 308
Net debt borrowings (repayments) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 53 |  |  |
New borrowings |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 73 |  |  |
Other Debt [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current portion of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 178 |

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13,16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of cash received during the period on settlement of a hedge. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeCashReceivedOnHedge
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The premium (cost) of a hedge, expensed during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeCostOfHedge
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a rate subject to change from time to time. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with security instrument that either represents a creditor or an ownership relationship with the holder of the investment security with a maturity of beyond one year or normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes proceeds from (a) debt, (b) capital lease obligations, (c) mandatory redeemable capital securities, and (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -Subparagraph (a),(b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3255-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecuritiesNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net cash inflow or cash outflow from issuing (borrowing) and repaying commercial paper. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph c -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3098-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfCommercialPaper
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net cash inflow or outflow in aggregate debt due to repayments and proceeds from additional borrowings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net cash inflow or cash outflow from a contractual arrangement with the lender, including letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a specific amount at any point in time with either short term or long term maturity that is collateralized (backed by pledge, mortgage or other lien in the entity's assets). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph c -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3098-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow associated with security instruments that either represent a creditor or an ownership relationship with the holder of the investment security with a maturity of beyond one year or normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes repayments of (a) debt, (b) capital lease obligations, (c) mandatory redeemable capital securities, and (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (a),(b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3291-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow for the payment of a long-term borrowing made from a related party where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth. Alternate caption: Payments for Advances from Affiliates. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3291-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RepaymentsOfRelatedPartyDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of short-term borrowings, long-term debt and capital leases due within the next twelve months, including amounts classified as current and amounts classified as noncurrent due to intent and ability to refinance. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_DebtAndCapitalLeasesMaturingWithinNextTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represent debt with interest rate periods that expire within the next 12 months. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_DebtInstrumentInterestRatePeriodExpiringCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The portion of short-term borrowings, current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations and borrowings subject to refinancing within the next twelve months, classified as long-term obligations due to the intent and ability to refinance on a long-term basis. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_DebtMaturingOrSubjectToRefinancingWithinNextTwelveMonthsClassifiedAsLongTerm
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under a term loan without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_TermLoanMaximumBorrowingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=wm_CanadianSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_CommercialPaperProgramMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_TaxExemptBondsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_SixPointOneZeroPercentSeniorNotesDueMarchTwoThousandEighteenMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_CreditFacilityRevolvingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_CanadianTermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_CandadianRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_CanadianTermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_OtherLetterOfCreditFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_CapitalLeasesAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wm_OtherDebtMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |