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Segment and Related Information - Revenues mix (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues | $ 3,652 | $ 3,716 | $ 3,677 | $ 3,440 | $ 3,460 | $ 3,548 | $ 3,425 | $ 3,176 | $ 14,485 | $ 13,609 | $ 12,961
Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17,370 | 16,246 | 15,350
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9,264 | 8,802 | 8,439
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,714 | 3,480 | 3,332
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,528 | 2,487 | 2,499
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,583 | 2,412 | 2,252
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Collection [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 439 | 423 | 356
Operating Segments [Member] | Landfill [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,370 | 3,110 | 2,919
Operating Segments [Member] | Transfer [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,591 | 1,512 | 1,377
Operating Segments [Member] | Recycling [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,432 | 1,221 | 1,163
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Revenue [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,713 | 1,601 | 1,452
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (2,885) | $ (2,637) | $ (2,389)

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