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Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Cash Flow Statements Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Operating activities | $ 3,180 | $ 3,006 | $ 2,528
Investing activities | (1,379) | (1,932) | (1,608)
Financing activities | (1,811) | (1,081) | (2,185)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |  |  | (3)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (10) | (7) | (1,268)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 32 | 39 | 1,307
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 22 | 32 | 39
WM [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] |  |  |
Condensed Cash Flow Statements Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Intercompany activity |  |  | (1,235)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |  |  | (1,235)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |  |  | 1,235
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] |  |  |
Condensed Cash Flow Statements Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Operating activities | 3,180 | 3,006 | 2,528
Investing activities | (1,379) | (1,932) | (1,608)
Financing activities | (1,811) | (1,081) | (2,185)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |  |  | (3)
Intercompany activity |  |  | 1,235
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (10) | (7) | (33)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 32 | 39 | 72
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ 22 | $ 32 | $ 39

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- Definition Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82887183&loc=d3e6676-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3044-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are the amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Includes effect from exchange rate changes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 24 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3521-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 230 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513438&loc=d3e33268-110906 + Details
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- Definition Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities, including discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 24 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3521-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 26 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3574-108585 + Details
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- Definition Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities, including discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 24 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3521-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 26 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3574-108585 + Details
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