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Segment and Related Information - Revenues mix (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues | $ 3,842 | $ 3,822 | $ 3,739 | $ 3,511 | $ 3,652 | $ 3,716 | $ 3,677 | $ 3,440 | $ 14,914 | $ 14,485 | $ 13,609
Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18,024 | 17,370 | 16,246
Operating Segments [Member] | Collection [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9,724 | 9,264 | 8,802
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,972 | 3,714 | 3,480
Operating Segments [Member] | Residential [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,529 | 2,528 | 2,487
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,773 | 2,583 | 2,412
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Collection [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 450 | 439 | 423
Operating Segments [Member] | Landfill [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,560 | 3,370 | 3,110
Operating Segments [Member] | Transfer [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,711 | 1,591 | 1,512
Operating Segments [Member] | Recycling [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,293 | 1,432 | 1,221
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Revenue [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,736 | 1,713 | 1,601
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (3,110) | $ (2,885) | $ (2,637)

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