XML 81 R64.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.10.0.1

Property and Equipment - Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization expense | $ 1,477 | $ 1,376 | $ 1,301
Tangible Property and Equipment [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 838 | 783 | 773
Landfill Airspace [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 538 | 497 | 428
Property and Equipment [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization expense | $ 1,376 | $ 1,280 | $ 1,201

X
- Definition The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets. + References Reference 1: 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=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=wm_TangiblePropertyAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=wm_LandfillAirspaceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=wm_PropertyAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |