XML 80 R64.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.3.a.u2

Property and Equipment - Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization expense | $ 1,574 | $ 1,477 | $ 1,376
Tangible Property and Equipment [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 893 | 838 | 783
Landfill Airspace [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 575 | 538 | 497
Property and Equipment [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization expense | $ 1,468 | $ 1,376 | $ 1,280

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/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&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: |