XML 23 R37.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.1

Basis of Presentation - Credit loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Jan. 01, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
Allowance activity |  |  |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance | $ 28 | $ 29 |  |
Additions charged to expense | 14 | 10 |  |
Accounts written-off, net of recoveries | (12) | (11) |  |
Other | (1) | 2 |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance | 28 | $ 30 |  |
Notes and other receivables | 494 |  |  |
Allowance for notes and other receivables | $ 5 |  |  | $ 1
Receivables classified as current (as a percent) | 65.00% |  |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member] | Adjustment [Member] |  |  |  |
Allowance activity |  |  |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance | $ (1) |  |  |
Allowance for notes and other receivables |  |  | $ 4 |

X
- Definition Amount of allowance for credit loss on accounts receivable, classified as current. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118936363&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955202&loc=SL82895884-210446 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableRollforward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of direct write-downs of accounts receivable charged against the allowance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119407570&loc=SL82919249-210447 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of valuation allowance for receivables classified as other, due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulOtherReceivablesCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The sum of amounts currently receivable other than from customers. For classified balance sheets, represents the current amount receivable, that is amounts expected to be collected within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NontradeReceivablesCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of expense (reversal of expense) for expected credit loss on accounts receivable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119407570&loc=SL82919249-210447 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(5)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116634182&loc=SL114868664-224227 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of other increase (decrease) to the allowance for credit loss. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_AccountsReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossOther
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The percentage of receivables classified as current assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_ReceivablesClassifiedAsCurrentPercent
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RestatementAxis=srt_RestatementAdjustmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |