XML 64 R39.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.4

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies. |
Changes to Gross Insurance Liabilities | ​
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​
​ |  | 2020(a) |  | 2019
Balance as of January 1 | ​ | $ | 575 | ​ | $ | 567
Self-insurance expense | ​ |  | 172 | ​ |  | 171
Cash paid and other | ​ | ​ | (151) | ​ | ​ | (163)
Other (b) | ​ | ​ | 68 | ​ | ​ | —
Balance as of December 31 | ​ | $ | 664 | ​ | $ | 575
Current portion as of December 31 | ​ | $ | 175 | ​ | $ | 145
Long-term portion as of December 31 | ​ | $ | 489 | ​ | $ | 430
(a) | Based on current estimates, we anticipate that most of our insurance reserves will be settled in cash over the next six years.
(b) | Insurance reserves of $68 million related to the acquisition of Advanced Disposal.

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of the gross changes to the insurance liability. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | wm_ChangesToGrossInsuranceLiabilityTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | wm_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration