Property and Equipment, Net (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of property and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 10,852.7	$ 10,196.1
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(4,060.4)	(3,497.6)
Property and equipment, net	6,792.3	6,698.5
Other land [Member]
Summary of property and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	375.1	391.9
Non depletable landfill land [Member]
Summary of property and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	161.8	158.0
Landfill development costs [Member]
Summary of property and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,763.3	4,575.2
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(1,735.7)	(1,504.6)
Vehicles and equipment [Member]
Summary of property and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,515.1	4,142.1
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(2,119.1)	(1,820.6)
Buildings and improvements [Member]
Summary of property and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	802.8	768.5
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization	(205.6)	(172.4)
Construction-in-progress - landfill [Member]
Summary of property and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	187.3	133.2
Construction-in-progress - other [Member]
Summary of property and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 47.3	$ 27.2

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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Gross amount, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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- Definition

Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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