v2.4.0.6
Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
PensionPlans
Y
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2008
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Reserve for stock issuance 1,200,000      
Restricted stock awarded 250,500 171,800 67,000  
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors 179,200 367,900 516,000  
Contribution to pension plan $ 48.7 $ 50.4 $ 48.5  
Employee Benefit Plans (Textual) [Abstract]        
Weighted-average estimated fair values of stock options granted $ 5.35 $ 5.28 $ 3.79  
Compensation expense for stock options 13.1 12.8 7.8  
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding stock options 10.8      
Weighted average period, in years 1.8      
Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award fair value of stock options vested 28.3 8.7 4.0 3.9
Excess tax benefits 2.5 3.5 2.5  
Number of multi-employer pension plans under collective bargaining agreements in which company contributes 27      
Approximate percentage of our total current employees that are participants in multi-employer pension plans 20.00%      
Percentage of quoted market price on the last day of each calendar quarter at which employee stock purchase plan allows participants to purchase the Company's common stock 95.00%      
Stock issuances under stock purchase plan 136,621 123,523 49,918  
Total employee contributions 1.0      
Approximate synergies required under synergy incentive plan to provide compensation   150    
Employer contributions 10.0      
Net of tax, of deferred accrual gain 3.6      
Payment to participants 67.0      
Percentage of funded status of pension protection act critical zone maximum 65.00%      
Percentage of funded status of pension protection act endangered zone maximum 80.00%      
Percentage of funded status of pension protection act Safe zone minimum 80.00%      
Deferred stock units [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors 82,500 92,894 320,354  
Stock Incentive Plan 2007 [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Minimum term of options granted 7 years      
Maximum term of options granted 10 years      
Percentage of increments vested 25.00%      
Period of increments vested 4 years      
Period of options granted to non-employee directors 10 years      
Stock Incentive Plan 2006 [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Reserve for stock issuance 15,500,000      
Multiemployer Plan [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Contribution to pension plan 3.0      
Percentage of contribution by pension trust funds minimum 5.00%      
Restricted Stock [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Compensation expense 7.5 11.7 7.2  
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors   3,454 15,904  
Cash Balance Plan [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Age limit for early retirement of participants under cash balance plan 55      
Completion period of credited service for participants under cash balance plan 10 years      
Employee benefit plans condition regarding retirement Participants’ cash balance accounts are increased until retirement by certain benefit and interest credits under the terms of their bargaining agreements. Participants may elect early retirement with the attainment of age 55 and completion of 10 years of credited service at reduced benefits. Participants with 35 years of service may retire at age 62 without any reduction in benefits.      
Defined Benefit Pension Plan [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Average long-term rate of return 7.25% 7.25% 7.25%  
Percentage of employer contribution as percentage of first three percentage of eligible compensation 100.00%      
Percentage of employer contribution as percentage of next two percentage of eligible compensation 50.00%      
Percentage of eligible compensation contributed by employer 3.00%      
Percentage of eligible compensation contributed by each employee 2.00%      
Employee Benefit Plans (Textual) [Abstract]        
Employer contributions   10.0    
Net of tax, of deferred accrual gain (30.2) (2.2)    
Payment to participants 75.3 17.2    
Republic Services 401(k) Plan [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Defined contribution plan terms We maintain the Republic Services 401(k) Plan (401(k) Plan), which is a defined contribution plan covering all eligible employees. Under the provisions of the 401(k) Plan, participants may direct us to defer a portion of their compensation to the 401(k) Plan, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. We provide for an employer matching contribution equal to 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation and 50% of the next 2% of eligible compensation contributed by each employee, which is funded in cash.      
Total expense recorded for matching 401(k) contributions $ 28.9 $ 32.8 $ 30.5  
Executives [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors 76,699      
Number of Installments for Vesting Period 4      
Non-employee directors [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Restricted stock awarded   88,732    
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors   92,894    
Executives and Other Officers and Directors [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors     195,611  
Shares awarded vest in four equal installments beginning on the anniversary date of the original grant [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors   210,437 26,914  
Executives And Other Officers And Directors Vested In May 14, 2010 [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors     110,669  
Executives and Other Officers and Directors Vested In January 31, 2010 [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors     38,670  
Director [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Restricted stock awarded to executives, other officers and directors 20,039      
Director [Member] | Stock Incentive Plan 2007 [Member]
       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Term of options granted, other than non- employee directors Seven to ten years from the date of grant, and vest in increments of 25% per year over a four year period beginning on the first anniversary date of the grant      
Term of options granted, non employees Ten years and are fully vested at the grant date