Waste Management (WM) 10-Q 27 Oct 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 20, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	WM
Entity Registrant Name	WASTE MANAGEMENT INC
Entity Central Index Key	823,768
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		446,495,290

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 113	$ 1,307
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $26 and $30, respectively	1,570	1,587
Other receivables	432	350
Parts and supplies	92	106
Deferred income taxes	79	115
Other assets	113	176
Total current assets	2,399	3,641
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $16,385 and $15,968, respectively	10,659	10,657
Goodwill	5,886	5,740
Other intangible assets, net	495	440
Investments in unconsolidated entities	374	408
Other assets	589	526
Total assets	20,402	21,412
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	671	740
Accrued liabilities	1,095	1,180
Deferred revenues	461	475
Current portion of long-term debt	215	1,090
Total current liabilities	2,442	3,485
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,835	8,345
Deferred income taxes	1,490	1,453
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	1,605	1,531
Other liabilities	773	709
Total liabilities	$ 15,145	$ 15,523
Commitments and contingencies
Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized; 630,282,461 shares issued	$ 6	$ 6
Additional paid-in capital	4,805	4,585
Retained earnings	6,840	6,888
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(91)	23
Treasury stock at cost, 183,817,862 and 171,745,077 shares, respectively	(6,325)	(5,636)
Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity	5,235	5,866
Noncontrolling interests	22	23
Total equity	5,257	5,889
Total liabilities and equity	$ 20,402	$ 21,412

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 26	$ 30
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ 16,385	$ 15,968
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	630,282,461	630,282,461
Treasury stock, shares	183,817,862	171,745,077

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 3,360	$ 3,602	$ 9,715	$ 10,559
Costs and expenses:
Operating	2,095	2,299	6,204	6,832
Selling, general and administrative	330	377	1,000	1,105
Depreciation and amortization	330	329	944	985
Restructuring	2	67	7	69
(Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items	2	(16)	17	21
Total costs and expenses	2,759	3,056	8,172	9,012
Income from operations	601	546	1,543	1,547
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(95)	(116)	(294)	(352)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(552)
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	(9)	(14)	(32)	(36)
Other, net	(1)	(2)	(2)	(7)
Total other income (expense)	(105)	(132)	(880)	(395)
Income before income taxes	496	414	663	1,152
Provision for income taxes	159	133	184	412
Consolidated net income	337	281	479	740
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	11	(1)	32
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 335	$ 270	$ 480	$ 708
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.75	$ 0.59	$ 1.06	$ 1.53
Diluted earnings per common share	0.74	0.58	1.05	1.52
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.385	$ 0.375	$ 1.155	$ 1.125

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 337	$ 281	$ 479	$ 740
Derivative instruments, net	5		10	(2)
Available-for-sale securities, net	(2)	3	(1)	5
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(60)	(61)	(123)	(80)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(57)	(58)	(114)	(77)
Comprehensive income	280	223	365	663
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	11	(1)	32
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 278	$ 212	$ 366	$ 631

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 479	$ 740
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	944	985
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	46	(85)
Interest accretion on landfill liabilities	66	65
Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets	2	8
Provision for bad debts	27	31
Equity-based compensation expense	53	40
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions	(11)	(3)
Net gain from disposal of assets	(9)	(31)
Effect of (income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items and other	17	21
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities, net of dividends	32	36
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	552
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Receivables	(71)	(36)
Other current assets	9	5
Other assets	(19)	14
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(91)	108
Deferred revenues and other liabilities	(54)	(87)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,972	1,811
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(473)	(32)
Capital expenditures	(864)	(781)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)	114	319
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts	54	19
Investments in unconsolidated entities	(15)	(23)
Other	3	(78)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,181)	(576)
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings	2,060	2,364
Debt repayments	(2,421)	(2,392)
Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt	(555)
Common stock repurchases	(600)	(600)
Cash dividends	(523)	(521)
Exercise of common stock options	53	70
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based transactions	11	3
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(1)	(29)
Other	(7)	(2)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,983)	(1,107)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2)	(3)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,194)	125
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,307	58
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 113	$ 183

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 5,889	$ 6	$ 4,585	$ 6,888	$ 23	$ (5,636)	$ 23
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		630,282				(171,745)
Consolidated net income	479			480			(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(114)				(114)
Cash dividends	(523)			(523)
Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes	126		40	(5)		$ 91
Equity-based compensation transactions, including dividend equivalents, net of taxes, shares						2,746
Common stock repurchases	(600)		180			$ (780)
Common stock repurchases, shares						(14,823)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(1)						(1)
Other	1						1
Other, shares						4
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 5,257	$ 6	$ 4,805	$ 6,840	$ (91)	$ (6,325)	$ 22
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015		630,282				(183,818)

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation The financial statements presented in this report represent the consolidation of Waste Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation; Waste Management’s wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries; and certain variable interest entities for which Waste Management or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries as described in Note 15. Waste Management is a holding company and all operations are conducted by its subsidiaries. When the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are used in this document, those terms refer to Waste Management, Inc., its consolidated subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities. When we use the term “WM,” we are referring only to Waste Management, Inc., the parent holding company. We are North America’s leading provider of comprehensive waste management environmental services. We partner with our residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers and the communities we serve to manage and reduce waste at each stage from collection to disposal, while recovering valuable resources and creating clean, renewable energy. Our “Solid Waste” business is operated and managed locally by our subsidiaries that focus on distinct geographic areas and provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. Through our subsidiaries, we are also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. We evaluate, oversee and manage the financial performance of our Solid Waste business subsidiaries through our 17 geographic Areas. We also provide additional services that are not managed through our Solid Waste business, which are presented in this report as “Other.” Additional information related to our segments can be found in Note 8. In December 2014, we completed the sale of our Wheelabrator business, which provides waste-to-energy services and manages waste-to-energy facilities and independent power production plants. Refer to Note 9 for additional information related to our divestitures. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2015 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments, which, unless otherwise disclosed, are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in equity for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The financial statements presented herein should be read in connection with the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In preparing our financial statements, we make numerous estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses. We must make these estimates and assumptions because certain information that we use is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with precision from available data or simply cannot be calculated. In some cases, these estimates are difficult to determine, and we must exercise significant judgment. In preparing our financial statements, the most difficult, subjective and complex estimates and the assumptions that present the greatest amount of uncertainty relate to our accounting for landfills, environmental remediation liabilities, asset impairments, deferred income taxes and reserves associated with our insured and self-insured claims. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that we use in the preparation of our financial statements. Reclassifications When necessary, reclassifications have been made to our prior period consolidated financial information in order to conform to the current year presentation.

Landfill and Environmental Reme

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities	2. Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs are presented in the table below (in millions): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Landfill Environmental Remediation Total Landfill Environmental Remediation Total Current (in accrued liabilities) $ 103 $ 41 $ 144 $ 104 $ 43 $ 147 Long-term 1,417 188 1,605 1,339 192 1,531 $ 1,520 $ 229 $ 1,749 $ 1,443 $ 235 $ 1,678 The changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are reflected in the table below (in millions): Landfill Environmental Remediation December 31, 2013 $ 1,421 $ 227 Obligations incurred and capitalized 54 — Obligations settled (69 ) (21 ) Interest accretion 88 5 Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions (9 ) 25 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments(a) (42 ) (1 ) December 31, 2014 1,443 235 Obligations incurred and capitalized 46 — Obligations settled (50 ) (15 ) Interest accretion 66 3 Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions 6 7 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments(b) 9 (1 ) September 30, 2015 $ 1,520 $ 229 (a) The amounts reported for our 2014 landfill liabilities include reductions of $25 million for divestitures, including the divestiture of our Wheelabrator business. See Note 9 for discussion of our divestitures. (b) The amounts reported for our 2015 landfill liabilities include an increase of $18 million associated with the acquisition of Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. (“Deffenbaugh”). See Note 9 for discussion of our acquisition. At several of our landfills, we provide financial assurance by depositing cash into restricted trust funds or escrow accounts for purposes of settling final capping, closure, post-closure and environmental remediation obligations. Generally, these trust funds are established to comply with statutory requirements and operating agreements. See Note 15 for additional information related to these trusts.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	3. Debt The following table summarizes the major components of debt at each balance sheet date (in millions) and provides the maturities and interest rate ranges of each major category as of September 30, 2015: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 U.S. revolving credit facility, maturing July 2020 $ — $ — Letter of credit facilities, maturing through December 2018 — — Canadian credit facility and term loan, maturing November 2017 (weighted average effective interest rate of 2.1% at September 30, 2015 and 2.6% at December 31, 2014) 114 232 Senior notes maturing through 2045, interest rates ranging from 2.60% to 7.75% (weighted average interest rate of 4.7% at September 30, 2015 and 5.7% at December 31, 2014) 6,083 6,273 Tax-exempt bonds, maturing through 2045, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 0.02% to 5.7% (weighted average interest rate of 2.1% at September 30, 2015 and 2.2% at December 31, 2014) 2,493 2,541 Capital leases and other, maturing through 2055, interest rates up to 12% 360 389 9,050 9,435 Current portion of long-term debt 215 1,090 $ 8,835 $ 8,345 Debt Classification As of September 30, 2015, we had $701 million of debt maturing within the next 12 months, including $500 million of 2.6% senior notes that mature in September 2016 and $117 million of tax-exempt bonds. In addition, $487 million of tax-exempt bonds have term interest rate periods that expire within the next 12 months. Based on our intent and ability to refinance portions of our current obligations on a long-term basis as of September 30, 2015, including through use of forecasted available capacity under our long-term U.S. revolving credit facility (“$2.25 billion revolving credit facility”), we have classified $973 million of this debt as long-term and the remaining $215 million as current obligations. As of September 30, 2015, we also have $491 million of variable-rate tax-exempt bonds that are supported by letters of credit. The interest rates on these bonds are reset on either a daily or weekly basis through a remarketing process. All recent remarketings have successfully placed Company bonds with investors at reasonable, market-driven rates and we currently expect future remarketings to be successful. However, if the remarketing agent is unable to remarket our bonds, the remarketing agent can put the bonds to us. In the event of a failed remarketing, we have the intent and ability to use availability under our $2.25 billion revolving credit facility to fund the debt obligations until they can be remarketed successfully. Accordingly, we classified these borrowings as long-term in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2015. Revolving Credit and Letter of Credit Facilities In July 2015, we amended and restated our $2.25 billion revolving credit facility, extending the term through July 2020. As of September 30, 2015, we had an aggregate committed capacity of $2.4 billion for letters of credit under various U.S. credit facilities. Our $2.25 billion revolving credit facility is our primary source of letter of credit capacity. Our remaining committed letter of credit capacity is provided under facilities with terms ending through December 2018. As of September 30, 2015, we had an aggregate of $982 million of letters of credit outstanding under various credit facilities. As of September 30, 2015, we had no outstanding borrowings under our $2.25 billion revolving credit facility and $832 million of letters of credit issued and supported by the facility, leaving $1,418 million of unused and available capacity. We also have a Canadian credit agreement that matures in November 2017 and provides for C$150 million of revolving credit capacity. We have the ability to issue up to C$50 million of letters of credit under the Canadian revolving credit facility, which if utilized, reduces the amount of credit capacity available for borrowings. As of September 30, 2015, we had no letters of credit or borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. Debt Borrowings and Repayments Canadian Term Loan Senior Notes Make-Whole Redemption Tender Offer • $449 million of WM Holdings 7.10% senior notes due 2026, of which $145 million were tendered; • $577 million of WM 7.00% senior notes due 2028, of which $182 million were tendered; • $223 million of WM 7.375% senior notes due 2029, of which $84 million were tendered; • $496 million of WM 7.75% senior notes due 2032, of which $286 million were tendered; and • $600 million of WM 6.125% senior notes due 2039, of which $326 million were tendered. The “Loss on early extinguishment of debt” reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 includes $430 million of charges related to these tender offers. New Issuance • $600 million of 3.125% senior notes due March 1, 2025; • $450 million of 3.90% senior notes due March 1, 2035; and • $750 million of 4.10% senior notes due March 1, 2045. The net proceeds from these debt issuances were $1.78 billion. The Company used the proceeds from the 2025 notes for general corporate purposes. The proceeds from the 2035 notes and the 2045 notes were used to pay the purchase price and accrued interest for the notes redeemed through the tender offers discussed above and for general corporate purposes. Tax-Exempt Bonds —

Derivative Instruments and Hedg

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	4. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Derivatives We use foreign currency exchange rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates for anticipated intercompany cash transactions between WM Holdings and its Canadian subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2015, we had foreign exchange cross currency swaps outstanding for all of the anticipated cash flows associated with intercompany loans from WM Holdings to its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiaries. Our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include $73 million and $28 million in long-term other assets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and $1 million in current accrued liabilities at September 30, 2015, for these foreign exchange cross currency swaps. We designated these cross currency swaps as cash flow hedges. The hedged cash flows as of September 30, 2015 include C$370 million of total notional value. The scheduled principal payments of the loan and the related swaps are as follows: C$70 million due on October 31, 2016, C$150 million due on October 31, 2017 and C$150 million due on October 31, 2018. Gains or losses resulting from the remeasurement of the underlying non-functional currency intercompany loan are recognized in current earnings in the same financial statement line item as offsetting gains or losses on the related cross currency swaps. We have not offset fair value amounts recognized for these derivative instruments. For information related to the inputs used to measure these derivative assets and liabilities at fair value, refer to Note 14. Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps During the first quarter of 2014, forward-starting interest rate swaps with a notional value of $175 million matured and we paid cash of $36 million to settle the associated liabilities. These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges and had been executed in prior years to hedge the risk of changes in semi-annual interest payments due to fluctuations in the forward ten-year LIBOR swap rate for a debt issuance initially forecasted for March 2014, that occurred in May 2014. Accordingly, the loss associated with the matured forward-starting swaps was deferred as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and is being amortized to interest expense over the debt term of the May 2014 issuance. Ineffectiveness associated with the change in timing of the debt issuance was not material. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our “Accumulated other comprehensive income” included $45 million and $50 million, respectively, of after-tax deferred losses related to all previously terminated swaps, which are being amortized as an increase to interest expense over the ten-year term of the related senior note issuances using the effective interest method. As of September 30, 2015, $11 million of the deferred losses for these previously terminated swaps (on a pre-tax basis) is scheduled to be reclassified as an increase to interest expense over the next 12 months. As discussed in Note 3, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company elected to redeem certain senior notes. As a result of this redemption, $3 million of deferred losses for previously terminated swaps was recorded as interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. There was no significant ineffectiveness associated with our cash flow hedges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014. Refer to Note 12 for information regarding the impacts of our cash flow derivatives on our comprehensive income and results of operations. Fair Value Hedges Interest Rate Swaps We did not have any interest rate swaps outstanding during the reported periods. However, in prior years, we entered into interest rate swaps to maintain a portion of our debt obligations at variable market interest rates and designated these interest rate swaps as fair value hedges of our fixed-rate senior notes. Fair value hedge accounting for interest rate swap contracts increased the carrying value of our debt instruments by $25 million and $45 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The significant decrease in the fair value adjustment during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is primarily due to accounting for the impact of our senior note redemption discussed in Note 3. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the redemption of certain senior notes prior to their scheduled maturity dates resulted in the write-off of related fair value adjustments for terminated interest rate swaps as a $14 million credit to “Loss on early extinguishment of debt” within our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The remaining fair value adjustments to long-term debt are being amortized as a reduction to interest expense using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the related senior notes, which extend through 2028. We recognized benefits to interest expense associated with the amortization of our terminated interest rate swaps of $2 million and $6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $3 million and $11 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	5. Income Taxes Our effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 32.3% and 27.8%, respectively, compared with 32.1% and 35.7%, for the comparable prior year periods. We evaluate our effective income tax rate at each interim period and adjust it as facts and circumstances warrant. The difference between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to the favorable impact of federal tax credits, adjustments to our accruals and related deferred taxes due to the filing of our 2014 income tax returns and state tax audit settlements offset, in part, by the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes. These recurring items had a more pronounced net reduction on our current year effective tax rate than in 2014 due to the impact of the loss on early extinguishment of debt on our pre-tax income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The nine months ended September 30, 2015 was also favorably impacted by the revaluation of our deferred taxes and utilization of state net operating losses resulting from changes in state law and the tax implications of nontaxable post-closing adjustments related to the divestiture of our Wheelabrator business. The difference between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily due to the favorable impact of federal tax credits, state tax audit settlements and adjustments to our accruals and related deferred taxes due to the filing of our 2013 income tax returns offset, in part, by the impact of state and local income taxes and non-deductible accruals and impairments. The nine months ended September 30, 2014 was also unfavorably impacted by the divestiture of our Puerto Rico operations and certain other collection and landfill assets offset, in part, by the favorable impact of the revaluation of our deferred taxes and utilization of state net operating losses resulting from a change in state law and the utilization of capital loss carryovers. Investment in Refined Coal Facility We account for our investment in this entity using the equity method of accounting, recognizing our share of the entity’s results of operations and other reductions in the value of our investment in “Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities,” within our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. We recognized $2 million and $4 million of net losses resulting from our share of the entity’s operating losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $1 million and $3 million of net losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Our tax provision was reduced by $7 million and $16 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and by $6 million and $14 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, primarily as a result of tax credits realized from this investment. See Note 15 for additional information related to this investment. Investment in Low-Income Housing Properties We account for our investment in this entity using the equity method of accounting, recognizing our share of the entity’s results of operations and other reductions in the value of our investment in “Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities,” within our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The value of our investment decreases as the tax credits are generated and utilized. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized $5 million and $17 million of losses relating to our equity investment in this entity, $1 million and $3 million of interest expense, and a reduction in our tax provision of $10 million (including $7 million of tax credits) and $25 million (including $17 million of tax credits), respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $6 million and $18 million of losses relating to our equity investment in this entity, $1 million and $4 million of interest expense, and a reduction in our tax provision of $10 million (including $7 million of tax credits) and $27 million (including $18 million of tax credits), respectively. See Note 15 for additional information related to this investment. Bonus Depreciation

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	6. Earnings Per Share Basic and diluted earnings per share were computed using the following common share data (shares in millions): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Number of common shares outstanding at end of period 446.5 457.9 446.5 457.9 Effect of using weighted average common shares outstanding 3.1 2.9 8.0 6.1 Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 449.6 460.8 454.5 464.0 Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and other contingently issuable shares 3.1 2.8 3.0 2.4 Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 452.7 463.6 457.5 466.4 Potentially issuable shares 11.0 12.4 11.0 12.4 Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 2.0 0.4 2.0 0.7

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	7. Commitments and Contingencies Financial Instruments Management does not expect that any claims against or draws on these instruments will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. We have not experienced any unmanageable difficulty in obtaining the required financial assurance instruments for our current operations. In an ongoing effort to mitigate risks of future cost increases and reductions in available capacity, we continue to evaluate various options to access cost-effective sources of financial assurance. Insurance We have retained a significant portion of the risks related to our automobile, general liability and workers’ compensation claims programs. “General liability” refers to the self-insured portion of specific third party claims made against us that may be covered under our commercial General Liability Insurance Policy. For our self-insured retentions, the exposure for unpaid claims and associated expenses, including incurred but not reported losses, is based on an actuarial valuation and internal estimates. The accruals for these liabilities could be revised if future occurrences or loss development significantly differ from our assumptions used. We do not expect the impact of any known casualty, property, environmental or other contingency to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Guarantees We also have guaranteed the obligations and certain performance requirements of, and provided indemnification to, third parties in connection with both consolidated and unconsolidated entities. Guarantee agreements outstanding as of September 30, 2015 (excluding those related to Wheelabrator obligations that are discussed below) include (i) guarantees of unconsolidated entities’ financial obligations maturing through 2020 for maximum future payments of $8 million and (ii) agreements guaranteeing certain market value losses for approximately 800 homeowners’ properties adjacent to or near 20 of our landfills. Our indemnification obligations generally arise from divestitures and provide that we will be responsible for liabilities associated with our operations for events that occurred prior to the sale of the operations. Additionally, under certain of our acquisition agreements, we have provided for additional consideration to be paid to the sellers if established financial targets or other market conditions are achieved post-closing and we have recognized liabilities for these contingent obligations based on an estimate of the fair value of these contingencies at the time of acquisition. We do not currently believe that contingent obligations to provide indemnification or pay additional post-closing consideration in connection with our divestitures or acquisitions will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Before the divestiture of our Wheelabrator business, WM had guaranteed certain performance and financial obligations of Wheelabrator and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. In conjunction with the divestiture, certain WM guarantees of Wheelabrator obligations were terminated, but others continued and are now guarantees of third-party obligations. Wheelabrator is working with the various third-party beneficiaries to release WM from these guarantees, but until they are successful, WM has agreed to retain the guarantees and, in exchange, receive a credit support fee. The most significant of these guarantees specifically define WM’s maximum financial obligation over the course of the relevant agreements, and as of December 31, 2014, WM’s maximum future payments associated with those guarantees was $176 million. WM’s exposure under certain of the performance guarantees is variable and a maximum exposure is not defined. The estimated fair value of WM’s potential obligation associated with guarantees of Wheelabrator obligations at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is $16 million (net of the credit support fee) and $18 million (net of the credit support fee), respectively. We have recorded the fair value of the financial and performance guarantees, some of which could extend through 2041 if not terminated, in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We currently do not expect the financial impact of such performance and financial guarantees to materially exceed the recorded fair value. Environmental Matters Estimating our degree of responsibility for remediation is inherently difficult. We recognize and accrue for an estimated remediation liability when we determine that such liability is both probable and reasonably estimable. Determining the method and ultimate cost of remediation requires that a number of assumptions be made. There can sometimes be a range of reasonable estimates of the costs associated with the likely site remediation alternatives identified in the investigation of the extent of environmental impact. In these cases, we use the amount within the range that constitutes our best estimate. If no amount within a range appears to be a better estimate than any other, we use the amount that is the low end of such range. If we used the high ends of such ranges, our aggregate potential liability would be approximately $195 million higher than the $229 million recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2015. Our ultimate responsibility may differ materially from current estimates. It is possible that technological, regulatory or enforcement developments, the results of environmental studies, the inability to identify other PRPs, the inability of other PRPs to contribute to the settlements of such liabilities, or other factors could require us to record additional liabilities. Our ongoing review of our remediation liabilities, in light of relevant internal and external facts and circumstances, could result in revisions to our accruals that could cause upward or downward adjustments to income from operations. These adjustments could be material in any given period. As of September 30, 2015, we had been notified by the government that we are a PRP in connection with 76 locations listed on the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List, or NPL. Of the 76 sites at which claims have been made against us, 15 are sites we own. Each of the NPL sites we own was initially developed by others as a landfill disposal facility. At each of these facilities, we are working in conjunction with the government to evaluate or remediate identified site problems, and we have either agreed with other legally liable parties on an arrangement for sharing the costs of remediation or are working toward a cost-sharing agreement. We generally expect to receive any amounts due from other participating parties at or near the time that we make the remedial expenditures. The other 61 NPL sites, which we do not own, are at various procedural stages under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, known as CERCLA or Superfund. The majority of proceedings involving NPL sites that we do not own are based on allegations that certain of our subsidiaries (or their predecessors) transported hazardous substances to the sites, often prior to our acquisition of these subsidiaries. CERCLA generally provides for liability for those parties owning, operating, transporting to or disposing at the sites. Proceedings arising under Superfund typically involve numerous waste generators and other waste transportation and disposal companies and seek to allocate or recover costs associated with site investigation and remediation, which costs could be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. At some of the sites at which we have been identified as a PRP, our liability is well defined as a consequence of a governmental decision and an agreement among liable parties as to the share each will pay for implementing that remedy. At other sites, where no remedy has been selected or the liable parties have been unable to agree on an appropriate allocation, our future costs are uncertain. Item 103 of the SEC’s Regulation S-K requires disclosure of certain environmental matters when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings, or such proceedings are known to be contemplated, unless we reasonably believe that the matter will result in no monetary sanctions, or in monetary sanctions, exclusive of interest and costs, of less than $100,000. The following matters are disclosed in accordance with that requirement. On April 10, 2015, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) advised us that it intended to seek civil penalties against the Tullytown Landfill and Grows complex located in southeast Pennsylvania and owned by indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of WM, related to operational issues, including odors, leachate storage and leachate transportation. We engaged in discussions with representatives of the DEP and amicably resolved these issues, and on July 20, 2015 we signed a consent assessment of civil penalty of $528,000. On July 10, 2015, Waste Management of Hawaii, Inc. (“WMHI”) entered a plea resolving the April 30, 2014 indictment against WMHI in connection with water discharges at the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, which WMHI operates for the city and county of Honolulu, following three major rainstorms in December 2010 and January 2011. As a result, WMHI entered a guilty plea on two misdemeanor violations of the federal Clean Water Act and will pay $400,000 in fines and $200,000 toward restitution and supplemental environmental projects. The two employees indicted in this matter each agreed to a misdemeanor violation of the federal Clean Water Act and payment of a $25,000 fine. WMHI may face civil claims from the Hawaii Department of Health or the EPA based on the same underlying events, but we do not anticipate such claims could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Litigation From time to time, we are also named as defendants in personal injury and property damage lawsuits, including purported class actions, on the basis of having owned, operated or transported waste to a disposal facility that is alleged to have contaminated the environment or, in certain cases, on the basis of having conducted environmental remediation activities at sites. Some of the lawsuits may seek to have us pay the costs of monitoring of allegedly affected sites and health care examinations of allegedly affected persons for a substantial period of time even where no actual damage is proven. While we believe we have meritorious defenses to these lawsuits, the ultimate resolution is often substantially uncertain due to the difficulty of determining the cause, extent and impact of alleged contamination (which may have occurred over a long period of time), the potential for successive groups of complainants to emerge, the diversity of the individual plaintiffs’ circumstances, and the potential contribution or indemnification obligations of co-defendants or other third parties, among other factors. Additionally, we often enter into agreements with landowners imposing obligations on us to meet certain regulatory or contractual conditions upon site closure or upon termination of the agreements. Compliance with these agreements inherently involves subjective determinations and may result in disputes, including litigation. As a large company with operations across the United States and Canada, we are subject to various proceedings, lawsuits, disputes and claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. Many of these actions raise complex factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties. Actions filed against us include commercial, customer, and employment-related claims, including purported class action lawsuits related to our sales and marketing practices and our customer service agreements and purported class actions involving federal and state wage and hour and other laws. The plaintiffs in some actions seek unspecified damages or injunctive relief, or both. These actions are in various procedural stages, and some are covered in part by insurance. We currently do not believe that the eventual outcome of any such actions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. WM’s charter and bylaws provide that WM shall indemnify any person against all liabilities and expenses, and upon request shall advance expenses to any person, who is subject to a pending or threatened proceeding because such person is a director or officer of the Company. Such indemnification is required to the maximum extent permitted under Delaware law. Accordingly, the director or officer must execute an undertaking to reimburse the Company for any fees advanced if it is later determined that the director or officer was not entitled to have such fees advanced under Delaware law. Additionally, WM has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of the members of its Board of Directors, its Chief Executive Officer and each of its executive vice presidents. Additionally, the employment agreements between WM and its Chief Executive Officer and other executive and senior vice presidents contain a direct contractual obligation of the Company to provide indemnification to the executive. The Company may incur substantial expenses in connection with the fulfillment of its advancement of costs and indemnification obligations in connection with actions or proceedings that may be brought against its former or current officers, directors and employees. Multiemployer Defined Benefit Pension Plans One of the most significant multiemployer pension plans in which we have participated is the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (“Central States Pension Plan”). In 2008, we reached agreement with all of the unions involved to cease participation in the Central States Pension Plan. Since that time, litigation with the Central States Pension Plan has been pending. The dispute was over several matters including the effective date that our contribution obligations ceased. In August 2015, we settled all pending litigation with the trustees for the Central States Pension Plan regarding liability for contributions to the plan and withdrawal liability resulting from the cessation of contributions. The amount of the settlement did not exceed our previously recognized charges to “Operating” expenses associated with this matter, and the settlement did not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We are still negotiating and litigating final resolutions of our withdrawal liability for certain other previous withdrawals. In the second quarter of 2015, we recognized a $55 million charge to “Operating” expenses associated with withdrawal from certain underfunded multiemployer pension plans, the majority of which was associated with the Central States Pension Plan withdrawal discussed above. We do not believe any additional liability above the charges we have already recognized for such previous withdrawals could be material to the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations or cash flows. Similarly, we also do not believe that any future withdrawals, individually or in the aggregate, from the multiemployer pension plans to which we contribute, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or liquidity. However, such withdrawals could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows for a particular reporting period, depending on the number of employees withdrawn in any future period and the financial condition of the multiemployer pension plan(s) at the time of such withdrawal(s). Tax Matters

Segment and Related Information

Segment and Related Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Related Information	8. Segment and Related Information We evaluate, oversee and manage the financial performance of our Solid Waste subsidiaries through our 17 geographic Areas. The 17 Areas constitute our operating segments and none of the Areas individually meet the quantitative criteria to be a separate reportable segment. We have evaluated the aggregation criteria and concluded that, based on the similarities between our Areas, including the fact that our Solid Waste business is homogenous across geography with the same services offered across the Areas, aggregation of our Areas is appropriate for purposes of presenting our reportable segments. Accordingly, we have aggregated our 17 Areas into three tiers that we believe have similar economic characteristics and future prospects based in large part on a review of the Areas’ income from operations margins. The economic variations experienced by our Areas is attributable to a variety of factors, including regulatory environment of the Area; economic environment of the Area, including level of commercial and industrial activity; population density; service offering mix and disposal logistics, with no one factor being singularly determinative of an Area’s current or future economic performance. As a result of our consideration of economic and other similarities, we have established the following three reportable segments for our Solid Waste business: Tier 1, which is comprised almost exclusively of Areas in the Southern United States; Tier 2, which is comprised predominately of Areas located in the Midwest and Northeast United States; and Tier 3, which encompasses all remaining Areas, including the Northwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and Eastern Canada. Our Wheelabrator business, which managed waste-to-energy facilities and independent power production plants, was a separate reportable segment until the sale of the business in the fourth quarter of 2014 as it met the quantitative disclosure thresholds. The operating segments not evaluated and overseen through the 17 Areas are presented herein as “Other” as these operating segments do not meet the criteria to be aggregated with other operating segments and do not meet the quantitative criteria to be separately reported. Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following table (in millions): Gross Operating Revenues Intercompany Operating Revenues Net Operating Revenues Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 886 $ (144 ) $ 742 $ 226 Tier 2 1,677 (308 ) 1,369 350 Tier 3 869 (137 ) 732 151 Solid Waste 3,432 (589 ) 2,843 727 Wheelabrator — — — — Other 549 (32 ) 517 (8 ) 3,981 (621 ) 3,360 719 Corporate and Other — — — (118 ) Total $ 3,981 $ (621 ) $ 3,360 $ 601 September 30, 2014 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 895 $ (138 ) $ 757 $ 230 Tier 2 1,662 (307 ) 1,355 349 Tier 3 910 (147 ) 763 169 Solid Waste 3,467 (592 ) 2,875 748 Wheelabrator 205 (28 ) 177 48 Other 566 (16 ) 550 (10 ) 4,238 (636 ) 3,602 786 Corporate and Other — — — (240 ) Total $ 4,238 $ (636 ) $ 3,602 $ 546 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 2,590 $ (414 ) $ 2,176 $ 652 Tier 2 4,808 (873 ) 3,935 921 Tier 3 2,540 (410 ) 2,130 397 Solid Waste 9,938 (1,697 ) 8,241 1,970 Wheelabrator — — — 1 Other 1,552 (78 ) 1,474 (48 ) 11,490 (1,775 ) 9,715 1,923 Corporate and Other — — — (380 ) Total $ 11,490 $ (1,775 ) $ 9,715 $ 1,543 September 30, 2014 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 2,630 $ (405 ) $ 2,225 $ 671 Tier 2 4,814 (885 ) 3,929 968 Tier 3 2,668 (433 ) 2,235 442 Solid Waste 10,112 (1,723 ) 8,389 2,081 Wheelabrator 641 (80 ) 561 102 Other 1,664 (55 ) 1,609 (57 ) 12,417 (1,858 ) 10,559 2,126 Corporate and Other — — — (579 ) Total $ 12,417 $ (1,858 ) $ 10,559 $ 1,547 Fluctuations in our operating results may be caused by many factors, including period-to-period changes in the relative contribution of revenue by each line of business, changes in commodity prices and by general economic conditions. In addition, our revenues and income from operations typically reflect seasonal patterns. Our operating revenues tend to be somewhat higher in the summer months, primarily due to the higher volume of construction and demolition waste. The volumes of industrial and residential waste in certain regions where we operate also tend to increase during the summer months. Our second and third quarter revenues and results of operations typically reflect these seasonal trends. Service disruptions caused by severe storms, extended periods of inclement weather or climate extremes can significantly affect the operating results of the affected Areas. On the other hand, certain destructive weather conditions that tend to occur during the second half of the year, such as the hurricanes that most often impact our operations in the Southern and Eastern U.S., can actually increase our revenues in the areas affected. While weather-related and other “one-time” occurrences can boost revenues through additional work for a limited time span, as a result of significant start-up costs and other factors, such revenue can generate earnings at comparatively lower margins.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisitions and Divestitures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Divestitures	9. Acquisitions and Divestitures Acquisitions Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. Goodwill of $152 million was calculated as the excess of the consideration paid over the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill has been assigned to our Areas that will be integrating these operations as they are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Goodwill related to this acquisition is not deductible for income tax purposes. The allocation of the purchase price for the Deffenbaugh acquisition is preliminary and subject to change based on the finalization of our detailed valuations. The following table presents adjustments since the acquisition date to the allocation of the purchase price (in millions): March 26, Adjustments September 30, Cash and cash equivalents $ 15 $ — $ 15 Accounts and other receivables 18 4 22 Parts and supplies 2 — 2 Deferred income tax asset 9 2 11 Other current assets 12 (2 ) 10 Property and equipment 212 (5 ) 207 Goodwill 140 12 152 Other intangible assets 134 (34 ) 100 Other assets 1 — 1 Accounts payable (4 ) 2 (2 ) Accrued liabilities (12 ) (3 ) (15 ) Deferred revenues (5 ) (1 ) (6 ) Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities (21 ) 3 (18 ) Deferred income tax liability (65 ) 15 (50 ) Other liabilities (20 ) 6 (14 ) Total purchase price $ 416 $ (1 ) $ 415 The preliminary allocation of $100 million for other intangibles includes $94 million for customer relationships and $6 million for a trade name, each with an amortization period of 15 years. The following pro forma consolidated results of operations have been prepared as if the acquisition of Deffenbaugh occurred at January 1, 2014 (in millions, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2014 2015 2014 Operating revenues $ 3,646 $ 9,755 $ 10,688 Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. 272 480 713 Basic earnings per common share 0.59 1.06 1.54 Diluted earnings per common share 0.59 1.05 1.53 Divestitures Wheelabrator Business — Prior to the sale, our Wheelabrator business constituted a reportable segment, as discussed in Note 8. We concluded that the sale of our Wheelabrator business did not qualify for discontinued operations accounting under applicable authoritative guidance based on our significant continuing obligations under the long-term waste supply agreements referred to above and in Note 7. Other

Restructuring

Restructuring	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring	10. Restructuring During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized $7 million of pre-tax restructuring charges, of which $3 million was related to employee severance and benefit costs, including costs associated with our acquisition of Deffenbaugh. The remaining charges were primarily related to operating lease obligations for property that will no longer be utilized. In August 2014, we announced a consolidation and realignment of several Corporate functions to better support achievement of the Company’s strategic goals, including cost reduction. Voluntary separation arrangements were offered to all salaried employees within these organizations. Approximately 650 employees separated from our Corporate and recycling organizations in connection with this restructuring. During the third quarter of 2014, we recognized pre-tax charges of $67 million primarily associated with this restructuring, of which $61 million related to employee severance and benefit costs. We have recognized total charges of $73 million associated with our 2014 and 2015 restructurings related to employee severance and benefits, and we have paid approximately $65 million of these costs. At September 30, 2015, we had approximately $5 million of accrued employee severance related to our restructuring efforts, which will be substantially paid by the end of 2015.

Asset Impairments and Unusual I

Asset Impairments and Unusual Items	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Extraordinary and Unusual Items [Abstract]
Asset Impairments and Unusual Items	11. Asset Impairments and Unusual Items (Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized net charges of $17 million, including $18 million of charges to write down or divest of certain assets in our recycling operations and a $5 million impairment of a landfill in our Western Canada Area due to revised post-closure cost estimates. Partially offsetting these charges was a $6 million gain on the sale of an oil and gas producing property in the second quarter of 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized net charges of $21 million primarily related to a $25 million loss on the divestiture of our Puerto Rico operations and certain other collection and landfill assets as discussed further in Note 9 and a $12 million impairment charge due to the decision to close a waste processing facility; partially offset by net gains of $16 million during the third quarter of 2014, primarily attributable to gains on the sale of certain landfill and collection operations in our Eastern Canada Area. Other income (expense) Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, includes $5 million of charges to write down an equity method investment in a waste diversion technology company to its fair value. In the first quarter of 2014, we sold our investment in Shanghai Environment Group, which was part of our Wheelabrator business. We received cash proceeds from the sale of $155 million, which have been included in “Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)” within “Net cash used in investing activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The losses recognized related to the sale were not material and are recorded in “Other, net” in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity, are as follows (in millions, with amounts in parentheses representing decreases to accumulated other comprehensive income): Derivative Instruments Available- for-Sale Securities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Post- Retirement Benefit Plans Total Balance, December 31, 2014 $ (61 ) $ 10 $ 84 $ (10 ) $ 23 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax expense (benefit) of $17, $(1), $0 and $0, respectively 27 (1 ) (128 ) — (102 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax (expense) benefit of $(11), $0, $0 and $0, respectively (17 ) — 5 — (12 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 10 (1 ) (123 ) — (114 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (51 ) $ 9 $ (39 ) $ (10 ) $ (91 ) The amounts of other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications associated with our cash flow derivative instruments are as follows (in millions): Amount of Derivative Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges 2015 2014 2015 2014 Forward-starting interest rate swaps $ — $ — $ — $ (8 ) Foreign currency derivatives 23 13 44 11 Electricity commodity derivatives — — — (8 ) Total before tax 23 13 44 (5 ) Tax (expense) benefit (9 ) (5 ) (17 ) 2 Net of tax $ 14 $ 8 $ 27 $ (3 ) The amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income associated with our cash flow derivative instruments are as follows (in millions, with amounts in parentheses representing debits to the statement of operations classification): Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Statement of Operations Classification Detail About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components 2015 2014 2015 2014 Gains and losses on cash flow hedges: Forward-starting interest rate swaps $ (4 ) $ (3 ) $ (9 ) $ (8 ) Interest expense Treasury rate locks — — (3 ) (1 ) Interest expense Foreign currency derivatives 19 16 40 16 Other, net Electricity commodity derivatives — — — (9 ) Operating revenues 15 13 28 (2 ) Total before tax (6 ) (5 ) (11 ) 1 Tax (expense) benefit Total reclassifications for the period $ 9 $ 8 $ 17 $ (1 ) Net of tax

Share Repurchases

Share Repurchases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Share Repurchases	13. Share Repurchases Our share repurchases have been made in accordance with financial plans approved by our Board of Directors. We announced in February 2015, that the Board of Directors has authorized up to $1 billion in future share repurchases. Any future share repurchases pursuant to this authorization will be made at the discretion of management. During 2014 and 2015, we entered into accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreements as discussed below: 2015 ASR Agreements In July 2015, we entered into an ASR agreement with a financial institution to repurchase an aggregate of $300 million of our common stock. At the beginning of the ASR repurchase period, we delivered $300 million in cash and received 4.3 million shares, which represented 70% of the shares expected to be repurchased based on then-current market prices. This agreement was completed in September 2015 and we received an additional 1.6 million shares. The final weighted average per share price for the completed ASR agreement was $50.50. 2014 ASR Agreements Each ASR agreement was accounted for as two separate transactions: (i) as shares of reacquired common stock for the shares delivered to us upon effectiveness of the ASR agreements and (ii) as a forward contract indexed to our own common stock for the undelivered shares. The initial delivery of shares was included in treasury stock at cost, and resulted in an immediate reduction of the outstanding shares used to calculate the weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share. The forward contracts indexed to our own stock met the criteria for equity classification, and these amounts were initially recorded in additional paid-in capital and reclassified to treasury stock upon completion of the ASR agreements.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	14. Fair Value Measurements Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following (in millions): Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2015 Using Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)(a) Assets: Money market funds $ 43 $ 43 $ — $ — Fixed-income securities 37 — 37 — Redeemable preferred stock 47 — — 47 Foreign currency derivatives 73 — 73 — Total assets $ 200 $ 43 $ 110 $ 47 Liabilities: Foreign currency derivatives $ 1 $ — $ 1 $ — Total liabilities $ 1 $ — $ 1 $ — Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)(a) Assets: Money market funds $ 1,335 $ 1,335 $ — $ — Fixed-income securities 38 — 38 — Redeemable preferred stock 44 — — 44 Foreign currency derivatives 28 — 28 — Total assets $ 1,445 $ 1,335 $ 66 $ 44 (a) Level 3 investments have been measured based on third-party investors’ recent or pending transactions in these securities, which are considered the best evidence of fair value currently available. When this evidence is not available, we use other valuation techniques as appropriate and available. These valuation methodologies may include transactions in similar instruments, discounted cash flow analysis, third-party appraisals or industry multiples and public comparables. There has not been any significant change in the fair value of the redeemable preferred stock since our assessment at December 31, 2014. Fair Value of Debt At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of our debt was approximately $9.1 billion and $9.4 billion, respectively. The carrying value of our debt includes adjustments associated with fair value hedge accounting related to our interest rate swaps as discussed in Note 4. The estimated fair value of our debt was approximately $9.5 billion and $10.6 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The estimated fair value of our senior notes is based on quoted market prices. The carrying value of remarketable debt and borrowings under our revolving credit facilities approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rates. The fair value of our other debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on current market rates for similar types of instruments. The decrease in the fair value of our debt when comparing September 30, 2015 with December 31, 2014 is primarily related to the net repayment of $361 million of our debt, a substantial portion of which was related to our debt refinancing as further discussed in Note 3. This refinancing resulted in a reduction of high-coupon debt and the payment of related market premiums on these notes, and the replacement of this debt with new notes with a fair value that closely approximates book value. Although we have determined the estimated fair value amounts using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, our estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we, or holders of the instruments, could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair values. The fair value estimates are based on Level 2 inputs of the fair value hierarchy available as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. These amounts have not been revalued since those dates, and current estimates of fair value could differ significantly from the amounts presented.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	15. Variable Interest Entities Following is a description of our financial interests in variable interest entities that we consider significant, including (i) those for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the entity and, therefore, have consolidated the entities into our financial statements; (ii) those that represent a significant interest in an unconsolidated entity and (iii) trusts for final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation obligations for both consolidated and unconsolidated variable interest entities. Consolidated Variable Interest Entities Waste-to-Energy LLCs — In December 2014, we purchased the noncontrolling interests in the LLCs from Hancock and CIT in anticipation of our sale of our Wheelabrator business. The LLCs were then subsequently sold as part of the divestment. See Note 9 for further discussion of the sale of our Wheelabrator business. Significant Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities Investment in Refined Coal Facility — Investment in Low-Income Housing Properties — Trusts for Final Capping, Closure, Post-Closure or Environmental Remediation Obligations We have significant financial interests in trust funds that were created to settle certain of our final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation obligations. Generally, we are the sole beneficiary of these restricted balances; however, certain of the funds have been established for the benefit of both the Company and the host community in which we operate. We have determined that these trust funds are variable interest entities; however, we are not the primary beneficiary of certain of these entities because either (i) we do not have the power to direct the significant activities of the trusts or (ii) power over the trusts’ significant activities is shared. We account for the trusts for which we are the sole beneficiary as long-term “Other assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. We reflect our interests in the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities held by these trusts as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” These trusts had a fair value of $91 million at September 30, 2015 and $129 million at December 31, 2014. The decrease is primarily due to the closure of certain trust and escrow accounts which were converted to other forms of financial assurance. Our interests in the trusts that have been established for the benefit of both the Company and the host community in which we operate are accounted for as investments in unconsolidated entities and receivables. These amounts are recorded in “Other receivables,” “Investments in unconsolidated entities” and long-term “Other assets” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as appropriate. Our investments and receivables related to these trusts had an aggregate carrying value of $99 million and $113 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As the party with primary responsibility to fund the related final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation activities, we are exposed to risk of loss as a result of potential changes in the fair value of the assets of the trust. The fair value of trust assets can fluctuate due to (i) changes in the market value of the investments held by the trusts or (ii) credit risk associated with trust receivables. Although we are exposed to changes in the fair value of the trust assets, we currently expect the trust funds to continue to meet the statutory requirements for which they were established.

Condensed Consolidating Financi

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	16. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements WM Holdings has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of WM’s senior indebtedness. WM has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of WM Holdings’ senior indebtedness. None of WM’s other subsidiaries have guaranteed any of WM’s or WM Holdings’ debt. As a result of these guarantee arrangements, we are required to present the following condensed consolidating financial information (in millions): CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 113 $ — $ 113 Other current assets 3 6 2,277 — 2,286 3 6 2,390 — 2,399 Property and equipment, net — — 10,659 — 10,659 Investments in and advances to affiliates 18,241 18,632 7,230 (44,103 ) — Other assets 57 29 7,258 — 7,344 Total assets $ 18,301 $ 18,667 $ 27,537 $ (44,103 ) $ 20,402 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 14 $ — $ 201 $ — $ 215 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 59 4 2,164 — 2,227 73 4 2,365 — 2,442 Long-term debt, less current portion 5,856 304 2,675 — 8,835 Due to affiliates 7,112 118 — (7,230 ) — Other liabilities 25 — 3,843 — 3,868 Total liabilities 13,066 426 8,883 (7,230 ) 15,145 Equity: Stockholders’ equity 5,235 18,241 18,632 (36,873 ) 5,235 Noncontrolling interests — — 22 — 22 5,235 18,241 18,654 (36,873 ) 5,257 Total liabilities and equity $ 18,301 $ 18,667 $ 27,537 $ (44,103 ) $ 20,402 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (Continued) December 31, 2014 WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,235 $ — $ 72 $ — $ 1,307 Other current assets 5 6 2,323 — 2,334 1,240 6 2,395 — 3,641 Property and equipment, net — — 10,657 — 10,657 Investments in and advances to affiliates 17,312 17,782 6,745 (41,839 ) — Other assets 50 28 7,036 — 7,114 Total assets $ 18,602 $ 17,816 $ 26,833 $ (41,839 ) $ 21,412 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 957 $ — $ 133 $ — $ 1,090 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 86 13 2,296 — 2,395 1,043 13 2,429 — 3,485 Long-term debt, less current portion 4,958 449 2,938 — 8,345 Due to affiliates 6,703 42 — (6,745 ) — Other liabilities 32 — 3,661 — 3,693 Total liabilities 12,736 504 9,028 (6,745 ) 15,523 Equity: Stockholders’ equity 5,866 17,312 17,782 (35,094 ) 5,866 Noncontrolling interests — — 23 — 23 5,866 17,312 17,805 (35,094 ) 5,889 Total liabilities and equity $ 18,602 $ 17,816 $ 26,833 $ (41,839 ) $ 21,412 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 3,360 $ — $ 3,360 Costs and expenses — — 2,759 — 2,759 Income from operations — — 601 — 601 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (72 ) (5 ) (18 ) — (95 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt — — — — — Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes 378 381 — (759 ) — Other, net — — (10 ) — (10 ) 306 376 (28 ) (759 ) (105 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 306 376 573 (759 ) 496 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (29 ) (2 ) 190 — 159 Consolidated net income (loss) 335 378 383 (759 ) 337 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 2 — 2 Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 335 $ 378 $ 381 $ (759 ) $ 335 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 3,602 $ — $ 3,602 Costs and expenses — — 3,056 — 3,056 Income from operations — — 546 — 546 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (89 ) (8 ) (19 ) — (116 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes 324 329 — (653 ) — Other, net — — (16 ) — (16 ) 235 321 (35 ) (653 ) (132 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 235 321 511 (653 ) 414 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (35 ) (3 ) 171 — 133 Consolidated net income (loss) 270 324 340 (653 ) 281 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 11 — 11 Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 270 $ 324 $ 329 $ (653 ) $ 270 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 9,715 $ — $ 9,715 Costs and expenses — — 8,172 — 8,172 Income from operations — — 1,543 — 1,543 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (226 ) (17 ) (51 ) — (294 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (500 ) (52 ) — — (552 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes 929 971 — (1,900 ) — Other, net — — (34 ) — (34 ) 203 902 (85 ) (1,900 ) (880 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 203 902 1,458 (1,900 ) 663 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (277 ) (27 ) 488 — 184 Consolidated net income (loss) 480 929 970 (1,900 ) 479 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 480 $ 929 $ 971 $ (1,900 ) $ 480 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 10,559 $ — $ 10,559 Costs and expenses — (34 ) 9,046 — 9,012 Income from operations — 34 1,513 — 1,547 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (263 ) (24 ) (65 ) — (352 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes 867 848 — (1,715 ) — Other, net — — (43 ) — (43 ) 604 824 (108 ) (1,715 ) (395 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 604 858 1,405 (1,715 ) 1,152 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (104 ) (9 ) 525 — 412 Consolidated net income (loss) 708 867 880 (1,715 ) 740 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 32 — 32 Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 708 $ 867 $ 848 $ (1,715 ) $ 708 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 336 $ 378 $ 325 $ (759 ) $ 280 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 2 — 2 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 336 $ 378 $ 323 $ (759 ) $ 278 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 271 $ 324 $ 281 $ (653 ) $ 223 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 11 — 11 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 271 $ 324 $ 270 $ (653 ) $ 212 WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 487 $ 929 $ 849 $ (1,900 ) $ 365 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 487 $ 929 $ 850 $ (1,900 ) $ 366 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 708 $ 867 $ 803 $ (1,715 ) $ 663 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 32 — 32 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 708 $ 867 $ 771 $ (1,715 ) $ 631 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Consolidated net income (loss) $ 480 $ 929 $ 970 $ (1,900 ) $ 479 Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes (929 ) (971 ) — 1,900 — Other adjustments (17 ) (11 ) 1,521 — 1,493 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (466 ) (53 ) 2,491 — 1,972 Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — — (473 ) — (473 ) Capital expenditures — — (864 ) — (864 ) Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested) — — 114 — 114 Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net — — 42 — 42 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities — — (1,181 ) — (1,181 ) Cash flows from financing activities: New borrowings 1,781 — 279 — 2,060 Debt repayments (1,825 ) (145 ) (451 ) — (2,421 ) Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt (503 ) (52 ) — — (555 ) Common stock repurchases (600 ) — — — (600 ) Cash dividends (523 ) — — — (523 ) Exercise of common stock options 53 — — — 53 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other 5 — (2 ) — 3 (Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net 843 250 (1,093 ) — — Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (769 ) 53 (1,267 ) — (1,983 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (2 ) — (2 ) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1,235 ) — 41 — (1,194 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,235 — 72 — 1,307 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ — $ — $ 113 $ — $ 113 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Consolidated net income (loss) $ 708 $ 867 $ 880 $ (1,715 ) $ 740 Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes (867 ) (848 ) — 1,715 — Other adjustments (46 ) (8 ) 1,125 — 1,071 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (205 ) 11 2,005 — 1,811 Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — — (32 ) — (32 ) Capital expenditures — — (781 ) — (781 ) Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested) — 42 277 — 319 Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net — — (82 ) — (82 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities — 42 (618 ) — (576 ) Cash flows from financing activities: New borrowings 2,157 — 207 — 2,364 Debt repayments (1,995 ) — (397 ) — (2,392 ) Common stock repurchases (600 ) — — — (600 ) Cash dividends (521 ) — — — (521 ) Exercise of common stock options 70 — — — 70 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other 3 — (31 ) — (28 ) (Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net 1,091 (53 ) (1,038 ) — — Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 205 (53 ) (1,259 ) — (1,107 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (3 ) — (3 ) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents — — 125 — 125 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period — — 58 — 58 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ — $ — $ 183 $ — $ 183

New Accounting Standard Pending

New Accounting Standard Pending Adoption	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
New Accounting Standard Pending Adoption	17. New Accounting Standard Pending Adoption In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board amended authoritative guidance associated with revenue recognition. The amended guidance requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additionally, the amendments will require enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosures regarding customer contracts. The amended authoritative guidance associated with revenue recognition is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The amended guidance may be applied retrospectively for all periods presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the amended guidance recognized at the date of initial application. We are in the process of assessing the provisions of the amended guidance and have not determined whether the adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The financial statements presented in this report represent the consolidation of Waste Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation; Waste Management’s wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries; and certain variable interest entities for which Waste Management or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries as described in Note 15. Waste Management is a holding company and all operations are conducted by its subsidiaries. When the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are used in this document, those terms refer to Waste Management, Inc., its consolidated subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities. When we use the term “WM,” we are referring only to Waste Management, Inc., the parent holding company. We are North America’s leading provider of comprehensive waste management environmental services. We partner with our residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers and the communities we serve to manage and reduce waste at each stage from collection to disposal, while recovering valuable resources and creating clean, renewable energy. Our “Solid Waste” business is operated and managed locally by our subsidiaries that focus on distinct geographic areas and provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. Through our subsidiaries, we are also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. We evaluate, oversee and manage the financial performance of our Solid Waste business subsidiaries through our 17 geographic Areas. We also provide additional services that are not managed through our Solid Waste business, which are presented in this report as “Other.” Additional information related to our segments can be found in Note 8. In December 2014, we completed the sale of our Wheelabrator business, which provides waste-to-energy services and manages waste-to-energy facilities and independent power production plants. Refer to Note 9 for additional information related to our divestitures. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2015 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments, which, unless otherwise disclosed, are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in equity for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The financial statements presented herein should be read in connection with the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In preparing our financial statements, we make numerous estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses. We must make these estimates and assumptions because certain information that we use is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with precision from available data or simply cannot be calculated. In some cases, these estimates are difficult to determine, and we must exercise significant judgment. In preparing our financial statements, the most difficult, subjective and complex estimates and the assumptions that present the greatest amount of uncertainty relate to our accounting for landfills, environmental remediation liabilities, asset impairments, deferred income taxes and reserves associated with our insured and self-insured claims. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that we use in the preparation of our financial statements.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications When necessary, reclassifications have been made to our prior period consolidated financial information in order to conform to the current year presentation.

Landfill and Environmental Re26

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Liabilities for Landfill and Environmental Remediation Costs	Liabilities for landfill and environmental remediation costs are presented in the table below (in millions): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Landfill Environmental Remediation Total Landfill Environmental Remediation Total Current (in accrued liabilities) $ 103 $ 41 $ 144 $ 104 $ 43 $ 147 Long-term 1,417 188 1,605 1,339 192 1,531 $ 1,520 $ 229 $ 1,749 $ 1,443 $ 235 $ 1,678
Changes to Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities	The changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are reflected in the table below (in millions): Landfill Environmental Remediation December 31, 2013 $ 1,421 $ 227 Obligations incurred and capitalized 54 — Obligations settled (69 ) (21 ) Interest accretion 88 5 Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions (9 ) 25 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments(a) (42 ) (1 ) December 31, 2014 1,443 235 Obligations incurred and capitalized 46 — Obligations settled (50 ) (15 ) Interest accretion 66 3 Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions 6 7 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments(b) 9 (1 ) September 30, 2015 $ 1,520 $ 229 (a) The amounts reported for our 2014 landfill liabilities include reductions of $25 million for divestitures, including the divestiture of our Wheelabrator business. See Note 9 for discussion of our divestitures. (b) The amounts reported for our 2015 landfill liabilities include an increase of $18 million associated with the acquisition of Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. (“Deffenbaugh”). See Note 9 for discussion of our acquisition.

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Debt	The following table summarizes the major components of debt at each balance sheet date (in millions) and provides the maturities and interest rate ranges of each major category as of September 30, 2015: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 U.S. revolving credit facility, maturing July 2020 $ — $ — Letter of credit facilities, maturing through December 2018 — — Canadian credit facility and term loan, maturing November 2017 (weighted average effective interest rate of 2.1% at September 30, 2015 and 2.6% at December 31, 2014) 114 232 Senior notes maturing through 2045, interest rates ranging from 2.60% to 7.75% (weighted average interest rate of 4.7% at September 30, 2015 and 5.7% at December 31, 2014) 6,083 6,273 Tax-exempt bonds, maturing through 2045, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 0.02% to 5.7% (weighted average interest rate of 2.1% at September 30, 2015 and 2.2% at December 31, 2014) 2,493 2,541 Capital leases and other, maturing through 2055, interest rates up to 12% 360 389 9,050 9,435 Current portion of long-term debt 215 1,090 $ 8,835 $ 8,345

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Common Share Data Used for Computing Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	Basic and diluted earnings per share were computed using the following common share data (shares in millions): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Number of common shares outstanding at end of period 446.5 457.9 446.5 457.9 Effect of using weighted average common shares outstanding 3.1 2.9 8.0 6.1 Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 449.6 460.8 454.5 464.0 Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and other contingently issuable shares 3.1 2.8 3.0 2.4 Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 452.7 463.6 457.5 466.4 Potentially issuable shares 11.0 12.4 11.0 12.4 Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 2.0 0.4 2.0 0.7

Segment and Related Informati29

Segment and Related Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segments	Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following table (in millions): Gross Operating Revenues Intercompany Operating Revenues Net Operating Revenues Income Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 886 $ (144 ) $ 742 $ 226 Tier 2 1,677 (308 ) 1,369 350 Tier 3 869 (137 ) 732 151 Solid Waste 3,432 (589 ) 2,843 727 Wheelabrator — — — — Other 549 (32 ) 517 (8 ) 3,981 (621 ) 3,360 719 Corporate and Other — — — (118 ) Total $ 3,981 $ (621 ) $ 3,360 $ 601 September 30, 2014 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 895 $ (138 ) $ 757 $ 230 Tier 2 1,662 (307 ) 1,355 349 Tier 3 910 (147 ) 763 169 Solid Waste 3,467 (592 ) 2,875 748 Wheelabrator 205 (28 ) 177 48 Other 566 (16 ) 550 (10 ) 4,238 (636 ) 3,602 786 Corporate and Other — — — (240 ) Total $ 4,238 $ (636 ) $ 3,602 $ 546 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 2,590 $ (414 ) $ 2,176 $ 652 Tier 2 4,808 (873 ) 3,935 921 Tier 3 2,540 (410 ) 2,130 397 Solid Waste 9,938 (1,697 ) 8,241 1,970 Wheelabrator — — — 1 Other 1,552 (78 ) 1,474 (48 ) 11,490 (1,775 ) 9,715 1,923 Corporate and Other — — — (380 ) Total $ 11,490 $ (1,775 ) $ 9,715 $ 1,543 September 30, 2014 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 2,630 $ (405 ) $ 2,225 $ 671 Tier 2 4,814 (885 ) 3,929 968 Tier 3 2,668 (433 ) 2,235 442 Solid Waste 10,112 (1,723 ) 8,389 2,081 Wheelabrator 641 (80 ) 561 102 Other 1,664 (55 ) 1,609 (57 ) 12,417 (1,858 ) 10,559 2,126 Corporate and Other — — — (579 ) Total $ 12,417 $ (1,858 ) $ 10,559 $ 1,547

Acquisitions and Divestitures (

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Allocation of Purchase Price	The allocation of the purchase price for the Deffenbaugh acquisition is preliminary and subject to change based on the finalization of our detailed valuations. The following table presents adjustments since the acquisition date to the allocation of the purchase price (in millions): March 26, Adjustments September 30, Cash and cash equivalents $ 15 $ — $ 15 Accounts and other receivables 18 4 22 Parts and supplies 2 — 2 Deferred income tax asset 9 2 11 Other current assets 12 (2 ) 10 Property and equipment 212 (5 ) 207 Goodwill 140 12 152 Other intangible assets 134 (34 ) 100 Other assets 1 — 1 Accounts payable (4 ) 2 (2 ) Accrued liabilities (12 ) (3 ) (15 ) Deferred revenues (5 ) (1 ) (6 ) Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities (21 ) 3 (18 ) Deferred income tax liability (65 ) 15 (50 ) Other liabilities (20 ) 6 (14 ) Total purchase price $ 416 $ (1 ) $ 415
Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations	The following pro forma consolidated results of operations have been prepared as if the acquisition of Deffenbaugh occurred at January 1, 2014 (in millions, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2014 2015 2014 Operating revenues $ 3,646 $ 9,755 $ 10,688 Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. 272 480 713 Basic earnings per common share 0.59 1.06 1.54 Diluted earnings per common share 0.59 1.05 1.53

Accumulated Other Comprehensi31

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity, are as follows (in millions, with amounts in parentheses representing decreases to accumulated other comprehensive income): Derivative Instruments Available- for-Sale Securities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Post- Retirement Benefit Plans Total Balance, December 31, 2014 $ (61 ) $ 10 $ 84 $ (10 ) $ 23 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax expense (benefit) of $17, $(1), $0 and $0, respectively 27 (1 ) (128 ) — (102 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax (expense) benefit of $(11), $0, $0 and $0, respectively (17 ) — 5 — (12 ) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 10 (1 ) (123 ) — (114 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (51 ) $ 9 $ (39 ) $ (10 ) $ (91 )
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications Associated with Cash Flow Derivative Instruments	The amounts of other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications associated with our cash flow derivative instruments are as follows (in millions): Amount of Derivative Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges 2015 2014 2015 2014 Forward-starting interest rate swaps $ — $ — $ — $ (8 ) Foreign currency derivatives 23 13 44 11 Electricity commodity derivatives — — — (8 ) Total before tax 23 13 44 (5 ) Tax (expense) benefit (9 ) (5 ) (17 ) 2 Net of tax $ 14 $ 8 $ 27 $ (3 )
Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income with Cash Flow Derivative Instruments	The amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income associated with our cash flow derivative instruments are as follows (in millions, with amounts in parentheses representing debits to the statement of operations classification): Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Statement of Operations Classification Detail About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components 2015 2014 2015 2014 Gains and losses on cash flow hedges: Forward-starting interest rate swaps $ (4 ) $ (3 ) $ (9 ) $ (8 ) Interest expense Treasury rate locks — — (3 ) (1 ) Interest expense Foreign currency derivatives 19 16 40 16 Other, net Electricity commodity derivatives — — — (9 ) Operating revenues 15 13 28 (2 ) Total before tax (6 ) (5 ) (11 ) 1 Tax (expense) benefit Total reclassifications for the period $ 9 $ 8 $ 17 $ (1 ) Net of tax

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following (in millions): Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2015 Using Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)(a) Assets: Money market funds $ 43 $ 43 $ — $ — Fixed-income securities 37 — 37 — Redeemable preferred stock 47 — — 47 Foreign currency derivatives 73 — 73 — Total assets $ 200 $ 43 $ 110 $ 47 Liabilities: Foreign currency derivatives $ 1 $ — $ 1 $ — Total liabilities $ 1 $ — $ 1 $ — Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)(a) Assets: Money market funds $ 1,335 $ 1,335 $ — $ — Fixed-income securities 38 — 38 — Redeemable preferred stock 44 — — 44 Foreign currency derivatives 28 — 28 — Total assets $ 1,445 $ 1,335 $ 66 $ 44 (a) Level 3 investments have been measured based on third-party investors’ recent or pending transactions in these securities, which are considered the best evidence of fair value currently available. When this evidence is not available, we use other valuation techniques as appropriate and available. These valuation methodologies may include transactions in similar instruments, discounted cash flow analysis, third-party appraisals or industry multiples and public comparables. There has not been any significant change in the fair value of the redeemable preferred stock since our assessment at December 31, 2014.

Condensed Consolidating Finan33

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 113 $ — $ 113 Other current assets 3 6 2,277 — 2,286 3 6 2,390 — 2,399 Property and equipment, net — — 10,659 — 10,659 Investments in and advances to affiliates 18,241 18,632 7,230 (44,103 ) — Other assets 57 29 7,258 — 7,344 Total assets $ 18,301 $ 18,667 $ 27,537 $ (44,103 ) $ 20,402 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 14 $ — $ 201 $ — $ 215 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 59 4 2,164 — 2,227 73 4 2,365 — 2,442 Long-term debt, less current portion 5,856 304 2,675 — 8,835 Due to affiliates 7,112 118 — (7,230 ) — Other liabilities 25 — 3,843 — 3,868 Total liabilities 13,066 426 8,883 (7,230 ) 15,145 Equity: Stockholders’ equity 5,235 18,241 18,632 (36,873 ) 5,235 Noncontrolling interests — — 22 — 22 5,235 18,241 18,654 (36,873 ) 5,257 Total liabilities and equity $ 18,301 $ 18,667 $ 27,537 $ (44,103 ) $ 20,402 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS (Continued) December 31, 2014 WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,235 $ — $ 72 $ — $ 1,307 Other current assets 5 6 2,323 — 2,334 1,240 6 2,395 — 3,641 Property and equipment, net — — 10,657 — 10,657 Investments in and advances to affiliates 17,312 17,782 6,745 (41,839 ) — Other assets 50 28 7,036 — 7,114 Total assets $ 18,602 $ 17,816 $ 26,833 $ (41,839 ) $ 21,412 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 957 $ — $ 133 $ — $ 1,090 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 86 13 2,296 — 2,395 1,043 13 2,429 — 3,485 Long-term debt, less current portion 4,958 449 2,938 — 8,345 Due to affiliates 6,703 42 — (6,745 ) — Other liabilities 32 — 3,661 — 3,693 Total liabilities 12,736 504 9,028 (6,745 ) 15,523 Equity: Stockholders’ equity 5,866 17,312 17,782 (35,094 ) 5,866 Noncontrolling interests — — 23 — 23 5,866 17,312 17,805 (35,094 ) 5,889 Total liabilities and equity $ 18,602 $ 17,816 $ 26,833 $ (41,839 ) $ 21,412
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 3,360 $ — $ 3,360 Costs and expenses — — 2,759 — 2,759 Income from operations — — 601 — 601 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (72 ) (5 ) (18 ) — (95 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt — — — — — Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes 378 381 — (759 ) — Other, net — — (10 ) — (10 ) 306 376 (28 ) (759 ) (105 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 306 376 573 (759 ) 496 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (29 ) (2 ) 190 — 159 Consolidated net income (loss) 335 378 383 (759 ) 337 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 2 — 2 Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 335 $ 378 $ 381 $ (759 ) $ 335 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 3,602 $ — $ 3,602 Costs and expenses — — 3,056 — 3,056 Income from operations — — 546 — 546 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (89 ) (8 ) (19 ) — (116 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes 324 329 — (653 ) — Other, net — — (16 ) — (16 ) 235 321 (35 ) (653 ) (132 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 235 321 511 (653 ) 414 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (35 ) (3 ) 171 — 133 Consolidated net income (loss) 270 324 340 (653 ) 281 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 11 — 11 Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 270 $ 324 $ 329 $ (653 ) $ 270 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 9,715 $ — $ 9,715 Costs and expenses — — 8,172 — 8,172 Income from operations — — 1,543 — 1,543 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (226 ) (17 ) (51 ) — (294 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt (500 ) (52 ) — — (552 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes 929 971 — (1,900 ) — Other, net — — (34 ) — (34 ) 203 902 (85 ) (1,900 ) (880 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 203 902 1,458 (1,900 ) 663 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (277 ) (27 ) 488 — 184 Consolidated net income (loss) 480 929 970 (1,900 ) 479 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 480 $ 929 $ 971 $ (1,900 ) $ 480 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 10,559 $ — $ 10,559 Costs and expenses — (34 ) 9,046 — 9,012 Income from operations — 34 1,513 — 1,547 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (263 ) (24 ) (65 ) — (352 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes 867 848 — (1,715 ) — Other, net — — (43 ) — (43 ) 604 824 (108 ) (1,715 ) (395 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 604 858 1,405 (1,715 ) 1,152 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (104 ) (9 ) 525 — 412 Consolidated net income (loss) 708 867 880 (1,715 ) 740 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 32 — 32 Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 708 $ 867 $ 848 $ (1,715 ) $ 708
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 336 $ 378 $ 325 $ (759 ) $ 280 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 2 — 2 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 336 $ 378 $ 323 $ (759 ) $ 278 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 271 $ 324 $ 281 $ (653 ) $ 223 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 11 — 11 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 271 $ 324 $ 270 $ (653 ) $ 212 WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 487 $ 929 $ 849 $ (1,900 ) $ 365 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 487 $ 929 $ 850 $ (1,900 ) $ 366 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 708 $ 867 $ 803 $ (1,715 ) $ 663 Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 32 — 32 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 708 $ 867 $ 771 $ (1,715 ) $ 631
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Consolidated net income (loss) $ 480 $ 929 $ 970 $ (1,900 ) $ 479 Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes (929 ) (971 ) — 1,900 — Other adjustments (17 ) (11 ) 1,521 — 1,493 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (466 ) (53 ) 2,491 — 1,972 Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — — (473 ) — (473 ) Capital expenditures — — (864 ) — (864 ) Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested) — — 114 — 114 Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net — — 42 — 42 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities — — (1,181 ) — (1,181 ) Cash flows from financing activities: New borrowings 1,781 — 279 — 2,060 Debt repayments (1,825 ) (145 ) (451 ) — (2,421 ) Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt (503 ) (52 ) — — (555 ) Common stock repurchases (600 ) — — — (600 ) Cash dividends (523 ) — — — (523 ) Exercise of common stock options 53 — — — 53 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other 5 — (2 ) — 3 (Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net 843 250 (1,093 ) — — Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (769 ) 53 (1,267 ) — (1,983 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (2 ) — (2 ) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1,235 ) — 41 — (1,194 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,235 — 72 — 1,307 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ — $ — $ 113 $ — $ 113 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) WM WM Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows from operating activities: Consolidated net income (loss) $ 708 $ 867 $ 880 $ (1,715 ) $ 740 Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes (867 ) (848 ) — 1,715 — Other adjustments (46 ) (8 ) 1,125 — 1,071 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (205 ) 11 2,005 — 1,811 Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — — (32 ) — (32 ) Capital expenditures — — (781 ) — (781 ) Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested) — 42 277 — 319 Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net — — (82 ) — (82 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities — 42 (618 ) — (576 ) Cash flows from financing activities: New borrowings 2,157 — 207 — 2,364 Debt repayments (1,995 ) — (397 ) — (2,392 ) Common stock repurchases (600 ) — — — (600 ) Cash dividends (521 ) — — — (521 ) Exercise of common stock options 70 — — — 70 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other 3 — (31 ) — (28 ) (Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net 1,091 (53 ) (1,038 ) — — Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 205 (53 ) (1,259 ) — (1,107 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — (3 ) — (3 ) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents — — 125 — 125 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period — — 58 — 58 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ — $ — $ 183 $ — $ 183

Basis of Presentation - Additio

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015Areas
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of geographical areas	17

Landfill and Environmental Re35

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities - Liabilities for Landfill and Environmental Remediation Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Total, Environmental Remediation	$ 229
Current (in accrued liabilities)	144	$ 147
Long-term	1,605	1,531
Total	1,749	1,678
Landfill [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Current (in accrued liabilities), Landfill	103	104
Long-term, Landfill	1,417	1,339
Total, Landfill	1,520	1,443	$ 1,421
Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Current (in accrued liabilities), Environmental Remediation	41	43
Long-term, Environmental Remediation	188	192
Total, Environmental Remediation	$ 229	$ 235	$ 227

Landfill and Environmental Re36

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities - Changes to Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items]
Interest accretion	$ 66	$ 65
Ending balance, environmental remediation	229
Landfill [Member]
Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items]
Beginning balance, landfill	1,443	1,421	$ 1,421
Obligations incurred and capitalized	46		54
Obligations settled	(50)		(69)
Interest accretion	66		88
Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions	6		(9)
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	9		(42)
Ending balance, landfill	1,520		1,443
Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Member]
Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items]
Beginning balance, environmental remediation	235	$ 227	227
Obligations settled	(15)		(21)
Interest accretion	3		5
Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions	7		25
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	(1)		(1)
Ending balance, environmental remediation	$ 229		$ 235

Landfill and Environmental Re37

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities - Changes to Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member]
Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in landfill liabilities	$ 18
Wheelabrator [Member]
Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in landfill liabilities		$ (25)

Debt - Components of Debt (Deta

Debt - Components of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	$ 9,050	$ 9,435
Current portion of long-term debt	215	1,090
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,835	8,345
U.S. Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	0	0
Letter of Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	0	0
Canadian Credit Facility and Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	114	232
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	6,083	6,273
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	2,493	2,541
Capital Leases and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	$ 360	$ 389

Debt - Components of Debt (Pare

Debt - Components of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.70%	5.70%
Interest rate lower range	2.60%
Interest rate upper range	7.75%
End period of maturity for debt instrument	Mar. 1, 2045
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	2.10%	2.20%
Interest rate lower range	0.02%
Interest rate upper range	5.70%
End period of maturity for debt instrument	Aug. 1, 2045
Capital Leases and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate upper range	12.00%
End period of maturity for debt instrument	Dec. 31, 2055
U.S. Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of credit facility	Jul. 10, 2020
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of credit facility	Dec. 31, 2018
Canadian Credit Facility and Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	2.10%	2.60%
Maturity date of credit facility	Nov. 7, 2017

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015CAD	Sep. 30, 2015CAD	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturing within twelve months			$ 701
Tax-exempt bonds subject to re-pricing within next 12 months			487
Debt maturing within twelve months classified as long-term			973
Current Debt Obligations			215				$ 1,090
Letters of credit outstanding revolving credit facility			982
Senior Notes Maturing In 2015 2017 And 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Early repayment of senior notes		$ 947
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes Issued	$ 1,800
Proceeds from notes	$ 1,780
3.125% Senior Notes Due March 1, 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of senior notes	3.125%
Debt instrument face amount	$ 600
Maturity Date	Mar. 1, 2025
3.90% Senior Notes Due March 1, 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of senior notes	3.90%
Debt instrument face amount	$ 450
Maturity Date	Mar. 1, 2035
4.10% Senior Notes Due March 1, 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of senior notes	4.10%
Debt instrument face amount	$ 750
Maturity Date	Mar. 1, 2045
Nontaxable Municipal Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Tax-exempt bonds, current			117
Nontaxable Municipal Bonds [Member] | Variable Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable-rate tax-exempt bonds			491
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of tax exempt bonds			50
2.6% Senior Notes Mature in September 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note amount			$ 500
Canadian Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity | CAD					CAD 150,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding revolving credit facility | CAD					CAD 0
Term credit, maturity date			2017-11	2017-11
Early Extinguishment of Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net borrowings (repayments) of senior notes charges			$ 430
Early Extinguishment of Debt [Member] | Senior Notes Maturing In 2015 2017 And 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net borrowings (repayments) of senior notes charges			122
Early Extinguishment of Debt [Member] | 7.10% Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note amount			449
Early repayment of senior notes			$ 145
Interest rate of senior notes			7.10%		7.10%
Maturity period			2,026	2,026
Early Extinguishment of Debt [Member] | 7.00% Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note amount			$ 577
Early repayment of senior notes			$ 182
Interest rate of senior notes			7.00%		7.00%
Maturity period			2,028	2,028
Early Extinguishment of Debt [Member] | 7.375% Senior Notes Due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note amount			$ 223
Early repayment of senior notes			$ 84
Interest rate of senior notes			7.375%		7.375%
Maturity period			2,029	2,029
Early Extinguishment of Debt [Member] | 7.75% Senior Notes Due 2032 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note amount			$ 496
Early repayment of senior notes			$ 286
Interest rate of senior notes			7.75%		7.75%
Maturity period			2,032	2,032
Early Extinguishment of Debt [Member] | 6.125% Senior Notes Due 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note amount			$ 600
Early repayment of senior notes			$ 326
Interest rate of senior notes			6.125%		6.125%
Maturity period			2,039	2,039
U.S. Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity			$ 2,250			$ 2,250
Maturity date of credit facility			Jul. 10, 2020	Jul. 10, 2020
Letters of credit outstanding revolving credit facility			$ 832
Unused and available credit capacity			1,418
Letter of Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity			$ 2,400
Maturity date of credit facility			Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Letter of Credit Facilities [Member] | Canadian Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity | CAD					CAD 50,000,000
Canadian Credit Facility and Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of credit facility			Nov. 7, 2017	Nov. 7, 2017
Net borrowings (repayments)			$ 93	CAD 119,000,000
Domestic Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity			$ 2,250

Derivative Instruments and He41

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015CAD
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Principal [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivatives | CAD							CAD 370,000,000
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Long-term other assets [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivatives	$ 73			$ 73		$ 28
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Current Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivatives	1			1
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Deferred losses for previously terminated swaps recorded as interest expense				$ 3
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivatives			$ 175
Cash received (paid) to settle hedges			$ 36
Maximum term of cash flow hedges				10 years
Deferred losses, net of taxes, related to cash flow hedges included in accumulated other comprehensive income	45			$ 45		50
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value Hedge [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Increase in carrying value of debt instruments from fair value hedge accounting for interest rate swaps				25		$ 45
Benefits (losses) to interest expense associated with the amortization of our terminated interest rate swaps	2	$ 3		6	$ 11
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value Hedge [Member] | Early Extinguishment of Debt [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Benefits (losses) to interest expense associated with the amortization of our terminated interest rate swaps				14
Treasury rate locks [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Deferred losses scheduled to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive into interest expense over next 12 months, pre-tax	$ 11			$ 11
October 31, 2016 [Member] | Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivatives | CAD							70,000,000
October 31, 2017 [Member] | Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivatives | CAD							150,000,000
October 31, 2018 [Member] | Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivatives | CAD							CAD 150,000,000

Income Taxes - Additional infor

Income Taxes - Additional information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rate of income (loss) before income taxes	32.30%	32.10%	27.80%	35.70%
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	$ 9	$ 14	$ 32	$ 36
Percentage of Bonus Depreciation allowance in service before 1/1/2015					50.00%
Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	5	6	17	18
Interest expense	1	1	3	4
Affordable housing tax credits and other tax benefits amount from equity method investment	10	10	25	27
Tax credits from equity method investment	7	7	17	18
Investment in Refined Coal Facility [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	2	1	4	3
Income tax benefit, including tax credits, from equity method investment	$ 7	$ 6	$ 16	$ 14

Earnings Per Share - Common Sha

Earnings Per Share - Common Share Data Used for Computing Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Number of common shares outstanding at end of period	446.5	457.9	446.5	457.9
Effect of using weighted average common shares outstanding	3.1	2.9	8	6.1
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	449.6	460.8	454.5	464
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and other contingently issuable shares	3.1	2.8	3	2.4
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	452.7	463.6	457.5	466.4
Potentially issuable shares	11	12.4	11	12.4
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	2	0.4	2	0.7

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional information (Detail)	Jul. 10, 2015USD ($)ViolationsEmployees	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)siteLandfillHomeowners	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)siteLandfillHomeowners	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 20, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Term of Guarantees of financial obligations					Guarantees of unconsolidated entities' financial obligations maturing through 2020
Maximum future payments regarding guarantees of unconsolidated entities financial obligations		$ 8,000,000			$ 8,000,000
Approximate number of homeowners' properties adjacent to or near certain of our landfills with agreements guaranteeing market value | Homeowners		800			800
Number of landfills adjacent to or near homeowners' properties with agreements guaranteeing market value | Landfill		20			20
High end estimate of reasonably possible additional losses associated with environmental remediation liabilities		$ 195,000,000			$ 195,000,000
Environmental remediation liability		$ 229,000,000			$ 229,000,000
Number of sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP | site		76			76
Number of owned sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP | site		15			15
Number of non-owned sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP | site		61			61
Assessment of civil penalty amount							$ 528,000
Approximate percentage of workforce covered by collective bargaining agreements		20.00%			20.00%
Amount associated with withdrawal from underfunded multiemployer pension plans		$ 2,095,000,000		$ 2,299,000,000	$ 6,204,000,000	$ 6,832,000,000
Waste Management of Hawaii Inc. ("WMHI") [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of violations reported | Violations	2
Number of employees indicted | Employees	2
Payment of environmental fines	$ 400,000
Payment towards environmental projects	200,000
Payment of environmental fines by employees	$ 25,000
2014 Audit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of months expected for IRS audit(s) to be completed					6 months
2015 Audit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of months expected for IRS audit(s) to be completed					18 months
Certain Underfunded Multiemployer Pension Plans [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount associated with withdrawal from underfunded multiemployer pension plans			$ 55,000,000
Wheelabrator [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum future payments regarding guarantees of unconsolidated entities financial obligations								$ 176,000,000
Financial and performance obligations, net liability		16,000,000			$ 16,000,000			$ 18,000,000
Domestic Line of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity		$ 2,250,000,000			$ 2,250,000,000

Segment and Related Informati45

Segment and Related Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015AreasSegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of geographical areas	17
Solid Waste [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of geographical areas	17
Number of reportable segments | Segment	3

Segment and Related Informati46

Segment and Related Information - Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,360	$ 3,602	$ 9,715	$ 10,559
Income from operations	601	546	1,543	1,547
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,981	4,238	11,490	12,417
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(621)	(636)	(1,775)	(1,858)
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	(118)	(240)	(380)	(579)
Solid Waste: Tier 1 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	742	757	2,176	2,225
Income from operations	226	230	652	671
Solid Waste: Tier 1 [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	886	895	2,590	2,630
Solid Waste: Tier 1 [Member] | Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(144)	(138)	(414)	(405)
Solid Waste: Tier 2 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,369	1,355	3,935	3,929
Income from operations	350	349	921	968
Solid Waste: Tier 2 [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,677	1,662	4,808	4,814
Solid Waste: Tier 2 [Member] | Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(308)	(307)	(873)	(885)
Solid Waste: Tier 3 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	732	763	2,130	2,235
Income from operations	151	169	397	442
Solid Waste: Tier 3 [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	869	910	2,540	2,668
Solid Waste: Tier 3 [Member] | Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(137)	(147)	(410)	(433)
Solid Waste [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	2,843	2,875	8,241	8,389
Income from operations	727	748	1,970	2,081
Solid Waste [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,432	3,467	9,938	10,112
Solid Waste [Member] | Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(589)	(592)	(1,697)	(1,723)
Wheelabrator [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues		177		561
Income from operations		48	1	102
Wheelabrator [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues		205		641
Wheelabrator [Member] | Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues		(28)		(80)
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	517	550	1,474	1,609
Income from operations	(8)	(10)	(48)	(57)
Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	549	566	1,552	1,664
Other [Member] | Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(32)	(16)	(78)	(55)
Operating Group Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,360	3,602	9,715	10,559
Income from operations	719	786	1,923	2,126
Operating Group Total [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,981	4,238	11,490	12,417
Operating Group Total [Member] | Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ (621)	$ (636)	$ (1,775)	$ (1,858)

Acquisitions and Divestitures -

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 26, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired							$ 473	$ 32
Purchase price allocation to goodwill			$ 5,886	$ 5,740			5,886
Wheelabrator [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of business		$ 1,950
Net gain (loss) on divestitures				$ 519
Period of agreement		7 years
Puerto Rico Operation and Certain Other Collection and Landfill Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of business						$ 80
Net gain (loss) on divestitures						(25)		$ (25)
Puerto Rico Operation and Certain Other Collection and Landfill Assets [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of business						15
Puerto Rico Operation and Certain Other Collection and Landfill Assets [Member] | Cash [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of business						$ 65
Eastern Canada Area [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) on divestitures					$ 18
Eastern Canada Area [Member] | Cash [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of business					$ 39
Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 413
Total consideration paid	416		415				415
Business acquisition, revenue recognized			44				92
Purchase price allocation to goodwill	140		152				152
Other intangible assets	$ 134		100				100
Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, net income (loss) less than			$ 1				1
Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets subject to amortization							$ 94
Total other intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted average amortization period							15 years
Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member] | Trade Name [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets subject to amortization							$ 6
Total other intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted average amortization period							15 years

Acquisitions and Divestitures48

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Allocation of Purchase Price (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 5,886		$ 5,740
Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	15	$ 15
Accounts and other receivables	22	18
Parts and supplies	2	2
Deferred income tax asset	11	9
Other current assets	10	12
Property and equipment	207	212
Goodwill	152	140
Other intangible assets	100	134
Other assets	1	1
Accounts payable	(2)	(4)
Accrued liabilities	(15)	(12)
Deferred revenues	(6)	(5)
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	(18)	(21)
Deferred income tax liability	(50)	(65)
Other liabilities	(14)	(20)
Total purchase price	415	$ 416
Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member] | Adjustments [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts and other receivables	4
Deferred income tax asset	2
Other current assets	(2)
Property and equipment	(5)
Goodwill	12
Other intangible assets	(34)
Accounts payable	2
Accrued liabilities	(3)
Deferred revenues	(1)
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	3
Deferred income tax liability	15
Other liabilities	6
Total purchase price	$ (1)

Acquisitions and Divestitures49

Acquisitions and Divestitures - ProForma Consolidated Results of Operations (Detail) - Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,646	$ 9,755	$ 10,688
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 272	$ 480	$ 713
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.59	$ 1.06	$ 1.54
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.59	$ 1.05	$ 1.53

Restructuring - Additional Info

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		21 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014Employees	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges		$ 2	$ 67	$ 7	$ 69
Pre-tax restructuring charges related to employee severance and benefit costs			$ 61
Number of employee positions eliminated | Employees	650
Employee severance and benefit costs relating to 2014 and 2015 restructurings		73		73		$ 73
Employee severance and benefit cost payments						65
Remaining employee severance payable through our restructuring efforts		$ 5		$ 5		$ 5
Completion date of restructuring activities				Dec. 31, 2015
Deffenbaugh Disposal, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax restructuring charges				$ 7
Pre-tax restructuring charges related to employee severance and benefit costs				$ 3

Asset Impairments and Unusual51

Asset Impairments and Unusual Items - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
(Income) expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items	$ 2			$ (16)			$ 17	$ 21
Gain on sale of property							9	31
Waste Diversion Technology Companies [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Impairment charge from equity method investment								5
Landfill [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Asset impairments (other than goodwill)							5
Oil and Gas Producing Property [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Gain on sale of property		$ 6
Waste Processing Facility [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Asset impairments (other than goodwill)								12
Wheelabrator [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) on divestitures			$ 519
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)						$ 155
Recycling Operations [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Asset impairments (other than goodwill)							$ 18
Puerto Rico Operation and Certain Other Collection and Landfill Assets [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) on divestitures					$ (25)			$ (25)
Eastern Canada Area [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) on divestitures				18
Eastern Canada Area [Member] | Landfill [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Gains on sale of certain landfill and collection operations				$ 16

Accumulated Other Comprehensi52

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			$ 23
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax			(102)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax			(12)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$ (57)	$ (58)	(114)	$ (77)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	(91)		(91)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			(61)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax			27
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax			(17)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes			10
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	(51)		(51)
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			10
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax			(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes			(1)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	9		9
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			84
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax			(128)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax			5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes			(123)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	(39)		(39)
Post - Retirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			$ (10)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	$ (10)		$ (10)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi53

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	$ 9	$ 5	$ 17	$ (2)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax			17
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax			(11)
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax			(1)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax			0
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, tax			0
Post - Retirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, tax			$ 0

Accumulated Other Comprehensi54

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications Associated with Cash Flow Derivative Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss) on derivatives before tax	$ 23	$ 13	$ 44	$ (5)
Tax (expense) benefit	(9)	(5)	(17)	2
Net of tax	14	8	27	(3)
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss) on derivatives before tax				(8)
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss) on derivatives before tax	$ 23	$ 13	$ 44	11
Electricity Commodity Derivatives [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss) on derivatives before tax				$ (8)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi55

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income with Cash Flow Derivative Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ (95)	$ (116)	$ (294)	$ (352)
Other, net	(1)	(2)	(2)	(7)
Operating revenues	3,360	3,602	9,715	10,559
Income before income taxes	496	414	663	1,152
Tax (expense) benefit	(159)	(133)	(184)	(412)
Consolidated net income (loss)	337	281	479	740
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	15	13	28	(2)
Tax (expense) benefit	(6)	(5)	(11)	1
Consolidated net income (loss)	9	8	17	(1)
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	(4)	(3)	(9)	(8)
Treasury rate locks [Member] | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense			(3)	(1)
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other, net	$ 19	$ 16	$ 40	16
Electricity Commodity Derivatives [Member] | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Operating revenues				$ (9)

Share Repurchases - Additional

Share Repurchases - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions	1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015$ / sharesshares	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Jun. 30, 2015$ / sharesshares	May. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Feb. 28, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)Bankshares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2014USD ($)
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock							$ 600,000,000	$ 600,000,000
Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Maximum capital allocated for repurchases of shares					$ 1,000,000,000
Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement (ASR) [Member]
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Maximum capital allocated for repurchases of shares		$ 300,000,000		$ 300,000,000					$ 600,000,000
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock		$ 300,000,000		$ 300,000,000		$ 600,000,000
Initial shares of common stock received under ASR | shares		4.3		4.2		9.6
Accelerated share repurchase percentage of shares expected to be repurchased		70.00%		70.00%		70.00%
Shares received from the banks to settle the ASRs | shares	1.6		1.9		2.8		1.6
Number of banks in which ASR agreement signed | Bank						2
Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement (ASR) [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Final weighted average per share purchase price for the completed ASR agreements | $ / shares	$ 50.50		$ 49.17		$ 48.58

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 200	$ 1,445
Derivative liabilities	1
Total liabilities	1
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market funds	43	1,335
Fixed-Income Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	37	38
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	47	44
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivatives	73	28
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	43	1,335
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Money market funds	43	1,335
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	110	66
Derivative liabilities	1
Total liabilities	1
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed-Income Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	37	38
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivatives	73	28
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	47	44
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	$ 47	$ 44

Fair Value Measurements - Fai58

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Change in the fair value of redeemable preferred stock	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt	$ 361
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt	9,100	$ 9,400
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt	$ 9,500	$ 10,600

Variable Interest Entities - Ad

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2000	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests				$ 2	$ 11	$ (1)	$ 32
Trust for Final Capping Closure Post Closure or Environmental Remediation Obligations [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Fair value of trusts for which company is sole beneficiary				91		91		$ 129
Carrying value of trusts for which company is not the sole beneficiary				99		99		113
Investment in Refined Coal Facility [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash payment to acquire equity method investment	$ 48
Investment balance				30		30		32
Low-Income Housing Properties [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash payment to acquire equity method investment		$ 6
Investment balance				87		87		104
Consideration for investment		221
Consideration for investment, notes payable		$ 215
Equity method investments debt balance				$ 86		$ 86		$ 104
Waste To Energy LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests					$ 8		$ 29
Waste To Energy LLC [Member] | Waste To Energy LLC 1 [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in LLC's			0.50%
Percentage of variable interest entities owned by other companies			99.50%
Waste To Energy LLC [Member] | Waste To Energy LLC II [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in LLC's			0.25%
Percentage of variable interest entities owned by other companies			99.75%

Condensed Consolidating Finan61

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 113	$ 1,307	$ 183	$ 58
Other current assets	2,286	2,334
Total current assets	2,399	3,641
Property and equipment, net	10,659	10,657
Other assets	7,344	7,114
Total assets	20,402	21,412
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	215	1,090
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	2,227	2,395
Total current liabilities	2,442	3,485
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,835	8,345
Other liabilities	3,868	3,693
Total liabilities	15,145	15,523
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	5,235	5,866
Noncontrolling interests	22	23
Total equity	5,257	5,889
Total liabilities and equity	20,402	21,412
Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Investments in and advances to affiliates	(44,103)	(41,839)
Total assets	(44,103)	(41,839)
Current liabilities:
Due to affiliates	(7,230)	(6,745)
Total liabilities	(7,230)	(6,745)
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	(36,873)	(35,094)
Total equity	(36,873)	(35,094)
Total liabilities and equity	(44,103)	(41,839)
WM [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		1,235
Other current assets	3	5
Total current assets	3	1,240
Investments in and advances to affiliates	18,241	17,312
Other assets	57	50
Total assets	18,301	18,602
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	14	957
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	59	86
Total current liabilities	73	1,043
Long-term debt, less current portion	5,856	4,958
Due to affiliates	7,112	6,703
Other liabilities	25	32
Total liabilities	13,066	12,736
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	5,235	5,866
Total equity	5,235	5,866
Total liabilities and equity	18,301	18,602
WM Holdings [Member]
Current assets:
Other current assets	6	6
Total current assets	6	6
Investments in and advances to affiliates	18,632	17,782
Other assets	29	28
Total assets	18,667	17,816
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	4	13
Total current liabilities	4	13
Long-term debt, less current portion	304	449
Due to affiliates	118	42
Total liabilities	426	504
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	18,241	17,312
Total equity	18,241	17,312
Total liabilities and equity	18,667	17,816
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	113	72	$ 183	$ 58
Other current assets	2,277	2,323
Total current assets	2,390	2,395
Property and equipment, net	10,659	10,657
Investments in and advances to affiliates	7,230	6,745
Other assets	7,258	7,036
Total assets	27,537	26,833
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	201	133
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	2,164	2,296
Total current liabilities	2,365	2,429
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,675	2,938
Other liabilities	3,843	3,661
Total liabilities	8,883	9,028
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	18,632	17,782
Noncontrolling interests	22	23
Total equity	18,654	17,805
Total liabilities and equity	$ 27,537	$ 26,833

Condensed Consolidating Finan62

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,360	$ 3,602	$ 9,715	$ 10,559
Costs and expenses	2,759	3,056	8,172	9,012
Income from operations	601	546	1,543	1,547
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(95)	(116)	(294)	(352)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(552)
Other, net	(10)	(16)	(34)	(43)
Total other income (expense)	(105)	(132)	(880)	(395)
Income (loss) before income taxes	496	414	663	1,152
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	159	133	184	412
Consolidated net income (loss)	337	281	479	740
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	11	(1)	32
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	335	270	480	708
Eliminations [Member]
Other income (expense):
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(759)	(653)	(1,900)	(1,715)
Total other income (expense)	(759)	(653)	(1,900)	(1,715)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(759)	(653)	(1,900)	(1,715)
Consolidated net income (loss)	(759)	(653)	(1,900)	(1,715)
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	(759)	(653)	(1,900)	(1,715)
WM [Member]
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(72)	(89)	(226)	(263)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(500)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	378	324	929	867
Total other income (expense)	306	235	203	604
Income (loss) before income taxes	306	235	203	604
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(29)	(35)	(277)	(104)
Consolidated net income (loss)	335	270	480	708
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	335	270	480	708
WM Holdings [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Costs and expenses				(34)
Income from operations				34
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(5)	(8)	(17)	(24)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(52)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	381	329	971	848
Total other income (expense)	376	321	902	824
Income (loss) before income taxes	376	321	902	858
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(2)	(3)	(27)	(9)
Consolidated net income (loss)	378	324	929	867
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	378	324	929	867
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,360	3,602	9,715	10,559
Costs and expenses	2,759	3,056	8,172	9,046
Income from operations	601	546	1,543	1,513
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(18)	(19)	(51)	(65)
Other, net	(10)	(16)	(34)	(43)
Total other income (expense)	(28)	(35)	(85)	(108)
Income (loss) before income taxes	573	511	1,458	1,405
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	190	171	488	525
Consolidated net income (loss)	383	340	970	880
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	11	(1)	32
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 381	$ 329	$ 971	$ 848

Condensed Consolidating Finan63

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 280	$ 223	$ 365	$ 663
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	11	(1)	32
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	278	212	366	631
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income (loss)	(759)	(653)	(1,900)	(1,715)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	(759)	(653)	(1,900)	(1,715)
WM [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income (loss)	336	271	487	708
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	336	271	487	708
WM Holdings [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income (loss)	378	324	929	867
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	378	324	929	867
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income (loss)	325	281	849	803
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	11	(1)	32
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 323	$ 270	$ 850	$ 771

Condensed Consolidating Finan64

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 337	$ 281	$ 479	$ 740
Other adjustments			1,493	1,071
Net cash provided by operating activities			1,972	1,811
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(473)	(32)
Capital expenditures			(864)	(781)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)			114	319
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net			42	(82)
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,181)	(576)
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings			2,060	2,364
Debt repayments			(2,421)	(2,392)
Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt			(555)
Common stock repurchases			(600)	(600)
Cash dividends			(523)	(521)
Exercise of common stock options			53	70
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other			3	(28)
Net cash used in financing activities			(1,983)	(1,107)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(2)	(3)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(1,194)	125
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			1,307	58
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	113	183	113	183
Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	(759)	(653)	(1,900)	(1,715)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	759	653	1,900	1,715
WM [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	335	270	480	708
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(378)	(324)	(929)	(867)
Other adjustments			(17)	(46)
Net cash provided by operating activities			(466)	(205)
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings			1,781	2,157
Debt repayments			(1,825)	(1,995)
Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt			(503)
Common stock repurchases			(600)	(600)
Cash dividends			(523)	(521)
Exercise of common stock options			53	70
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other			5	3
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net			843	1,091
Net cash used in financing activities			(769)	205
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(1,235)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			1,235
WM Holdings [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	378	324	929	867
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(381)	(329)	(971)	(848)
Other adjustments			(11)	(8)
Net cash provided by operating activities			(53)	11
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)				42
Net cash used in investing activities				42
Cash flows from financing activities:
Debt repayments			(145)
Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt			(52)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net			250	(53)
Net cash used in financing activities			53	(53)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	383	340	970	880
Other adjustments			1,521	1,125
Net cash provided by operating activities			2,491	2,005
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(473)	(32)
Capital expenditures			(864)	(781)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)			114	277
Net receipts from restricted trust and escrow accounts and other, net			42	(82)
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,181)	(618)
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings			279	207
Debt repayments			(451)	(397)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and other			(2)	(31)
(Increase) decrease in intercompany and investments, net			(1,093)	(1,038)
Net cash used in financing activities			(1,267)	(1,259)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(2)	(3)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			41	125
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			72	58
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 113	$ 183	$ 113	$ 183