Waste Management (WM) 10-Q 26 Jul 17 2017 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 20, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
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		440,035,810

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 32	$ 32
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $25 and $24, respectively	1,772	1,700
Other receivables	305	432
Parts and supplies	96	90
Other assets	121	122
Total current assets	2,326	2,376
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $17,572 and $17,152, respectively	11,002	10,950
Goodwill	6,248	6,215
Other intangible assets, net	573	591
Investments in unconsolidated entities	289	320
Other assets	401	407
Total assets	20,839	20,859
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	808	799
Accrued liabilities	1,075	1,085
Deferred revenues	497	493
Current portion of long-term debt	390	417
Total current liabilities	2,770	2,794
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,667	8,893
Deferred income taxes	1,487	1,482
Landfill and environmental remediation liabilities	1,712	1,675
Other liabilities	696	695
Total liabilities	15,332	15,539
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	4,828	4,850
Retained earnings	7,671	7,388
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(33)	(80)
Treasury stock at cost, 190,571,147 and 190,966,584 shares, respectively	(6,986)	(6,867)
Total Waste Management, Inc. stockholders' equity	5,486	5,297
Noncontrolling interests	21	23
Total equity	5,507	5,320
Total liabilities and equity	$ 20,839	$ 20,859

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 25	$ 24
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ 17,572	$ 17,152
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	190,571,147	190,966,584

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 3,677	$ 3,425	$ 7,117	$ 6,601
Costs and expenses:
Operating	2,290	2,130	4,456	4,123
Selling, general and administrative	353	340	743	702
Depreciation and amortization	356	340	684	652
Restructuring	1	2	2	4
Expense from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items, net	4	2	1	1
Total costs and expenses	3,004	2,814	5,886	5,482
Income from operations	673	611	1,231	1,119
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(90)	(93)	(182)	(188)
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	(13)	(16)	(45)	(23)
Other, net		(43)		(53)
Total other income (expense)	(103)	(152)	(227)	(264)
Income (loss) before income taxes	570	459	1,004	855
Income tax expense	209	173	346	313
Consolidated net income	361	286	658	542
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 362	$ 287	$ 660	$ 545
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.82	$ 0.65	$ 1.49	$ 1.22
Diluted earnings per common share	0.81	0.64	1.49	1.22
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.425	$ 0.410	$ 0.850	$ 0.820

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 361	$ 286	$ 658	$ 542
Derivative instruments, net	2	2	4	9
Available-for-sale securities, net	1	1	2	2
Foreign currency translation adjustments	30	6	40	67
Post-retirement benefit obligation, net			1
Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense	33	9	47	78
Comprehensive income	394	295	705	620
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 395	$ 296	$ 707	$ 623

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 658	$ 542
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	684	652
Deferred income tax benefit	(3)	(14)
Interest accretion on landfill liabilities	45	44
Interest accretion on and discount rate adjustments to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets	1	8
Provision for bad debts	21	18
Equity-based compensation expense	54	51
Net gain from disposal of assets	(5)	(10)
Expense from divestitures, asset impairments and other, net	29	42
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities, net of dividends	17	23
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Receivables	43	66
Other current assets	(3)	(8)
Other assets	(6)	75
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	32	44
Deferred revenues and other liabilities	(33)	(39)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,534	1,494
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(51)	(572)
Capital expenditures	(631)	(629)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested)	13	24
Other, net	(8)	(9)
Net cash used in investing activities	(677)	(1,186)
Cash flows from financing activities:
New borrowings	86	2,094
Debt repayments	(627)	(1,517)
Net commercial paper borrowings	253
Common stock repurchase program	(250)	(500)
Cash dividends	(381)	(364)
Exercise of common stock options	86	44
Tax payments associated with equity-based compensation transactions	(47)	(23)
Other, net	23	(43)
Net cash used in financing activities	(857)	(309)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	32	39
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 32	$ 39

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2017 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 5,320	$ 6	$ 4,850	$ 7,388	$ (80)	$ (6,867)	$ 23
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		630,282				(190,967)
Consolidated net income	658			660			(2)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense	47				47
Cash dividends	(381)			(381)
Equity-based compensation transactions, net	114		(16)	4		$ 126
Equity-based compensation transaction, shares						3,519
Common stock repurchase program	(250)		(5)			$ (245)
Common stock repurchase program, shares						(3,125)
Other, net	(1)		(1)
Other, net, shares						2
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 5,507	$ 6	$ 4,828	$ 7,671	$ (33)	$ (6,986)	$ 21
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2017		630,282				(190,571)

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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; its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries; and certain variable interest entities for which Waste Management, Inc. or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries as described in Note 13. Waste Management, Inc. 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, disposal, and recycling and resource recovery services. Through our subsidiaries, we are also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy We evaluate, oversee and manage the financial performance of our Solid Waste business subsidiaries through our 17 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 is included in Note 7. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of June 30, 2017 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 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 conjunction with the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K 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, long-lived asset impairments 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. Adoption of New Accounting Standards Equity-Based Compensation — 2016-09 • Excess tax benefits or deficiencies for share-based payments are now recorded as a discrete item in the period shares vest or stock options are exercised as an adjustment to income tax expense or benefit rather than additional paid-in • As of January 1, 2017, the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding was changed prospectively to no longer include excess tax benefits as assumed proceeds. This change did not have a material impact on our current year diluted earnings per share; • Cash flows related to excess tax benefits or deficiencies are included in net cash provided by operating activities rather than as a financing activity. The Company adopted this change retrospectively, which resulted in an increase to net cash provided by operating activities and a corresponding increase to net cash used in financing activities of $17 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016; • Cash paid to taxing authorities when withholding shares from an employee’s vesting or exercise of equity-based compensation awards for tax-withholding • The Company has elected to continue to estimate forfeitures rather than account for forfeitures as they occur. Goodwill Impairment Testing — 2017-04 Reclassifications When necessary, reclassifications have been made to our prior period financial information to conform to the current year presentation.

Landfill and Environmental Reme

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Landfill Environmental Remediation Total Landfill Environmental Remediation Total Current (in accrued liabilities) $ 138 $ 26 $ 164 $ 119 $ 28 $ 147 Long-term 1,493 219 1,712 1,457 218 1,675 $ 1,631 $ 245 $ 1,876 $ 1,576 $ 246 $ 1,822 The changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2017 are reflected in the table below (in millions): Landfill Environmental Remediation December 31, 2016 $ 1,576 $ 246 Obligations incurred and capitalized 33 — Obligations settled (38 ) (10 ) Interest accretion 45 2 Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions 13 7 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments 2 — June 30, 2017 $ 1,631 $ 245 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 13 for additional information related to these trusts.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 June 30, 2017: June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 $2.25 billion revolving credit facility, maturing July 2020 (weighted average interest rate of 1.9% as of December 31, 2016) $ — $ 426 Commercial paper program (weighted average interest rate of 1.4% as of June 30, 2017) 253 — Other letter of credit facilities, maturing through December 2018 — — Canadian term loan and revolving credit facility, maturing March 2019 (weighted average effective interest rate of 2.0% as of June 30, 2017 and 2.1% as of December 31, 2016) 171 239 Senior notes maturing through 2045, interest rates ranging from 2.4% to 7.75% (weighted average interest rate of 4.6% as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016) 6,033 6,033 Tax-exempt 2,305 2,304 Capital leases and other, maturing through 2055, interest rates up to 12% 295 308 9,057 9,310 Current portion of long-term debt 390 417 $ 8,667 $ 8,893 Debt Classification As of June 30, 2017, the current portion of our long-term debt balance of $390 million includes (i) $184 million of short-term borrowings under our commercial paper program and (ii) $206 million of other debt with scheduled maturities within the next 12 months, including $148 million of tax-exempt As of June 30, 2017, we have classified (i) $590 million of 6.1% senior notes that mature in March 2018 and (ii) $69 million of short-term borrowings under our commercial paper program as long-term because we have the intent and ability to refinance these borrowings on a long-term basis as supported by the forecasted available capacity under our long-term U.S. revolving credit facility (“$2.25 billion revolving credit facility”), as discussed below. In addition, we have $561 million of tax-exempt tax-exempt tax-exempt tax-exempt Access to and Utilization of Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper Program $2.25 Billion Revolving Credit Facility Commercial Paper Program Canadian Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility non-revolving Other Letter of Credit Facilities Debt Borrowings and Repayments $2.25 Billion Revolving Credit Facility Canadian Term Loan Cross-Currency Swaps In March 2016, our Canadian subsidiaries repaid C$370 million of intercompany debt to WM Holdings with proceeds from our Canadian term loan. Concurrent with the repayment of the intercompany debt, we terminated the related cross-currency swaps and received $67 million in cash. The cash received from our termination of these swaps was classified as a change in other current assets and other assets within net cash provided by operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In addition, we recognized $8 million of expense associated with the termination of these swaps during the three months ended March 31, 2016, which was included in other, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	4. Income Taxes Our effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was 36.6% and 34.4%, respectively, compared with 37.6% and 36.5%, respectively, 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 months ended June 30, 2017 was primarily due to the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes offset, in part, by the favorable impact of federal tax credits. The difference between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was primarily due to the favorable impact of excess tax benefits related to equity-based compensation and federal tax credits offset, in part, by the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes and the tax implications of impairments. The difference between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was primarily due to the unfavorable tax implications of impairments and the impact of state and local income taxes offset, in part, by the favorable impact of federal tax credits and tax audit settlements. Equity-Based Compensation 2016-09. Investments Qualifying for Federal Tax Credits low-income pro-rata low-income We account for our investments in these entities using the equity method of accounting, recognizing our share of each entity’s results of operations and other reductions in the value of our investments in equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities, within our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized $9 million and $15 million of net losses and a reduction in our income tax expense of $14 million and $25 million, respectively, primarily because of tax credits realized from these investments. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized $9 million and $15 million of net losses and a reduction in our income tax expense of $14 million and $25 million, respectively, primarily because of tax credits realized from these investments. Interest expense associated with our investment in low-income

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	5. Earnings Per Share Basic and diluted earnings per share were computed using the following common share data (shares in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Number of common shares outstanding at end of period 439.7 441.7 439.7 441.7 Effect of using weighted average common shares outstanding 2.2 2.3 1.9 3.3 Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 441.9 444.0 441.6 445.0 Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and other contingently issuable shares(a) 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.5 Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 444.4 446.7 444.4 447.5 Potentially issuable shares 8.4 10.1 8.4 10.1 Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 2.3 0.5 2.3 0.8 (a) As of January 1, 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	6. Commitments and Contingencies Financial Instruments tax-exempt Management does not expect that any claims against or draws on these instruments would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. 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 general liability, automobile 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 or internal estimates. The accruals for these liabilities could be revised if future occurrences or loss development significantly differ from such valuations and estimates. 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 have also guaranteed the obligations and certain performance requirements of, and provided indemnification to, third parties as of June 30, 2017 in connection with both consolidated and unconsolidated entities, including agreements guaranteeing certain market value losses for approximately 850 homeowners’ properties adjacent to or near 22 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 financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In December 2014, we sold our Wheelabrator business, which provides waste-to-energy waste-to-energy non-compliance Environmental Matters clean-up. 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 environmental impact investigation. In these cases, we use the amount within the range that is 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 $115 million higher than the $245 million recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017. 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 our balance sheet and income from operations. These adjustments could be material in any given period. As of June 30, 2017, we have been notified by the government that we are a PRP in connection with 76 locations listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA’s”) Superfund National Priorities List (“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. In September 2016, the EPA announced a proposed remediation plan for the San Jacinto waste pits in Harris County, Texas, naming McGinnes Industrial Maintenance Corporation (“MIMC”), a subsidiary of WM, as a PRP. MIMC operated the waste pits from 1965 to 1966. In 1998, WM acquired the stock of the parent entity of MIMC. The remedy and remedial design plan for the site are not yet final. A notice and comment period with respect to the remedy closed on January 12, 2017. MIMC filed comments, detailing its disagreement with the proposed remedy put forth by the EPA and is continuing to focus on a solution that it believes best protects the environment and public health. MIMC’s ultimate liability could be materially different from current estimates. We remain an active participant in the EPA’s process established to evaluate and determine the appropriate remedy and remedial design plan for this site. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our recorded liability for MIMC’s estimated share of the EPA’s proposed remedy was $45 million and $46 million, respectively. Item 103 of the SEC’s Regulation S-K On January 10, 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) solid waste program advised us that it intends to seek civil penalties against the Grows North and Tullytown Landfills (“Grows/Tullytown”), located in southeast Pennsylvania and owned by indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of WM, related to operational issues, including litter and leachate discharges. Additionally, we received notice on March 15, 2017 that the DEP clean water program also intends to seek civil penalties related to similar underlying events and operational issues at Grows/Tullytown. Our internal review of these matters is in process. Waste Management of Hawaii, Inc. (“WMHI”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of WM, may face civil claims from the Hawaii Department of Health and/or the EPA based upon 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. On July 10, 2013, the EPA issued a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) to Waste Management of Wisconsin, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of WM, alleging violations of the Resource Conservation Recovery Act concerning acceptance of certain waste that was not permitted to be disposed of at the Metro Recycling & Disposal Facility in Franklin, Wisconsin. The parties are exchanging information and working to resolve the NOV. 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 Litigation WM’s charter and bylaws provide that WM shall indemnify 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 or was 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 permitted to have such fees advanced under Delaware law. Additionally, the Company has direct contractual obligations to provide indemnification to each of the members of WM’s Board of Directors and each of WM’s executive officers. 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 We do not believe that any future liability relating to our past or current participation in, or withdrawals from, the Multiemployer Pension Plans to which we contribute will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or liquidity. However, liabilities for future 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 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Related Information	7. Segment and Related Information We evaluate, oversee and manage the financial performance of our Solid Waste business subsidiaries through our 17 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 geographies 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 are 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. Tier 1 is comprised of our operations across the Southern United States, with the exception of Southern California and the Florida peninsula, and also includes the New England states, the tri-state Mid-Atlantic Mid-Atlantic 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 from Operations Three Months Ended June 30: 2017 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 1,417 $ (258 ) $ 1,159 $ 395 Tier 2 916 (169 ) 747 190 Tier 3 1,426 (256 ) 1,170 248 Solid Waste 3,759 (683 ) 3,076 833 Other 657 (56 ) 601 (18 ) 4,416 (739 ) 3,677 815 Corporate and Other — — — (142 ) Total $ 4,416 $ (739 ) $ 3,677 $ 673 2016 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 1,316 $ (229 ) $ 1,087 $ 362 Tier 2 856 (158 ) 698 157 Tier 3 1,347 (233 ) 1,114 235 Solid Waste 3,519 (620 ) 2,899 754 Other 572 (46 ) 526 (20 ) 4,091 (666 ) 3,425 734 Corporate and Other — — — (123 ) Total $ 4,091 $ (666 ) $ 3,425 $ 611 Gross Operating Revenues Intercompany Operating Revenues Net Operating Revenues Income from Operations Six Months Ended June 30: 2017 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 2,757 $ (496 ) $ 2,261 $ 761 Tier 2 1,758 (322 ) 1,436 347 Tier 3 2,753 (489 ) 2,264 475 Solid Waste 7,268 (1,307 ) 5,961 1,583 Other 1,260 (104 ) 1,156 (50 ) 8,528 (1,411 ) 7,117 1,533 Corporate and Other — — — (302 ) Total $ 8,528 $ (1,411 ) $ 7,117 $ 1,231 2016 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 2,557 $ (441 ) $ 2,116 $ 696 Tier 2 1,637 (300 ) 1,337 302 Tier 3 2,607 (445 ) 2,162 443 Solid Waste 6,801 (1,186 ) 5,615 1,441 Other 1,072 (86 ) 986 (56 ) 7,873 (1,272 ) 6,601 1,385 Corporate and Other — — — (266 ) Total $ 7,873 $ (1,272 ) $ 6,601 $ 1,119 Fluctuations in our operating results may be caused by many factors, including period-to-period Service disruptions caused by severe storms, extended periods of inclement weather or climate extremes resulting from climate change can significantly affect the operating results of the Areas affected. 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 United States, can increase our revenues in the Areas affected. While weather conditions and other event driven special projects can boost revenues through additional work for a limited time, as a result of significant start-up

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	8. Acquisitions Southern Waste Systems/Sun Recyclin (“SWS”)

Asset Impairments and Unusual I

Asset Impairments and Unusual Items	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract]
Asset Impairments and Unusual Items	9. Asset Impairments and Unusual Items Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities During the six months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized $28 million of charges to write down equity method investments in waste diversion technology companies to their estimated fair values. Other, net During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized $41 million of impairments to write down minority-owned investments in waste diversion technology companies to their estimated fair values.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity, are as follows (in millions, with amounts in parentheses representing increases to accumulated other comprehensive loss): Derivative Instruments Available- for-Sale Securities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Post- Retirement Benefit Obligation Total Balance, December 31, 2016 $ (40 ) $ 13 $ (47 ) $ (6 ) $ (80 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax expense of $0, $1, $0 and $0, respectively — 2 40 1 43 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $2, $0, $0 and $0, respectively 4 — — — 4 Net current period other comprehensive income 4 2 40 1 47 Balance, June 30, 2017 $ (36 ) $ 15 $ (7 ) $ (5 ) $ (33 ) There have been no derivatives outstanding subsequent to March 31, 2016. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, other comprehensive loss before reclassifications associated with the effective portion of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges for foreign currency derivatives was $7 million, net of tax benefit of $4 million. The significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with our cash flow hedges are as follows (in millions, with amounts in parentheses representing debits to the statement of operations classification): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Statement of Operations Classification 2017 2016 2017 2016 Forward-starting interest rate swaps $ (3 ) $ (3 ) $ (6 ) $ (6 ) Interest expense, net Foreign currency derivatives — — — (20 ) Other, net (3 ) (3 ) (6 ) (26 ) Total before tax 1 1 2 10 Tax benefit Total reclassifications for the period $ (2 ) $ (2 ) $ (4 ) $ (16 ) Net of tax

Common Stock Repurchase Program

Common Stock Repurchase Program	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock Repurchase Program	11. Common Stock Repurchase Program Our share repurchases have been authorized by our Board of Directors. In November 2016, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement to repurchase $225 million of our common stock. At the beginning of the repurchase period, we delivered $225 million in cash and received 2.8 million shares based on a stock price of $63.41. The ASR agreement completed in February 2017, at which time we received 0.4 million additional shares based on a final weighted average per share purchase price during the repurchase period of $69.43. In June 2017, we entered into an ASR agreement to repurchase $250 million of our common stock. At the beginning of the repurchase period, we delivered $250 million in cash and received 2.7 million shares based on a stock price of $73.46. The final number of shares to be repurchased and the final average price per share under the ASR agreement will depend on the volume-weighted average price of our stock, less a discount, during the term of the agreement. Purchases under the ASR agreement are expected to be completed in August 2017. We account for ASR agreements as two separate transactions: (i) as shares of reacquired common stock for the shares delivered to us upon effectiveness of the ASR agreement and (ii) as a forward contract indexed to our own common stock for the undelivered shares. The initial delivery of shares is included in treasury stock at cost and results 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 common stock meet the criteria for equity classification, and these amounts are initially recorded in additional paid-in As of June 30, 2017, the Company has authorization for $500 million of future share repurchases. Any future share repurchases pursuant to the authorization of our Board of Directors will be made at the discretion of management and will depend on factors similar to those considered by the Board of Directors in making dividend declarations, including our net earnings, financial condition and cash required for future business plans.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	12. 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 as of June 30, 2017 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 $ 37 $ 37 $ — $ — Available-for-sale 52 — 52 — Fixed-income securities 41 — 41 — Redeemable preferred stock 54 — — 54 Total assets $ 184 $ 37 $ 93 $ 54 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2016 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 $ 35 $ 35 $ — $ — Available-for-sale 46 — 46 — Fixed-income securities 39 — 39 — Redeemable preferred stock 54 — — 54 Total assets $ 174 $ 35 $ 85 $ 54 (a) When available, 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. 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 as of December 31, 2016. Fair Value of Debt As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying value of our debt was approximately $9.1 billion and $9.3 billion, respectively. The estimated fair value of our debt was approximately $9.7 billion as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The fair value of our fixed-rate debt is estimated by using a discounted cash flow approach and current market rates for similar types of instruments. The carrying value of our variable-rate debt approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rates. 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 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	13. Variable Interest Entities Following is a description of our financial interests in both unconsolidated and consolidated variable interest entities that we consider significant: Low-Income We have investments in entities established to manage low-income pro-rata low-income Trust Funds 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. These trust funds are established such that we are either the sole beneficiary of these restricted balances or we share benefit with 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, as described further below. As the party with primary responsibility to fund the related final capping, closure, post-closure or environmental remediation activities for these trust funds, we are exposed to risk of loss if there are declines in the fair value of the assets of the trust. We currently expect the trust funds to continue to meet the statutory requirements for which they were established. Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities available-for-sale Consolidated Variable Interest Entities available-for-sale

Condensed Consolidating Financi

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	14. 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 June 30, 2017 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 32 $ — $ 32 Other current assets 3 5 2,286 — 2,294 3 5 2,318 — 2,326 Property and equipment, net — — 11,002 — 11,002 Investments in affiliates 20,673 21,127 — (41,800 ) — Advances to affiliates — — 13,791 (13,791 ) — Other assets 13 37 7,461 — 7,511 Total assets $ 20,689 $ 21,169 $ 34,572 $ (55,591 ) $ 20,839 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 250 $ — $ 140 $ — $ 390 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 77 9 2,294 — 2,380 327 9 2,434 — 2,770 Long-term debt, less current portion 6,075 304 2,288 — 8,667 Due to affiliates 14,088 184 5,299 (19,571 ) — Other liabilities 12 — 3,883 — 3,895 Total liabilities 20,502 497 13,904 (19,571 ) 15,332 Equity: Stockholders’ equity 5,486 20,672 21,128 (41,800 ) 5,486 Advances to affiliates (5,299 ) — (481 ) 5,780 — Noncontrolling interests — — 21 — 21 187 20,672 20,668 (36,020 ) 5,507 Total liabilities and equity $ 20,689 $ 21,169 $ 34,572 $ (55,591 ) $ 20,839 December 31, 2016 WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 32 $ — $ 32 Other current assets 5 5 2,334 — 2,344 5 5 2,366 — 2,376 Property and equipment, net — — 10,950 — 10,950 Investments in affiliates 19,924 20,331 — (40,255 ) — Advances to affiliates — — 13,000 (13,000 ) — Other assets 14 30 7,489 — 7,533 Total assets $ 19,943 $ 20,366 $ 33,805 $ (53,255 ) $ 20,859 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 269 $ — $ 148 $ — $ 417 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 81 9 2,287 — 2,377 350 9 2,435 — 2,794 Long-term debt, less current portion 6,229 304 2,360 — 8,893 Due to affiliates 13,350 128 5,299 (18,777 ) — Other liabilities 16 — 3,836 — 3,852 Total liabilities 19,945 441 13,930 (18,777 ) 15,539 Equity: Stockholders’ equity 5,297 19,925 20,330 (40,255 ) 5,297 Advances to affiliates (5,299 ) — (478 ) 5,777 — Noncontrolling interests — — 23 — 23 (2 ) 19,925 19,875 (34,478 ) 5,320 Total liabilities and equity $ 19,943 $ 20,366 $ 33,805 $ (53,255 ) $ 20,859 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 3,677 $ — $ 3,677 Costs and expenses — — 3,004 — 3,004 Income from operations — — 673 — 673 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (74 ) (5 ) (11 ) — (90 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense 406 409 — (815 ) — Other, net — — (13 ) — (13 ) 332 404 (24 ) (815 ) (103 ) Income before income taxes 332 404 649 (815 ) 570 Income tax expense (benefit) (30 ) (2 ) 241 — 209 Consolidated net income 362 406 408 (815 ) 361 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 362 $ 406 $ 409 $ (815 ) $ 362 Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 3,425 $ — $ 3,425 Costs and expenses — — 2,814 — 2,814 Income from operations — — 611 — 611 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (76 ) (5 ) (12 ) — (93 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense 333 336 — (669 ) — Other, net — — (59 ) — (59 ) 257 331 (71 ) (669 ) (152 ) Income before income taxes 257 331 540 (669 ) 459 Income tax expense (benefit) (30 ) (2 ) 205 — 173 Consolidated net income 287 333 335 (669 ) 286 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 287 $ 333 $ 336 $ (669 ) $ 287 Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 7,117 $ — $ 7,117 Costs and expenses — — 5,886 — 5,886 Income from operations — — 1,231 — 1,231 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (148 ) (10 ) (24 ) — (182 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense 749 755 — (1,504 ) — Other, net — — (45 ) — (45 ) 601 745 (69 ) (1,504 ) (227 ) Income before income taxes 601 745 1,162 (1,504 ) 1,004 Income tax expense (benefit) (59 ) (4 ) 409 — 346 Consolidated net income 660 749 753 (1,504 ) 658 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (2 ) — (2 ) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 660 $ 749 $ 755 $ (1,504 ) $ 660 Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 6,601 $ — $ 6,601 Costs and expenses — — 5,482 — 5,482 Income from operations — — 1,119 — 1,119 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (150 ) (10 ) (28 ) — (188 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense 637 643 — (1,280 ) — Other, net (1 ) — (75 ) — (76 ) 486 633 (103 ) (1,280 ) (264 ) Income before income taxes 486 633 1,016 (1,280 ) 855 Income tax expense (benefit) (59 ) (4 ) 376 — 313 Consolidated net income 545 637 640 (1,280 ) 542 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3 ) — (3 ) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 545 $ 637 $ 643 $ (1,280 ) $ 545 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended June 30: 2017 Comprehensive income $ 364 $ 406 $ 439 $ (815 ) $ 394 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 364 $ 406 $ 440 $ (815 ) $ 395 2016 Comprehensive income $ 289 $ 333 $ 342 $ (669 ) $ 295 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 289 $ 333 $ 343 $ (669 ) $ 296 WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Six Months Ended June 30: 2017 Comprehensive income $ 664 $ 749 $ 796 $ (1,504 ) $ 705 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (2 ) — (2 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 664 $ 749 $ 798 $ (1,504 ) $ 707 2016 Comprehensive income $ 549 $ 637 $ 714 $ (1,280 ) $ 620 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3 ) — (3 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 549 $ 637 $ 717 $ (1,280 ) $ 623 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited) WM(a) WM Holdings(a) Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries(a) Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities $ — $ — $ 1,534 $ — $ 1,534 Investing activities — — (677 ) — (677 ) Financing activities — — (857 ) — (857 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — — — — Intercompany activity — — — — — Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents — — — — — Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period — — 32 — 32 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ — $ — $ 32 $ — $ 32 Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Unaudited) WM(a) WM Holdings(a) Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries(a) Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities $ — $ — $ 1,494 $ — $ 1,494 Investing activities — — (1,186 ) — (1,186 ) Financing activities — — (309 ) — (309 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — 1 — 1 Intercompany activity — — — — — Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents — — — — — Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period — — 39 — 39 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ — $ — $ 39 $ — $ 39 (a) Cash receipts and payments of WM and WM Holdings are transacted by Non-Guarantor Non-Guarantor

New Accounting Standards Pendin

New Accounting Standards Pending Adoption	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
New Accounting Standards Pending Adoption	15. New Accounting Standards Pending Adoption Income Taxes 2016-16 Statement of Cash Flows — 2016-15 2016-18 Financial Instrument Credit Losses — 2016-13 Leases 2016-02 Financial Instruments 2016-01 Revenue Recognition 2014-09 To assess the impact of the standard, we utilized internal resources to lead the implementation effort and supplemented them with external resources. Our internal resources read the amended guidance, attended trainings and consulted with other accounting professionals to assist with interpretation of the amended guidance. Surveys were sent to and returned by all operating segments to assess the potential impact of the amended guidance and to tailor specific procedures to evaluate the potential impact. Based on the results of these surveys, we judgmentally selected a sample of contracts based on size and specifically identified contract traits that could be accounted for differently under the amended guidance. We also selected a representative sample of contracts to corroborate the survey results. We have completed our preliminary review and analysis of all contracts selected for testing and we are in the process of performing additional analysis on certain contractual provisions, including provisions that could impact the classification of certain revenue streams and costs that are currently reported on a gross basis. Based on our work to date, we believe we have identified all material contract types and costs that may be impacted by this amended guidance. We expect to quantify and disclose the expected impact, if any, of adopting this amended guidance in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q As noted above, we are still evaluating the possible impacts on our consolidated financial statements, including (i) potential changes in the classification of certain revenue streams and costs currently reported on a gross basis (e.g., franchise fees paid to municipalities); (ii) the amount of sales incentives that will be capitalized and (iii) additional disclosure requirements.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The financial statements presented in this report represent the consolidation of Waste Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation; its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries; and certain variable interest entities for which Waste Management, Inc. or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries as described in Note 13. Waste Management, Inc. 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, disposal, and recycling and resource recovery services. Through our subsidiaries, we are also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy We evaluate, oversee and manage the financial performance of our Solid Waste business subsidiaries through our 17 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 is included in Note 7. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of June 30, 2017 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 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 conjunction with the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K 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, long-lived asset impairments 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.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards	Adoption of New Accounting Standards Equity-Based Compensation — 2016-09 • Excess tax benefits or deficiencies for share-based payments are now recorded as a discrete item in the period shares vest or stock options are exercised as an adjustment to income tax expense or benefit rather than additional paid-in • As of January 1, 2017, the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding was changed prospectively to no longer include excess tax benefits as assumed proceeds. This change did not have a material impact on our current year diluted earnings per share; • Cash flows related to excess tax benefits or deficiencies are included in net cash provided by operating activities rather than as a financing activity. The Company adopted this change retrospectively, which resulted in an increase to net cash provided by operating activities and a corresponding increase to net cash used in financing activities of $17 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016; • Cash paid to taxing authorities when withholding shares from an employee’s vesting or exercise of equity-based compensation awards for tax-withholding • The Company has elected to continue to estimate forfeitures rather than account for forfeitures as they occur. Goodwill Impairment Testing — 2017-04
Reclassifications	Reclassifications When necessary, reclassifications have been made to our prior period financial information to conform to the current year presentation.

Landfill and Environmental Re24

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Landfill Environmental Remediation Total Landfill Environmental Remediation Total Current (in accrued liabilities) $ 138 $ 26 $ 164 $ 119 $ 28 $ 147 Long-term 1,493 219 1,712 1,457 218 1,675 $ 1,631 $ 245 $ 1,876 $ 1,576 $ 246 $ 1,822
Changes to Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities	The changes to landfill and environmental remediation liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2017 are reflected in the table below (in millions): Landfill Environmental Remediation December 31, 2016 $ 1,576 $ 246 Obligations incurred and capitalized 33 — Obligations settled (38 ) (10 ) Interest accretion 45 2 Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions 13 7 Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments 2 — June 30, 2017 $ 1,631 $ 245

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 June 30, 2017: June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 $2.25 billion revolving credit facility, maturing July 2020 (weighted average interest rate of 1.9% as of December 31, 2016) $ — $ 426 Commercial paper program (weighted average interest rate of 1.4% as of June 30, 2017) 253 — Other letter of credit facilities, maturing through December 2018 — — Canadian term loan and revolving credit facility, maturing March 2019 (weighted average effective interest rate of 2.0% as of June 30, 2017 and 2.1% as of December 31, 2016) 171 239 Senior notes maturing through 2045, interest rates ranging from 2.4% to 7.75% (weighted average interest rate of 4.6% as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016) 6,033 6,033 Tax-exempt 2,305 2,304 Capital leases and other, maturing through 2055, interest rates up to 12% 295 308 9,057 9,310 Current portion of long-term debt 390 417 $ 8,667 $ 8,893

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Number of common shares outstanding at end of period 439.7 441.7 439.7 441.7 Effect of using weighted average common shares outstanding 2.2 2.3 1.9 3.3 Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 441.9 444.0 441.6 445.0 Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and other contingently issuable shares(a) 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.5 Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 444.4 446.7 444.4 447.5 Potentially issuable shares 8.4 10.1 8.4 10.1 Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 2.3 0.5 2.3 0.8 (a) As of January 1, 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09

Segment and Related Informati27

Segment and Related Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 from Operations Three Months Ended June 30: 2017 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 1,417 $ (258 ) $ 1,159 $ 395 Tier 2 916 (169 ) 747 190 Tier 3 1,426 (256 ) 1,170 248 Solid Waste 3,759 (683 ) 3,076 833 Other 657 (56 ) 601 (18 ) 4,416 (739 ) 3,677 815 Corporate and Other — — — (142 ) Total $ 4,416 $ (739 ) $ 3,677 $ 673 2016 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 1,316 $ (229 ) $ 1,087 $ 362 Tier 2 856 (158 ) 698 157 Tier 3 1,347 (233 ) 1,114 235 Solid Waste 3,519 (620 ) 2,899 754 Other 572 (46 ) 526 (20 ) 4,091 (666 ) 3,425 734 Corporate and Other — — — (123 ) Total $ 4,091 $ (666 ) $ 3,425 $ 611 Gross Operating Revenues Intercompany Operating Revenues Net Operating Revenues Income from Operations Six Months Ended June 30: 2017 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 2,757 $ (496 ) $ 2,261 $ 761 Tier 2 1,758 (322 ) 1,436 347 Tier 3 2,753 (489 ) 2,264 475 Solid Waste 7,268 (1,307 ) 5,961 1,583 Other 1,260 (104 ) 1,156 (50 ) 8,528 (1,411 ) 7,117 1,533 Corporate and Other — — — (302 ) Total $ 8,528 $ (1,411 ) $ 7,117 $ 1,231 2016 Solid Waste: Tier 1 $ 2,557 $ (441 ) $ 2,116 $ 696 Tier 2 1,637 (300 ) 1,337 302 Tier 3 2,607 (445 ) 2,162 443 Solid Waste 6,801 (1,186 ) 5,615 1,441 Other 1,072 (86 ) 986 (56 ) 7,873 (1,272 ) 6,601 1,385 Corporate and Other — — — (266 ) Total $ 7,873 $ (1,272 ) $ 6,601 $ 1,119

Accumulated Other Comprehensi28

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit, which is included as a component of Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity, are as follows (in millions, with amounts in parentheses representing increases to accumulated other comprehensive loss): Derivative Instruments Available- for-Sale Securities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Post- Retirement Benefit Obligation Total Balance, December 31, 2016 $ (40 ) $ 13 $ (47 ) $ (6 ) $ (80 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax expense of $0, $1, $0 and $0, respectively — 2 40 1 43 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax benefit of $2, $0, $0 and $0, respectively 4 — — — 4 Net current period other comprehensive income 4 2 40 1 47 Balance, June 30, 2017 $ (36 ) $ 15 $ (7 ) $ (5 ) $ (33 )
Reclassification of Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Associated with Cash Flow Hedges	The significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with our cash flow hedges are as follows (in millions, with amounts in parentheses representing debits to the statement of operations classification): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Statement of Operations Classification 2017 2016 2017 2016 Forward-starting interest rate swaps $ (3 ) $ (3 ) $ (6 ) $ (6 ) Interest expense, net Foreign currency derivatives — — — (20 ) Other, net (3 ) (3 ) (6 ) (26 ) Total before tax 1 1 2 10 Tax benefit Total reclassifications for the period $ (2 ) $ (2 ) $ (4 ) $ (16 ) Net of tax

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 as of June 30, 2017 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 $ 37 $ 37 $ — $ — Available-for-sale 52 — 52 — Fixed-income securities 41 — 41 — Redeemable preferred stock 54 — — 54 Total assets $ 184 $ 37 $ 93 $ 54 Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2016 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 $ 35 $ 35 $ — $ — Available-for-sale 46 — 46 — Fixed-income securities 39 — 39 — Redeemable preferred stock 54 — — 54 Total assets $ 174 $ 35 $ 85 $ 54 (a) When available, 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. 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 as of December 31, 2016.

Condensed Consolidating Finan30

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS June 30, 2017 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 32 $ — $ 32 Other current assets 3 5 2,286 — 2,294 3 5 2,318 — 2,326 Property and equipment, net — — 11,002 — 11,002 Investments in affiliates 20,673 21,127 — (41,800 ) — Advances to affiliates — — 13,791 (13,791 ) — Other assets 13 37 7,461 — 7,511 Total assets $ 20,689 $ 21,169 $ 34,572 $ (55,591 ) $ 20,839 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 250 $ — $ 140 $ — $ 390 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 77 9 2,294 — 2,380 327 9 2,434 — 2,770 Long-term debt, less current portion 6,075 304 2,288 — 8,667 Due to affiliates 14,088 184 5,299 (19,571 ) — Other liabilities 12 — 3,883 — 3,895 Total liabilities 20,502 497 13,904 (19,571 ) 15,332 Equity: Stockholders’ equity 5,486 20,672 21,128 (41,800 ) 5,486 Advances to affiliates (5,299 ) — (481 ) 5,780 — Noncontrolling interests — — 21 — 21 187 20,672 20,668 (36,020 ) 5,507 Total liabilities and equity $ 20,689 $ 21,169 $ 34,572 $ (55,591 ) $ 20,839 December 31, 2016 WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 32 $ — $ 32 Other current assets 5 5 2,334 — 2,344 5 5 2,366 — 2,376 Property and equipment, net — — 10,950 — 10,950 Investments in affiliates 19,924 20,331 — (40,255 ) — Advances to affiliates — — 13,000 (13,000 ) — Other assets 14 30 7,489 — 7,533 Total assets $ 19,943 $ 20,366 $ 33,805 $ (53,255 ) $ 20,859 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Current portion of long-term debt $ 269 $ — $ 148 $ — $ 417 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 81 9 2,287 — 2,377 350 9 2,435 — 2,794 Long-term debt, less current portion 6,229 304 2,360 — 8,893 Due to affiliates 13,350 128 5,299 (18,777 ) — Other liabilities 16 — 3,836 — 3,852 Total liabilities 19,945 441 13,930 (18,777 ) 15,539 Equity: Stockholders’ equity 5,297 19,925 20,330 (40,255 ) 5,297 Advances to affiliates (5,299 ) — (478 ) 5,777 — Noncontrolling interests — — 23 — 23 (2 ) 19,925 19,875 (34,478 ) 5,320 Total liabilities and equity $ 19,943 $ 20,366 $ 33,805 $ (53,255 ) $ 20,859
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 3,677 $ — $ 3,677 Costs and expenses — — 3,004 — 3,004 Income from operations — — 673 — 673 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (74 ) (5 ) (11 ) — (90 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense 406 409 — (815 ) — Other, net — — (13 ) — (13 ) 332 404 (24 ) (815 ) (103 ) Income before income taxes 332 404 649 (815 ) 570 Income tax expense (benefit) (30 ) (2 ) 241 — 209 Consolidated net income 362 406 408 (815 ) 361 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 362 $ 406 $ 409 $ (815 ) $ 362 Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 3,425 $ — $ 3,425 Costs and expenses — — 2,814 — 2,814 Income from operations — — 611 — 611 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (76 ) (5 ) (12 ) — (93 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense 333 336 — (669 ) — Other, net — — (59 ) — (59 ) 257 331 (71 ) (669 ) (152 ) Income before income taxes 257 331 540 (669 ) 459 Income tax expense (benefit) (30 ) (2 ) 205 — 173 Consolidated net income 287 333 335 (669 ) 286 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 287 $ 333 $ 336 $ (669 ) $ 287 Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 7,117 $ — $ 7,117 Costs and expenses — — 5,886 — 5,886 Income from operations — — 1,231 — 1,231 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (148 ) (10 ) (24 ) — (182 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense 749 755 — (1,504 ) — Other, net — — (45 ) — (45 ) 601 745 (69 ) (1,504 ) (227 ) Income before income taxes 601 745 1,162 (1,504 ) 1,004 Income tax expense (benefit) (59 ) (4 ) 409 — 346 Consolidated net income 660 749 753 (1,504 ) 658 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (2 ) — (2 ) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 660 $ 749 $ 755 $ (1,504 ) $ 660 Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Operating revenues $ — $ — $ 6,601 $ — $ 6,601 Costs and expenses — — 5,482 — 5,482 Income from operations — — 1,119 — 1,119 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (150 ) (10 ) (28 ) — (188 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense 637 643 — (1,280 ) — Other, net (1 ) — (75 ) — (76 ) 486 633 (103 ) (1,280 ) (264 ) Income before income taxes 486 633 1,016 (1,280 ) 855 Income tax expense (benefit) (59 ) (4 ) 376 — 313 Consolidated net income 545 637 640 (1,280 ) 542 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3 ) — (3 ) Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 545 $ 637 $ 643 $ (1,280 ) $ 545
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended June 30: 2017 Comprehensive income $ 364 $ 406 $ 439 $ (815 ) $ 394 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 364 $ 406 $ 440 $ (815 ) $ 395 2016 Comprehensive income $ 289 $ 333 $ 342 $ (669 ) $ 295 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (1 ) — (1 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 289 $ 333 $ 343 $ (669 ) $ 296 WM WM Holdings Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Six Months Ended June 30: 2017 Comprehensive income $ 664 $ 749 $ 796 $ (1,504 ) $ 705 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (2 ) — (2 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 664 $ 749 $ 798 $ (1,504 ) $ 707 2016 Comprehensive income $ 549 $ 637 $ 714 $ (1,280 ) $ 620 Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — (3 ) — (3 ) Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. $ 549 $ 637 $ 717 $ (1,280 ) $ 623
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited) WM(a) WM Holdings(a) Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries(a) Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities $ — $ — $ 1,534 $ — $ 1,534 Investing activities — — (677 ) — (677 ) Financing activities — — (857 ) — (857 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — — — — Intercompany activity — — — — — Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents — — — — — Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period — — 32 — 32 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ — $ — $ 32 $ — $ 32 Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Unaudited) WM(a) WM Holdings(a) Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries(a) Eliminations Consolidated Cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities $ — $ — $ 1,494 $ — $ 1,494 Investing activities — — (1,186 ) — (1,186 ) Financing activities — — (309 ) — (309 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents — — 1 — 1 Intercompany activity — — — — — Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents — — — — — Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period — — 39 — 39 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ — $ — $ 39 $ — $ 39 (a) Cash receipts and payments of WM and WM Holdings are transacted by Non-Guarantor Non-Guarantor

Basis of Presentation - Additio

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)Areas	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Increase to net cash provided by operating activities	$ 1,534	$ 1,494
Increase to net cash used in financing activities	$ 857	309
Solid Waste [Member]
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of areas | Areas	17
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member] | Excess Tax Benefits Or Deficiencies [Member]
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Increase to net cash provided by operating activities		17
Increase to net cash used in financing activities		17
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member] | Tax Payments Associated with Equity Based Compensation Transactions [Member]
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Increase to net cash provided by operating activities		23
Increase to net cash used in financing activities		$ 23

Landfill and Environmental Re32

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities - Liabilities for Landfill and Environmental Remediation Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Total, Environmental Remediation	$ 245
Current (in accrued liabilities)	164	$ 147
Long-term	1,712	1,675
Total	1,876	1,822
Landfill [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Current (in accrued liabilities), Landfill	138	119
Long-term, Landfill	1,493	1,457
Total, Landfill	1,631	1,576
Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Current (in accrued liabilities), Environmental Remediation	26	28
Long-term, Environmental Remediation	219	218
Total, Environmental Remediation	$ 245	$ 246

Landfill and Environmental Re33

Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities - Changes to Landfill and Environmental Remediation Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items]
Interest accretion	$ 45	$ 44
Ending balance, environmental remediation	245
Landfill [Member]
Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items]
Beginning balance, landfill	1,576
Obligations incurred and capitalized	33
Obligations settled	(38)
Interest accretion	45
Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions	13
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	2
Ending balance, landfill	1,631
Environmental Remediation Liabilities [Member]
Environmental Exit Cost [Line Items]
Beginning balance, environmental remediation	246
Obligations settled	(10)
Interest accretion	2
Revisions in estimates and interest rate assumptions	7
Acquisitions, divestitures and other adjustments	0
Ending balance, environmental remediation	$ 245

Debt - Components of Debt (Deta

Debt - Components of Debt (Detail) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	$ 9,057,000,000	$ 9,310,000,000
Current portion of long-term debt	390,000,000	417,000,000
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,667,000,000	8,893,000,000
Domestic Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	0	426,000,000
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	253,000,000
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	171,000,000	239,000,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	6,033,000,000	6,033,000,000
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	2,305,000,000	2,304,000,000
Current portion of long-term debt	148,000,000
Capital Leases and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations	$ 295,000,000	$ 308,000,000

Debt - Components of Debt (Pare

Debt - Components of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017CAD	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Domestic Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity | $	$ 2,250		$ 2,250
Weighted average interest rate			1.90%
Maturity date of credit facility	Jul. 30, 2020
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	1.40%	1.40%
Other Letter of Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of credit facility	Dec. 31, 2018
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity | CAD		CAD 50,000,000
Weighted average interest rate	2.00%	2.00%	2.10%
Maturity date of credit facility	Mar. 24, 2019
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.60%	4.60%	4.60%
End period of maturity for debt instrument	Mar. 1, 2045
Senior Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.40%	2.40%
Senior Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	7.75%	7.75%
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	1.90%	1.90%	1.80%
End period of maturity for debt instrument	Aug. 1, 2045
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	0.90%	0.90%
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.70%	5.70%
Capital Leases and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
End period of maturity for debt instrument	Dec. 31, 2055
Capital Leases and Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	12.00%	12.00%

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016CAD	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017CAD	Jun. 30, 2017CAD	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt				$ 390,000,000			$ 417,000,000
Debt and capital lease obligations				9,057,000,000			9,310,000,000
Repayments				253,000,000
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash received in termination of foreign exchange cross currency swaps			$ 67,000,000
Expense associated with termination of foreign exchange cross currency swaps			$ 8,000,000
Commercial Paper [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term	397 days
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt classified as long-term due to intent and ability to refinance on long-term basis				561,000,000
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member] | Variable Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable-rate tax-exempt bonds				471,000,000
Domestic Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity				2,250,000,000
Committed and Uncommitted [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding revolving credit facility				461,000,000
Canadian Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum term credit | CAD						CAD 460,000,000
Repayments				74,000,000	CAD 99,000,000
Canadian Term Loan [Member] | Canadian Subsidiaries [Member] | WM Holdings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of intercompany debt | CAD		CAD 370,000,000
Debt Other Than Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt				206,000,000
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt				148,000,000
Debt and capital lease obligations				$ 2,305,000,000			2,304,000,000
Tax-exempt Bonds [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				5.70%		5.70%
Domestic Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations				$ 0			426,000,000
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity				2,250,000,000			2,250,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding revolving credit facility				780,000,000
Unused and available credit capacity				$ 1,217,000,000
Maturity date of credit facility				Jul. 30, 2020	Jul. 30, 2020
Repayments				$ 426,000,000
Commercial Paper Program [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper program maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,500,000,000			1,500,000,000
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations				$ 171,000,000			$ 239,000,000
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity | CAD						CAD 50,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding revolving credit facility | CAD						0
Maturity date of credit facility				Mar. 24, 2019	Mar. 24, 2019
Outstanding borrowings under credit facility | CAD						CAD 0
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations				$ 253,000,000
Commercial Paper [Member] | Long Term Borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations				69,000,000
Commercial Paper [Member] | Current Borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and capital lease obligations				184,000,000
6.10% Senior Notes Mature in March 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt classified as long-term due to intent and ability to refinance on long-term basis				$ 590,000,000
Interest rate				6.10%		6.10%

Income Taxes - Additional infor

Income Taxes - Additional information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rate of income (loss) before income taxes	36.60%	37.60%	34.40%	36.50%
Reduction in income tax expense	$ 2		$ 34
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	13	$ 16	45	$ 23
Investments Qualifying for Federal Tax Credits [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities	9	9	15	15
Income tax expense (benefit), including tax credits, from equity method investment	$ 14	$ 14	$ 25	$ 25

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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Number of common shares outstanding at end of period	439.7	441.7	439.7	441.7
Effect of using weighted average common shares outstanding	2.2	2.3	1.9	3.3
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	441.9	444	441.6	445
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards and other contingently issuable shares	2.5	2.7	2.8	2.5
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	444.4	446.7	444.4	447.5
Potentially issuable shares	8.4	10.1	8.4	10.1
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	2.3	0.5	2.3	0.8

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)siteHomeownersLandfill	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Approximate number of homeowners' properties adjacent to or near certain of our landfills with agreements guaranteeing market value | Homeowners	850
Number of landfills adjacent to or near homeowners' properties with agreements guaranteeing market value | Landfill	22
Environmental remediation reasonably possible additional losses high estimate	$ 115,000,000
Environmental remediation liabilities	$ 245,000,000
Number of sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP | site	76
Number of owned sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP | site	15
Number of non-owned sites listed on the EPA's NPL for which we have been notified we are a PRP | site	61
Approximate percentage of workforce covered by collective bargaining agreements	20.00%
2014 Audit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Expected time of completion of IRS audits	9 months
2015 Audit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Expected time of completion of IRS audits	12 months
2016 Audit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Expected time of completion of IRS audits	18 months
2017 Audit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Expected time of completion of IRS audits	30 months
Wheelabrator [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum future payments regarding guarantees of unconsolidated entities financial obligations	$ 96,000,000	$ 96,000,000
Operational and financial performance obligations, net liability	9,000,000	11,000,000
San Jacinto Waste Pits [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Cost estimate associated with environmental remediation liability	45,000,000	$ 46,000,000
Domestic Line of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Credit Facility, aggregate capacity	2,250,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Dollar threshold for environmental matters requiring disclosure under item 103 of the SEC's Regulation S-K	$ 100,000

Segment and Related Informati40

Segment and Related Information - Additional Information (Detail) - Solid Waste [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017SegmentsAreas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of areas | Areas	17
Number of reportable segments | Segments	3

Segment and Related Informati41

Segment and Related Information - Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,677	$ 3,425	$ 7,117	$ 6,601
Income from operations	673	611	1,231	1,119
Solid Waste [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	833	754	1,583	1,441
Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 1 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	395	362	761	696
Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 2 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	190	157	347	302
Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 3 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	248	235	475	443
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	(18)	(20)	(50)	(56)
Operating Group Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	815	734	1,533	1,385
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(739)	(666)	(1,411)	(1,272)
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Solid Waste [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(683)	(620)	(1,307)	(1,186)
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 1 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(258)	(229)	(496)	(441)
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 2 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(169)	(158)	(322)	(300)
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 3 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(256)	(233)	(489)	(445)
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(56)	(46)	(104)	(86)
Intercompany Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Group Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	(739)	(666)	(1,411)	(1,272)
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	(142)	(123)	(302)	(266)
Gross Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	4,416	4,091	8,528	7,873
Gross Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,759	3,519	7,268	6,801
Gross Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 1 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,417	1,316	2,757	2,557
Gross Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 2 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	916	856	1,758	1,637
Gross Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 3 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,426	1,347	2,753	2,607
Gross Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	657	572	1,260	1,072
Gross Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Operating Group Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	4,416	4,091	8,528	7,873
Net Operating Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,677	3,425	7,117	6,601
Net Operating Revenues [Member] | Solid Waste [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,076	2,899	5,961	5,615
Net Operating Revenues [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 1 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,159	1,087	2,261	2,116
Net Operating Revenues [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 2 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	747	698	1,436	1,337
Net Operating Revenues [Member] | Solid Waste [Member] | Tier 3 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,170	1,114	2,264	2,162
Net Operating Revenues [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	601	526	1,156	986
Net Operating Revenues [Member] | Operating Group Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,677	$ 3,425	$ 7,117	$ 6,601

Acquisitions - Additional Infor

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Jan. 08, 2016USD ($)
Southern Waste Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total consideration, net of cash acquired, for business acquisitions closed during the year	$ 525

Asset Impairments and Unusual43

Asset Impairments and Unusual Items - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017
Waste Diversion Technology Company [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Equity method investments impairment charges		$ 28
Investment in Waste Diversion Technology Company [Member] | Other, net [Member]
Income Expense From Divestitures Asset Impairments And Unusual Items [Line Items]
Impairment charges	$ 41

Accumulated Other Comprehensi44

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			$ 5,320
Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense	$ 33	$ 9	47	$ 78
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	5,507		5,507
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			(40)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss net of tax			4
Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense			4
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	(36)		(36)
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			13
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax			2
Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense			2
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	15		15
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			(47)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax			40
Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense			40
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	(7)		(7)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			(6)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax			1
Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense			1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	(5)		(5)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning balance			(80)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax			43
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss net of tax			4
Other comprehensive income, net of tax expense			47
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending balance	$ (33)		$ (33)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi45

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income, tax	$ 0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax	2
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income, tax	1
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax	0
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income, tax	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax	0
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income, tax	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, tax	$ 0

Accumulated Other Comprehensi46

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Outstanding derivatives	$ 0
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Tax benefit		$ 0
Derivative Instruments [Member] | Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive loss on derivatives net of tax	7,000,000
Tax benefit	$ 4,000,000

Accumulated Other Comprehensi47

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassification of Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Associated with Cash Flow Hedges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other, net		$ (43)		$ (53)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 570	459	$ 1,004	855
Tax (expense) benefit	(209)	(173)	(346)	(313)
Total reclassifications for the period, Net of tax	361	286	658	542
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(3)	(3)	(6)	(26)
Tax (expense) benefit	1	1	2	10
Total reclassifications for the period, Net of tax	(2)	(2)	(4)	(16)
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$ (3)	$ (3)	$ (6)	(6)
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other, net				$ (20)

Common Stock Repurchase Progr48

Common Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions	1 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Common stock repurchases				$ 250,000,000
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock				250,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Maximum capital allocated for repurchases of shares	$ 500,000,000			$ 500,000,000
Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement (ASR) [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Common stock repurchases	$ 250,000,000		$ 225,000,000
Shares of common stock received under ASR	2.7	0.4	2.8
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock	$ 250,000,000		$ 225,000,000
Accelerated share repurchase, price per share	$ 73.46		$ 63.41	$ 73.46
Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement (ASR) [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Final weighted average per share purchase price during the repurchase period		$ 69.43

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	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 184	$ 174
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	37	35
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	52	46
Fixed-Income Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	41	39
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	54	54
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	93	85
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	52	46
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	41	39
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	54	54
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments	54	54
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	37	35
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]
Investments	$ 37	$ 35

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt	$ 9,057	$ 9,310
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt	9,100	9,300
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of Debt	$ 9,700	$ 9,700

Variable Interest Entities - Ad

Variable Interest Entities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Trust Funds for Final Capping Closure Post Closure or Environmental Remediation Obligations [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Other Receivables Investments in Unconsolidated Entities and Other Assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying value of trusts for which company is not the sole beneficiary	$ 98	$ 93
Trust Funds for Final Capping Closure Post Closure or Environmental Remediation Obligations [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Long-term other assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entities primary beneficiary trust fair value assets	99	95
Investment in Refined Coal Facility and Low Income Housing Properties [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Aggregate investment balance	72	84
Investment in Low-Income Housing Properties [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Equity method investments debt balance	$ 45	$ 57

Condensed Consolidating Finan52

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 32	$ 32	$ 39	$ 39
Other current assets	2,294	2,344
Total current assets	2,326	2,376
Property and equipment, net	11,002	10,950
Other assets	7,511	7,533
Total assets	20,839	20,859
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	390	417
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	2,380	2,377
Total current liabilities	2,770	2,794
Long-term debt, less current portion	8,667	8,893
Other liabilities	3,895	3,852
Total liabilities	15,332	15,539
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	5,486	5,297
Noncontrolling interests	21	23
Total equity	5,507	5,320
Total liabilities and equity	20,839	20,859
Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Investments in affiliates	(41,800)	(40,255)
Advances to affiliates	(13,791)	(13,000)
Total assets	(55,591)	(53,255)
Current liabilities:
Due to affiliates	(19,571)	(18,777)
Total liabilities	(19,571)	(18,777)
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	(41,800)	(40,255)
Advances to affiliates	5,780	5,777
Total equity	(36,020)	(34,478)
Total liabilities and equity	(55,591)	(53,255)
WM [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Current assets:
Other current assets	3	5
Total current assets	3	5
Investments in affiliates	20,673	19,924
Other assets	13	14
Total assets	20,689	19,943
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	250	269
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	77	81
Total current liabilities	327	350
Long-term debt, less current portion	6,075	6,229
Due to affiliates	14,088	13,350
Other liabilities	12	16
Total liabilities	20,502	19,945
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	5,486	5,297
Advances to affiliates	(5,299)	(5,299)
Total equity	187	(2)
Total liabilities and equity	20,689	19,943
WM Holdings [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Current assets:
Other current assets	5	5
Total current assets	5	5
Investments in affiliates	21,127	20,331
Other assets	37	30
Total assets	21,169	20,366
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	9	9
Total current liabilities	9	9
Long-term debt, less current portion	304	304
Due to affiliates	184	128
Total liabilities	497	441
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	20,672	19,925
Total equity	20,672	19,925
Total liabilities and equity	21,169	20,366
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	32	32	$ 39	$ 39
Other current assets	2,286	2,334
Total current assets	2,318	2,366
Property and equipment, net	11,002	10,950
Advances to affiliates	13,791	13,000
Other assets	7,461	7,489
Total assets	34,572	33,805
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	140	148
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	2,294	2,287
Total current liabilities	2,434	2,435
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,288	2,360
Due to affiliates	5,299	5,299
Other liabilities	3,883	3,836
Total liabilities	13,904	13,930
Equity:
Stockholders' equity	21,128	20,330
Advances to affiliates	(481)	(478)
Noncontrolling interests	21	23
Total equity	20,668	19,875
Total liabilities and equity	$ 34,572	$ 33,805

Condensed Consolidating Finan53

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,677	$ 3,425	$ 7,117	$ 6,601
Costs and expenses	3,004	2,814	5,886	5,482
Income from operations	673	611	1,231	1,119
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(90)	(93)	(182)	(188)
Other, net	(13)	(59)	(45)	(76)
Total other income (expense)	(103)	(152)	(227)	(264)
Income before income taxes	570	459	1,004	855
Income tax expense (benefit)	209	173	346	313
Consolidated net income	361	286	658	542
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	362	287	660	545
Eliminations [Member]
Other income (expense):
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense	(815)	(669)	(1,504)	(1,280)
Total other income (expense)	(815)	(669)	(1,504)	(1,280)
Income before income taxes	(815)	(669)	(1,504)	(1,280)
Consolidated net income	(815)	(669)	(1,504)	(1,280)
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	(815)	(669)	(1,504)	(1,280)
WM [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(74)	(76)	(148)	(150)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense	406	333	749	637
Other, net				(1)
Total other income (expense)	332	257	601	486
Income before income taxes	332	257	601	486
Income tax expense (benefit)	(30)	(30)	(59)	(59)
Consolidated net income	362	287	660	545
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	362	287	660	545
WM Holdings [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(5)	(5)	(10)	(10)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax expense	409	336	755	643
Total other income (expense)	404	331	745	633
Income before income taxes	404	331	745	633
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2)	(2)	(4)	(4)
Consolidated net income	406	333	749	637
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	406	333	749	637
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,677	3,425	7,117	6,601
Costs and expenses	3,004	2,814	5,886	5,482
Income from operations	673	611	1,231	1,119
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(11)	(12)	(24)	(28)
Other, net	(13)	(59)	(45)	(75)
Total other income (expense)	(24)	(71)	(69)	(103)
Income before income taxes	649	540	1,162	1,016
Income tax expense (benefit)	241	205	409	376
Consolidated net income	408	335	753	640
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)
Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 409	$ 336	$ 755	$ 643

Condensed Consolidating Finan54

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income	$ 394	$ 295	$ 705	$ 620
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	395	296	707	623
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income	(815)	(669)	(1,504)	(1,280)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	(815)	(669)	(1,504)	(1,280)
WM [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income	364	289	664	549
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	364	289	664	549
WM Holdings [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income	406	333	749	637
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	406	333	749	637
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Comprehensive income	439	342	796	714
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.	$ 440	$ 343	$ 798	$ 717

Condensed Consolidating Finan55

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Operating activities	$ 1,534	$ 1,494
Investing activities	(677)	(1,186)
Financing activities	(857)	(309)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1
Intercompany activity	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	32	39
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	32	39
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany activity	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
WM [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany activity	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
WM Holdings [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Intercompany activity	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Operating activities	1,534	1,494
Investing activities	(677)	(1,186)
Financing activities	(857)	(309)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1
Intercompany activity	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	32	39
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 32	$ 39