Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 10,041,500	$ 9,387,700	$ 9,115,000
Expenses:
Cost of operations	6,214,600	5,764,000	5,518,600
Depreciation, amortization and depletion	1,036,300	991,100	970,600
Accretion	79,800	79,100	79,400
Selling, general and administrative	1,057,400	969,800	983,100
Withdrawal costs - multiemployer pension funds	1,200	5,600	4,500
(Gain) loss on business divestitures and impairments, net	(33,900)	(100)	0
Restructuring charges	17,600	40,700	0
Operating income	1,668,500	1,537,500	1,558,800
Interest expense	(361,900)	(371,300)	(364,900)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(800)	(196,200)	0
Interest income	1,000	900	800
Loss from unconsolidated equity method investments	(27,400)	(6,100)	0
Other income, net	2,700	1,100	1,200
Income before income taxes	1,282,100	965,900	1,195,900
Provision for income taxes	3,100	352,700	445,500
Net income	1,279,000	613,200	750,400
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiary	(600)	(600)	(500)
Net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.	$ 1,278,374	$ 612,588	$ 749,906
Basic earnings per share attributable to Republic Services, Inc. stockholders:
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.79	$ 1.79	$ 2.14
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	337,051	343,024	349,984
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Republic Services, Inc. stockholders:
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.77	$ 1.78	$ 2.13
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	338,981	344,390	351,388
Cash dividends per common share ( in dollars per share)	$ 1.33	$ 1.24	$ 1.16