Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Finance lease, liability	$ 119.3
Long-term debt, gross and lease obligation	8,788.6		$ 8,445.2
Adjustments	(100.1)		(107.7)
Total long term debt maturities	8,788.6
Finance lease			109.5
Total Debt	8,688.5		8,337.5
Less: current portion	(929.9)		(690.7)
Long-term portion	$ 7,758.6		7,646.8
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	2.592%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	12.203%
Credit facilities: Uncommitted facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 11.6		33.4
Adjustments	0.0		0.0
Total long term debt maturities	11.6		33.4
Credit facilities: June 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	184.4		159.0
Adjustments	0.0		0.0
Total long term debt maturities	$ 184.4		159.0
Senior notes: September 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	5.50%	5.50%
Principal	$ 0.0		650.0
Adjustments	0.0		(0.9)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 0.0		649.1
Senior notes: March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	5.00%
Principal	$ 850.0		850.0
Adjustments	(0.1)		(1.0)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 849.9		849.0
Senior notes: November 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	5.25%
Principal	$ 600.0		600.0
Adjustments	(0.8)		(1.2)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 599.2		598.8
Senior notes: June 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	3.55%
Principal	$ 850.0		850.0
Adjustments	(2.6)		(3.6)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 847.4		846.4
Senior notes: May 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	4.75%
Principal	$ 550.0		550.0
Adjustments	2.6		(5.5)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 552.6		544.5
Senior notes: August 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	2.50%	2.50%
Principal	$ 900.0		0.0
Adjustments	(8.3)		0.0
Total long term debt maturities	$ 891.7		0.0
Senior notes: March 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	3.20%
Principal	$ 500.0		500.0
Adjustments	(3.6)		(4.3)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 496.4		495.7
Senior notes: June 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	2.90%
Principal	$ 500.0		500.0
Adjustments	(3.9)		(4.4)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 496.1		495.6
Senior notes: November 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	3.375%
Principal	$ 650.0		650.0
Adjustments	(5.2)		(5.9)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 644.8		$ 644.1
Senior notes: May 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	3.95%		3.95%
Principal	$ 800.0		$ 800.0
Adjustments	(15.7)		(17.3)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 784.3		782.7
Senior notes: March 2035
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	6.086%
Principal	$ 181.9		181.9
Adjustments	(13.9)		(14.4)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 168.0		167.5
Senior notes: March 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	6.20%
Principal	$ 399.9		399.9
Adjustments	(3.7)		(3.8)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 396.2		396.1
Senior notes: May 2041
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	5.70%
Principal	$ 385.7		385.7
Adjustments	(5.3)		(5.3)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 380.4		380.4
Debentures: May 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	9.25%
Principal	$ 35.3		35.3
Adjustments	(0.4)		(0.7)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 34.9		34.6
Debentures: September 2035
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	7.40%
Principal	$ 148.1		148.1
Adjustments	(33.0)		(33.8)
Total long term debt maturities	115.1		114.3
Tax-exempt: 2020 - 2049
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	1,122.4		1,042.4
Adjustments	(6.2)		(5.6)
Total long term debt maturities	$ 1,116.2		$ 1,036.8
Tax-exempt: 2020 - 2049 \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	1.20%
Tax-exempt: 2020 - 2049 \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Rate	1.50%

Long-term Debt, Gross And Lease Obligation

No definition available.

Name:	rsg_LongtermDebtGrossAndLeaseObligation
Namespace Prefix:	rsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84164817&loc=d3e45280-112737

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount (premium).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28567-108399

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Present value of lessee's discounted obligation for lease payments from finance lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77888426&loc=SL77918701-209980

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77888419&loc=SL77918627-209977

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and lease obligation, classified as noncurrent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and lease obligation, classified as current.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt and lease obligation, including portion classified as current.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_UncommittedRevolverMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_LineOfCreditDueJune2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotesDueSeptember2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotes500DueMarch2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotesDueNovember2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotes8500Million3550DueJune2022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotes5500Million4750DueMay2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotes9000Million2500DueAugust2024Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotes500.0million3.200DueMarch2025Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotesDueJuly2026Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotesDueNovember2027Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotesDueMay2028Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotesDueMarch2035Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotes620DueMarch2040Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_SeniorNotesDueMay2041Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_Debentures995Million9250DueMay2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_Debentures3600Million7400DueSeptember2035Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rsg_TaxExemptBondsAndOtherTaxExemptFinancingsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: