Stock Repurchases, Dividends and Earnings per Share - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.	$ 371,888	$ 331,065	$ 723,912	$ 627,009
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	316,473	319,526	316,538	319,487
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 1.04	$ 2.29	$ 1.96
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	316,960	320,041	317,079	319,937
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17	$ 1.03	$ 2.28	$ 1.96
Restricted stock units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested awards (in shares)	126	232	170	187
Phantom Share Units (PSUs)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested awards (in shares)	361	283	372	263