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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Revisions in Risk-Free Discount Rate Applied to Environmental Remediation Liabilities and Recovery Assets

The following table summarizes the impacts of revisions in the risk-free discount rate applied to our environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets during the reported periods (in millions) and the risk-free discount rate applied as of each reporting date:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Charge (reduction) to Operating expenses

   $ 10      $ (13   $ 3   

Risk-free discount rate applied to environmental remediation liabilities and recovery assets

     2.00     3.00     1.75
Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives for Significant Property and Equipment Categories

The estimated useful lives for significant property and equipment categories are as follows (in years):

 

     Useful Lives  

Vehicles — excluding rail haul cars

     3 to 10   

Vehicles — rail haul cars

     10 to 20   

Machinery and equipment — including containers

     3 to 30   

Buildings and improvements — excluding waste-to-energy facilities

     5 to 40   

Waste-to-energy facilities and related equipment

     up to 50   

Furniture, fixtures and office equipment

     3 to 10   
Summary of Equity and Cost Method Investments

 The following table summarizes our equity and cost method investments as of December 31 (in millions):

 

     2014      2013  

Equity investments(a)

   $ 228       $ 437   

Cost investments

     180         154   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in unconsolidated entities

$ 408    $ 591   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) The amount reported in 2013 included $177 million attributable to our 2010 investment in Shanghai Environment Group (“SEG”), which was part of our Wheelabrator business. This investment was classified as a current asset and reflected in “Investment in unconsolidated entity” in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013, based on our intent to sell our investment in SEG within the next 12 months. We sold our investment in SEG in the first quarter of 2014.
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
Cash paid during the year (in millions):    2014      2013      2012  

Interest, net of capitalized interest and periodic settlements from interest rate swap agreements

   $ 461       $ 478       $ 485   

Income taxes

     758         511         366