CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
OPERATING REVENUES:
Waste and service revenues	$ 1,011	$ 1,008	$ 981
Recycled metals revenues	72	74	55
Electricity and steam sales	394	400	420
Other operating revenues	167	168	127
Total operating revenues	1,644	1,650	1,583
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Plant operating expenses	963	962	943
Other operating expenses	156	138	120
General and administrative expenses	97	103	103
Depreciation and amortization expense	195	193	190
Net interest expense on project debt	27	31	38
Net (gains) write-offs	(46)	5	34
Total operating expenses	1,392	1,432	1,428
Operating income	252	218	155
Other income (expense):
Interest income	1	1	1
Interest expense	(94)	(67)	(45)
Non-cash convertible debt related expense	(25)	(25)	(39)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(3)	(1)	(15)
Other (expense) income, net	3	(19)	0
Total other expenses	118	111	98
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense and equity in net income from unconsolidated investments	134	107	57
Income tax expense	(26)	(28)	(24)
Equity in net income from unconsolidated investments	10	5	2
Income from continuing operations	118	84	35
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense	(2)	143	36
NET INCOME	116	227	71
Less: Net loss (income) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(2)	(5)	(5)
Less: Net income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	0	(3)	(4)
Total net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(2)	(8)	(9)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION	114	219	62
Amounts Attributable to Covanta Holding Corporation stockholders':
Continuing operations	116	79	30
Discontinued operations	(2)	140	32
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION	$ 114	$ 219	$ 62
Basic
Continuing operations	$ 0.88	$ 0.56	$ 0.19
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ 0.99	$ 0.21
Covanta Holding Corporation	$ 0.87	$ 1.55	$ 0.40
Weighted Average Shares	132	141	153
Diluted
Continuing operations	$ 0.87	$ 0.56	$ 0.19
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ 0.98	$ 0.21
Covanta Holding Corporation	$ 0.86	$ 1.54	$ 0.40
Weighted Average Shares	133	142	154
Cash Dividend Declared Per Share:	$ 0.60	$ 0.30	$ 1.50