Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Organization (additional details) [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1
Segment Reporting, Additional Information about Entity's Reportable Segments	Americas and is comprised of waste and energy services operations primarily in the United States and Canada
Pass Through Costs [Abstract]
Pass through costs	$ 78		$ 88		$ 90
Restricted Funds Held in Trust [Abstract]
Restricted funds held in trust	53		101
Restricted funds held in trust	161		90
Restricted funds held in trust	214
Restricted Funds Other [Abstract]
Restricted funds - other	14		13
Deferred Financing Costs [Abstract]
Net deferred financing costs	39		19
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue, Current	31		61
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	2		3
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land	25		25
Facilities And Equipment Gross	3,600		3,353
Landfill Gross	49		44
Construction in Progress, Gross	43		41
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,717		3,463
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(1,156)		(1,040)
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,561		2,423
Depreciation	169		165		160
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Settled	29		26		29
Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense	2		2
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred	1	[1]	(5)	[1]
Asset Retirement Obligation, Current	(5)		(5)
Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent	24		21
Impairment of Goowill, Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	0
Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	Based on our annual assessment performed during the fourth quarter of 2012, there was no impairment of either goodwill or our indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Net (gains) write-offs	(46)		5		34
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	4		3
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	2		(5)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes In Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax	0		2
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	1		1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	7		1
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses [Abstract]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims Current Year	5		9		10
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims, Prior Years	9		3		7
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims	14		12		17
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year	(3)		(5)		(6)
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years	(6)		(8)		(8)
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid	(9)		(13)		(14)
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	29		24		25		22
Reinsurance Recoverables	22		10		9
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Gross	51		34		34
Reclassification [Abstract]
Capitalized Development Costs Expense	11	[2]	5	[2]	0	[2]
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense	1		3		8
Non-Current Restricted Funds Reclassified
Reclassification [Abstract]
Capitalized Development Costs Expense	5
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Original useful lives for equipment	50 years
Up-front Payment Arrangement [Member]
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue, Current	7		8
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	0		0
Unearned Premiums, Short Duration [Member]
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue, Current	1		1
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	0		0
All Other [Member]
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue, Current	23		52
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	2		3
Surety Bonds [Member]
Restricted Funds Other [Abstract]
Restricted funds - other	10		8
Pre Petition Creditors [Member]
Restricted Funds Other [Abstract]
Restricted funds - other	3		3
Principal Amount [Member]
Restricted Funds Held in Trust [Abstract]
Restricted funds held in trust	72
Debt Service Funds [Member]
Restricted Funds Held in Trust [Abstract]
Restricted funds held in trust	39		64
Restricted funds held in trust	39		57
Debt Service Funds [Member] | Principal Amount [Member]
Restricted Funds Held in Trust [Abstract]
Restricted funds held in trust	33		56
Restricted funds held in trust	39		57
Debt Service Funds [Member] | Interest Amount [Member]
Restricted Funds Held in Trust [Abstract]
Restricted funds held in trust	6		8
Restricted funds held in trust	0		0
Revenue Funds [Member]
Restricted Funds Held in Trust [Abstract]
Restricted funds held in trust	9		16
Restricted funds held in trust	0		0
Other Funds [Member]
Restricted Funds Held in Trust [Abstract]
Restricted funds held in trust	5		21
Restricted funds held in trust	122		33
Investments in Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
Organization (additional details) [Abstract]
Investments in subsidiaries engaged in insurance operations	1.00%
Covanta Delaware Valley L P [Member] | Other Funds [Member]
Restricted Funds Held in Trust [Abstract]
Restricted funds held in trust	95
Energy From Waste Process [Member]
Organization (additional details) [Abstract]
Annual processing capacity	20,000,000
Annual generation capacity of megawatt hours	10,000,000
Facilities and Equipment [Domain] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Original useful lives for equipment	3 years
Facilities and Equipment [Domain] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Original useful lives for equipment	33 years
Energy From Waste Facilities [Member]
Organization (additional details) [Abstract]
Number of Operate and/or ownership positions in energy generation facilities	44
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Original useful lives for equipment	33 years
Other Energy Generation Facilities [Member]
Organization (additional details) [Abstract]
Number of Operate and/or ownership positions in energy generation facilities	14
Computer Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Original useful lives for equipment	3 years
Landfill [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Original useful lives for equipment	3 years
Landfill [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Original useful lives for equipment	36 years
Insurance Subsidiary [Member]
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Property and Casualty Insurance Liabilities	$ 7

[1] (1)Comprised of expenditures and settlements of the asset retirement obligation liability, net revisions based on current estimates of the liability and revised expected cash flows and life of the liability.

[2] (6)During 2012, we recorded a non-cash write-off of $11 million of capitalized development costs related to a development project which we ceased to pursue in the United Kingdom. During 2011, we recorded a non-cash write-off of $5 million of capitalized development costs and land related to a development project which we ceased to pursue in the United Kingdom.