Business Acquisitions - Delaware Valley EFW Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Covanta Delaware Valley L P [Member] ton
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restricted funds held in trust	$ 53	$ 101		$ 19
Project Debt	317	680		64
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid				94
Capacity Per Day				2,700
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination				44
Restricted funds held in trust	161	90		103
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,561	2,423		216
Goodwill	249	232	230	17
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired				355
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	205	211		2
Current portion of project debt	80	147		23
Project Debt Noncurrent	237	533		41
Deferred income taxes	691	633		59
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Liabilities Assumed				125
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net				$ 230