Construction Projects (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009 Taixing Covanta Yanjiang Cogeneration Co Ltd [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Taixing Covanta Yanjiang Cogeneration Co Ltd [Member] ton	Dec. 31, 2009 Chengdu [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Chengdu [Member] ton	Dec. 31, 2011 Durham York Energy From Waste Facility [Member] ton	Dec. 31, 2012 Honolulu Energyfrom Waste Facility [Member] MW ton	Dec. 31, 2011 Honolulu Energyfrom Waste Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Honolulu Energyfrom Waste Facility [Member] MW ton	Dec. 31, 2012 Covanta TARTECH LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Chongqing Iron And Steel Company Group Ltd [Member] Chengdu [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage					85.00%
Contract Duration				25 years		25 years		20 years		20 years
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage							49.00%					50.00%
Capacity Per Day					350		1,800		3,060		2,160
Other Project Debt		$ 23	$ 26		$ 26		$ 73
Guarantee Percent							49.00%						51.00%
Capacity Of Facility								140,000
Contract Value								250	302
Gross Electric Capacity									90		57
Acquisition Of Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries	$ 2											$ 2