Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended																							3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Pacific Ultrapower Chinese Station Plant [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pacific Ultrapower Chinese Station Plant [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 South Fork Plant [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 South Fork Plant [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Koma Kulshan Plant [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Koma Kulshan Plant [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 TARTECH (U.S.) [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 TARTECH (U.S.) [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Ambiente 2000 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Ambiente 2000 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Sanfeng [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Sanfeng [Member]		Dec. 31, 2012 Chengdu [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Chengdu [Member]		Mar. 25, 2011 Quezon Power Incorporated [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Quezon Power Incorporated [Member] MW
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage												55.00%	55.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]	40.00%	40.00%	40.00%	[2]	40.00%	[2]	49.00%	[1]	49.00%	[1]
Investments in investees and joint ventures	$ 49				$ 43				$ 49	$ 43		$ 3	$ 3	$ 1	$ 1	$ 6	$ 5	$ 2	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 1	$ 1	$ 12	[2]	$ 12	[2]	$ 24	[1]	$ 21	[1]
Gross Electric Capacity																																	510
Percentage Of Ownership Interests Sold																																	26.00%
Revenues	430	412	410	392	430	432	411	377	1,644	1,650	1,583																					74
Operating Income (Loss)	112	81	56	3	80	87	53	(2)	252	218	155																					32
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	83	27	17	(11)	28	44	20	135	116	227	71																					15
Net income attributable to Covanta Holding Corporation	82	26	18	(12)	26	42	18	133	114	219	62																					4
Assets, Current	688				764				688	764																						161
Other Assets, Noncurrent	343				265				343	265																						602
Assets	4,526				4,385				4,526	4,385																						763
Liabilities, Current	360				479				360	479																						107
Other liabilities	136				122				136	122																						249
Liabilities	$ 3,471				$ 3,297				$ 3,471	$ 3,297																						$ 356

[1] (1) See Note 3. Business Development and Acquisitions.

[2] (2) See Note 4. Dispositions.