Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

CONSOLIDATED DEBT Tax-Exempt Variable Rate Demand Bonds due 2043 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 01, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt			$ 2,252	$ 2,263
Covanta Delaware Valley L P [Member] \| Variable Rate Tax Exempt Bond due 2043 [Member] [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Tax Exempt Debt	$ 22	$ 12
Long-term Debt					$ 34
Pennsylvania Series 2015A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt			$ 40