CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
OPERATING REVENUES:
Waste and service revenue	$ 1,231	$ 1,187	$ 1,104
Electricity and steam sales	334	370	421
Recycled metals revenues	82	61	61
Other operating revenues	105	81	59
Total operating revenues	1,752	1,699	1,645
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Plant operating expenses	1,271	1,177	1,129
Other operating expenses	51	86	73
General and administrative expenses	112	100	93
Depreciation and amortization expense	215	207	198
Impairment charges	2	20	43
Total operating expense	1,651	1,590	1,536
Operating income	101	109	109
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(147)	(138)	(134)
(Loss) gain on asset sales	(6)	44	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(84)	0	(2)
Other expense, net	1	(1)	(1)
Total other expense	(236)	(95)	(137)
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in net income from unconsolidated investments	(135)	14	(28)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(191)	22	(84)
Equity in net income from unconsolidated investments	1	4	13
Net income (loss)	57	(4)	69
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	0	0	1
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION	$ 57	$ (4)	$ 68
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding [Abstract]
Basic	130	129	132
Diluted	131	129	133
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Covanta Holding Corporation Stockholders:
Basic	$ 0.44	$ (0.03)	$ 0.52
Diluted	0.44	(0.03)	0.51
Cash Dividend Declared Per Share:	$ 1.00	$ 1.00	$ 1.00