Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-06732
Entity Registrant Name	COVANTA HOLDING CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-6021257
Entity Address, Address Line One	445 South Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Morristown,
Entity Address, State or Province	NJ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	07960
City Area Code	862
Local Phone Number	345-5000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share
Trading Symbol	CVA
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		131,982,149
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000225648
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31