-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BJfBd63WXwgO93OU2hRltA+TcS3gFpsI8eh27p9Nhw8XU7C5XwLQrRjkg93ap/j2
 0U6/QX/Ssy0W2E2ey3swGg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001123292-06-000538.txt : 20060912
<SEC-HEADER>0001123292-06-000538.hdr.sgml : 20060912
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060912210311
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001123292-06-000538
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060908
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060912
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060912

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COVANTA HOLDING CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000225648
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COGENERATION SERVICES & SMALL POWER PRODUCERS [4991]
		IRS NUMBER:				956021257
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		40 LANE ROAD
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07004
		BUSINESS PHONE:		973-882-9000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		40 LANE ROAD
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07004

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DANIELSON HOLDING CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MISSION INSURANCE GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900826

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MISSION EQUITIES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19770921

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHAW D E & CO L P /NY/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001009268
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06732
		FILM NUMBER:		061087415

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 WEST 45TH
		STREET 2:		39TH FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2124780000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 W 45TH ST
		STREET 2:		39TH FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DE SHAW LAMINAR PORTFOLIOS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001263972
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06732
		FILM NUMBER:		061087416

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 W 45TH STREET
		STREET 2:		TOWER 45, 39TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			D E SHAW & CO LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001277502
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06732
		FILM NUMBER:		061087417

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 WEST 45TH STREET
		STREET 2:		TOWER 45 39TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2124780000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHAW DAVID E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001023870
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06732
		FILM NUMBER:		061087418

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 WEST 45TH STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10036
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2078560498

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE IDEXX DRIVE
		CITY:			WESTBROOK
		STATE:			ME
		ZIP:			04092
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-09-08</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000225648</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COVANTA HOLDING CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CVA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001263972</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DE SHAW LAMINAR PORTFOLIOS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>39TH FLOOR, TOWER 45</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>120 WEST FORTY-FIFTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10036</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>See Footnotes 1 and 2.</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001009268</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHAW D E &amp; CO L P /NY/</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>39TH FLOOR, TOWER 45</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>120 WEST FORTY-FIFTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10036</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>See Footnotes 1 and 2.</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001277502</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>D E SHAW &amp; CO LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>39TH FLOOR, TOWER 45</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>120 WEST FORTY-FIFTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10036</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>See Footnotes 1 and 2.</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001023870</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHAW DAVID E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>39TH FLOOR, TOWER 45</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>120 WEST FORTY-FIFTH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10036</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>See Footnotes 1 and 2.</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-09-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>966900</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.85</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>26160605</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-09-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1204901</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.81</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>24955704</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The securities of the Issuer to which this form relates are held directly by D. E. Shaw Laminar Portfolios, L.L.C. (&quot;Laminar&quot;). D. E. Shaw &amp; Co., L.P. (&quot;DESCO LP&quot;), as investment adviser to Laminar; D. E. Shaw &amp; Co., L.L.C. (&quot;DESCO LLC&quot;), as managing member of Laminar; and Mr. David E. Shaw (&quot;David E. Shaw&quot;) (as president and sole shareholder of D. E. Shaw &amp; Co., Inc., which is the general partner of DESCO LP, and as president and sole shareholder of D. E. Shaw &amp; Co. II, Inc., which is the managing member of DESCO LLC) may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Common Stock of the Issuer for purposes of Rule 16a-1(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Continued in Footnote 2).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">In accordance with instruction 4(b)(iv), the entire number of shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by DESCO LP or DESCO LLC is reported herein. Each of DESCO LP, DESCO LLC, and David E. Shaw disclaims any beneficial ownership of any of the securities listed in this Form 4, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>D. E. Shaw Laminar Portfolios, L.L.C. By: D. E. Shaw &amp; Co., L.L.C., as Managing Member  By: /s/ Eric Wepsic, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-09-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>D. E. Shaw &amp; Co., L.P.  By: /s/ Eric Wepsic, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-09-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>D. E. Shaw &amp; Co., L.L.C.  By: /s/ Eric Wepsic, Managing Director</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-09-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David E. Shaw   By: /s/ Eric Wepsic, Attorney-in-Fact for David E. Shaw</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-09-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----