Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012 ReportingUnit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units	7
Number of reporting units with associated goodwill	3
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units with associated goodwill	2

Represents the number of reporting units of the entity associated with goodwill.

No definition available.

Name:	hsc_NumberOfReportingUnitsWithAssociatedGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	hsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant