Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Change in fair value to the unit adjustment liability	$ (2,245,000)	$ (2,546,000)
Unit adjustment liability	90,400,000				93,800,000
Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, fair value	281,900,000				285,700,000
Total annual payments, before tax			22,000,000
Total annual payments, after tax			15,000,000
Transfer of ownership interest (in percent)			2.50%
Investee EBITDA contingency threshold			487,000,000
Contingency threshold, number of years after agreement that would terminate company's quarterly payments				8 years
In event of an IPO, minimum co-venture interest in partnership that could terminate company's quarterly payments				20.00%
Liquidation preference				$ 336,000,000
Harsco Infrastructure Segment | Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in Brand	29.00%