Restructuring Programs (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Restructuring Program 2011 and 2012
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual at December 31 2014	$ 2,400
Accrual at September 30 2015	2,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Harsco Metals & Minerals Improvement Plan (Project Orion) [Member]
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual at December 31 2014	7,668
Other Adjustments	(1,003)
Cash Expenditures	(3,930)
Foreign Currency Translation	(85)
Accrual at September 30 2015	2,650
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Harsco Metals & Minerals Improvement Plan (Project Orion) [Member] \| Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Programs
Effect of Future Earnings, Annualized Basis	37,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment \| Harsco Metals & Minerals Improvement Plan (Project Orion) [Member] \| Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring accrual related activity
Accrual at December 31 2014	7,668
Other Adjustments	(1,003)
Cash Expenditures	(3,930)
Foreign Currency Translation	(85)
Accrual at September 30 2015	$ 2,650

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Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

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Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

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Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 40

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394291&loc=d3e17658-110867

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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Amount of foreign currency translation adjustment increasing or decreasing the accrual for a specified type of restructuring cost.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

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