CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues from continuing operations:
Service revenues	$ 1,092,725	$ 1,366,246	$ 2,229,416
Product revenues	630,367	700,042	666,554
Total revenues	1,723,092	2,066,288	2,895,970
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	909,995	1,149,360	1,771,078
Cost of products sold	446,366	494,510	467,816
Selling, general and administrative expenses	242,112	284,737	482,117
Research and development expenses	4,510	5,467	10,166
Loss on disposal of the Harsco Infrastructure Segment and transaction costs	1,000	5,103	292,326
Other expenses	30,573	57,824	15,110
Total costs and expenses	1,634,556	1,997,001	3,038,613
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	88,536	69,287	(142,643)
Interest income	1,574	1,702	2,087
Interest expense	(46,804)	(47,111)	(49,654)
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability	(8,491)	(9,740)	(966)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income (loss)	34,815	14,138	(191,176)
Income tax expense	(27,678)	(30,366)	(31,975)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated entities, net	175	(1,558)	1,548
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,312	(17,786)	(221,603)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) on disposal of discontinued business	(1,553)	176	(2,398)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to discontinued business	573	(66)	906
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(980)	110	(1,492)
Net income (loss)	6,332	(17,676)	(223,095)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(144)	(4,495)	(9,753)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	6,188	(22,171)	(232,848)
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	7,168	(22,281)	(231,356)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(980)	110	(1,492)
Net Income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 6,188	$ (22,171)	$ (232,848)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	80,234	80,884	80,755
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.09	$ (0.28)	$ (2.86)
Discontinued operations	(0.01)	0.00	(0.02)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.08	$ (0.27)	$ (2.88)
Diluted weighted average shares of stock outstanding	80,365	80,884	80,755
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.09	$ (0.28)	$ (2.86)
Discontinued operations	(0.01)	0.00	(0.02)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.08	$ (0.27)	$ (2.88)