Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ (532,256)	$ (370,615)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	16,271	(172,433)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee	(22,586)	(8,003)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	20,243	18,640
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the Infrastructure Transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)		(1,447)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	13,928	(163,243)	$ 40,855
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,640	1,602
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	16,568	(161,641)
Balance, end of period	(515,688)	(532,256)	(370,615)
Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	(39,938)	6,110
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(66,305)	(39,818)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee	(21,950)	(8,635)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	0	2,205
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the Infrastructure Transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)		(1,447)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(88,255)	(47,695)
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,632	1,647
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(85,623)	(46,048)
Balance, end of period	(125,561)	(39,938)	6,110
Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	(9,025)	(7,023)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	9,796	(1,961)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee	(1,232)	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	53	4
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the Infrastructure Transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	8,617	(1,957)
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	8	(45)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	8,625	(2,002)
Balance, end of period	(400)	(9,025)	(7,023)
Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	(483,278)	(369,682)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	72,796	(130,659)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee	596	632
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	20,190	16,431
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the Infrastructure Transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	93,582	(113,596)
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	93,582	(113,596)
Balance, end of period	(389,696)	(483,278)	(369,682)
Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	(15)	(20)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(16)	5
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Equity Method Investee	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (excluding amounts in connection with the asset impairment loss recognized in the Infrastructure transaction)	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in connection with the Infrastructure Transaction (See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions)		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(16)	5
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(16)	5
Balance, end of period	$ (31)	$ (15)	$ (20)