Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 242,112	$ 284,737	$ 482,117
Total costs and expenses	1,634,556	1,997,001	3,038,613
Income tax expense	27,678	30,366	31,975
Net Loss	(6,332)	17,676	$ 223,095
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cumulative Unrecognized Actuarial Losses on Pension Obligations
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Total costs and expenses	22,063	17,728
Income tax expense	(1,873)	(1,297)
Net Loss	20,190	16,431
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Losses
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	15,810	11,556
Cost of services and products sold	5,984	5,898
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Amortization of Prior Service Costs
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	121	103
Cost of services and products sold	148	171
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments | Harsco Infrastructure | Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Loss on disposal of Harsco Infrastructure Segment and transaction costs		(1,447)
Income tax expense		0
Net Loss		(1,447)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward | Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Cost of services and products sold	81	4
Income tax expense	(28)	0
Net Loss	53	4
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustments
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Expenses	0	2,205
Income tax expense	0	0
Net Loss	$ 0	$ 2,205