Restructuring Programs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Project Orion Operational Savings - Min	$ 20,000
Project Orion Phase III Operational Savings - Max	25,000
Harsco Metals & Minerals Improvement Plan (Project Orion) [Member] | Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Employee termination benefit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	7,668	$ 0
Expense incurred	5,070	11,992
Other adjustments	(1,003)	1,190
Cash expenditures	(5,854)	(5,331)
Foreign currency translation	(74)	(183)
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	5,807	7,668
Harsco Metals & Minerals Improvement Plan (Project Orion) [Member] | Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Compensation savings, annualized basis	36,000
2011/2012 Restructuring Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual Beginning Balance	2,400
Remaining Accrual Ending Balance	$ 2,000	$ 2,400