Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Shares (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ (10,550)	$ 15,671
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic	80,238	80,240
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation	0	112
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	80,238	80,352
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share, attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.20
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ 0.20