Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Decrease in investment				$ 29,400
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net		$ 694	$ 7,584	(2,481)	$ 3,501
Change in Fair Value of the Unit Adjustment Liability, exclusive of not making quarterly payments		(1,500)	(2,200)	(3,400)	(4,400)
Unit adjustment liability		64,200		64,200		$ 79,900
Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total annual payments to acquire joint venture, before tax	$ 22,000
Total annual payments to acquire joint venture, after tax	$ 15,000
Transfer of ownership interest	3.00%
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net		694	$ 7,584	(2,481)	$ 3,501
Equity method investment, carrying value		$ 233,900		$ 233,900		$ 250,100
Harsco Infrastructure Segment | Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in Brand		26.00%		26.00%		29.00%
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net				$ 10,300
Unit Adjustment Liability, Infrastructure Transaction
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Unit adjustment liability decrease				$ 19,145