Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Decrease in investment					$ 29,400
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net		$ 0	$ 694	$ 0	(2,481)
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability		$ 0	(1,489)	$ 0	(13,706)
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability, exclusive of not making quarterly payments					(3,400)
Unit Adjustment Liability, Infrastructure Transaction
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Unit adjustment liability decrease					19,145
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		(2,481)
Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture | Harsco Infrastructure
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net					$ 10,300
Percentage of ownership in Brand						26.00%