Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net		$ (384)	$ 0	$ (5,686)
Net sales proceeds				145,000
Merger related costs		$ 0	0	20,640
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability				4,700
Unit adjustment liability, current and non-current			$ 0
Infrastructure Transaction Strategic Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total annual payments, pre-tax	$ 22,000
Total annual payments, after-tax	$ 15,000
Ownership interest, joint venture contingency threshold	3.00%
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities, net				(5,686)
Accrued liabilities				1,400
Loss on sale of equity interest				43,500
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 equity method investments				26.00%