Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-03970
Entity Registrant Name	HARSCO CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	23-1483991
Entity Address, Address Line One	350 Poplar Church Road,
Entity Address, City or Town	Camp Hill,
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	17011
City Area Code	717
Local Phone Number	763-7064
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $1.25 per share
Trading Symbol	HSC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,884,749
Entity Central Index Key	0000045876
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false