Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Operations by segment
Revenues	$ 481,052	$ 468,674	$ 933,849	$ 915,939
Operating income from continuing operations	(97,003)	26,265	(89,255)	45,383
Interest income	693	577	1,337	1,124
Interest expense	(16,692)	(15,643)	(31,784)	(31,899)
Facility fees and debt-related income (expense)	2,149	(50)	1,617	(5,308)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(2,247)	(3,956)	(4,657)	(7,890)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(108,606)	15,105	(113,428)	17,190
Capital Expenditures	28,307	40,829	60,759	67,846
Depreciation	32,463		66,067	64,904
Amortization	8,481		17,067	17,783
Amortization, Excluding Discontinued Operations		8,731		17,613
Depreciation Excluding Industrial Segment		30,949		62,486
Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(88,121)	37,609	(71,151)	66,722
Corporate
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(8,882)	(11,344)	(18,104)	(21,339)
Capital Expenditures	1,172	111	2,138	179
Depreciation	460	494	891	977
Amortization	636	633	1,319	1,384
Harsco Environmental Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Revenues	277,599	272,546	539,650	530,532
Operating income from continuing operations	23,547	30,223	41,814	56,158
Capital Expenditures	23,585	35,993	48,375	60,412
Depreciation	27,467	25,550	55,539	51,267
Amortization	1,714	2,035	3,542	4,083
Harsco Clean Earth Segment | Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Revenues	203,453	196,128	394,199	385,407
Operating income from continuing operations	(111,668)	7,386	(112,965)	10,564
Capital Expenditures	3,550	4,725	10,246	7,255
Depreciation	4,536	4,905	9,637	10,242
Amortization	$ 6,131	$ 6,063	$ 12,206	$ 12,146