Information by Segment and Geographic Area (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) Customer segment	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) Customer	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) Customer
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,889,065	$ 1,848,399	$ 1,534,033
Number of reportable segments | segment	2
Harsco Environmental
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of major customers | Customer	1	1	1
Clean Earth
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of major customers | Customer	1
All Other
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 813,710	$ 839,710	$ 703,334
U.S. Plans
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,075,355	$ 1,008,689	$ 830,699