Accounts Receivable and Note Receivable - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Sep. 30, 2022	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 305,106	$ 305,106		$ 272,775
Accounts receivable past due by twelve months or more	4,000	4,000
Trade accounts receivable, net	296,521	296,521		264,428
Accounts receivable under factoring arrangement, program capacity	32,200	32,200		31,400
Note receivable, face value						$ 40,000
Note receivable, interest rate						2.50%
Proceeds from notes receivable	11,200	11,238	$ 8,605
Middle East | Harsco Environmental Segment
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable, net	5,500	5,500
Harsco Industrial IKG | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Selling price							$ 85,000
Accounts Receivable Under Factoring Arrangement
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable, net	15,200	15,200		17,300
PNC
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable securitization, maximum purchase commitment					$ 150,000
Total outstanding trade receivables sold and derecognized	150,000	150,000		145,000
Accounts receivable from securitization	79,000	79,000		$ 69,700
Greater than 12 months
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 13,600	$ 13,600