Accounts Receivable and Note Receivable - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable		$ 301,636		$ 272,775
Accounts receivable past due by twelve months or more		9,800
Trade accounts receivable, net		288,030		264,428
Accounts receivable under factoring arrangement, program capacity		31,200		31,400
Note receivable, face value					$ 40,000
Note receivable, interest rate					2.50%
Proceeds from notes receivable		11,238	$ 8,605
Harsco Environmental Segment | Middle East
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable past due by twelve months or more		5,300
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		15,800		17,300
PNC
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
AR facility term	3 years
Accounts receivable securitization, maximum purchase commitment				150,000
Total outstanding trade receivables sold and derecognized		150,000		145,000
Accounts receivable from securitization		86,000		$ 69,700
Greater than 12 months
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable		$ 14,200