Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Operations by segment
Revenues	$ 600,317	$ 560,705
Operating income from continuing operations	25,813	31,915
Interest income	1,697	1,480
Interest expense	(28,122)	(24,995)
Facility fees and debt-related income (expense)	(2,789)	(2,363)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(4,176)	(5,329)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(7,577)	708
Depreciation	36,920	33,039
Amortization	8,174	7,965
Capital Expenditures	26,881	22,146
Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	31,120	41,101
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	299,119	273,189
Operating income from continuing operations	19,588	22,285
Depreciation	28,789	27,560
Amortization	1,018	999
Capital Expenditures	20,553	16,551
Operating Segments | Clean Earth Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	226,030	222,464
Operating income from continuing operations	20,593	16,471
Depreciation	7,413	4,927
Amortization	6,167	6,029
Capital Expenditures	5,334	4,830
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	75,168	65,052
Operating income from continuing operations	(9,061)	2,345
Depreciation	361	0
Amortization	22	0
Capital Expenditures	965	665
Corporate
Operations by segment
Operating income from continuing operations	(5,307)	(9,186)
Depreciation	357	552
Amortization	967	937
Capital Expenditures	$ 29	$ 100