OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Operations	OPERATIONS Clean Harbors, Inc., through its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), is a leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout North America. On December 28, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Safety-Kleen, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Safety-Kleen"), which are the premier provider of used oil recycling and re-refining, parts cleaning and other environmental services for the small quantity generator market. The Company has a network of more than 400 service locations, including service centers, branches, active hazardous waste management properties and used oil processing facilities. The service centers and branches are the principal sales and service centers from which the Company provides its environmental, energy and industrial services. The hazardous waste management properties include incineration facilities, commercial landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, treatment, storage and disposal facilities ("TSDFs"), solvent recycling facilities, locations specializing in polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCB") management, and oil storage and recycling facilities. The oil processing facilities include oil accumulation centers, oil terminals and oil re-refineries. Some of the Company's properties offer multiple capabilities. In addition, the Company has satellite and support locations, and corporate and regional offices.

OPERATIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

OPERATIONS

Clean Harbors, Inc., through its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), is a leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout North America. On December 28, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Safety-Kleen, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Safety-Kleen"), which are the premier provider of used oil recycling and re-refining, parts cleaning and other environmental services for the small quantity generator market.

The Company has a network of more than 400 service locations, including service centers, branches, active hazardous waste management properties and used oil processing facilities. The service centers and branches are the principal sales and service centers from which the Company provides its environmental, energy and industrial services. The hazardous waste management properties include incineration facilities, commercial landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, treatment, storage and disposal facilities ("TSDFs"), solvent recycling facilities, locations specializing in polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCB") management, and oil storage and recycling facilities. The oil processing facilities include oil accumulation centers, oil terminals and oil re-refineries. Some of the Company's properties offer multiple capabilities. In addition, the Company has satellite and support locations, and corporate and regional offices.