Financial Information Relating to Operations by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 858,803	[1]	$ 1,139,547	[1]	$ 821,611	[1]	$ 768,357	[1]	$ 835,908	[2]	$ 1,148,008	[2]	$ 822,224	[2]	$ 703,087	[2]	$ 3,588,318	$ 3,509,227	$ 3,071,545
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	1,098,809								1,064,708								1,098,809	1,064,708
United States
Net sales:
Net sales																	2,845,773	2,767,293	2,627,539
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	679,273								689,705								679,273	689,705
Europe
Net sales:
Net sales																	559,818	563,991	269,513
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	341,908								301,001								341,908	301,001
Canada
Net sales:
Net sales																	124,059	128,882	121,494
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	46,804								42,021								46,804	42,021
Other foreign
Net sales:
Net sales																	58,668	49,061	52,999
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	30,824								31,981								30,824	31,981
Total foreign operations
Net sales:
Net sales																	742,545	741,934	444,006
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	$ 419,536								$ 375,003								$ 419,536	$ 375,003

[1] The first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2012 include rationalization charges of $3.6 million, $0.2 million, $2.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2012 include plant start-up costs of $1.0 million, $1.9 million, $1.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The second and third quarters of 2012 include costs attributable to announced acquisitions of $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The second quarter of 2012 includes a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $38.7 million.

[2] The first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2011 include rationalization charges of $1.7 million, $2.4 million, $0.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The first quarter of 2011 includes costs attributable to announced acquisitions of $1.8 million. The second quarter of 2011 includes income of $27.0 million for proceeds received as a result of the termination of the merger agreement with Graham Packaging, net of costs associated with certain corporate development activities, and a charge for the resolution of a past product liability dispute of $3.3 million. The third quarter of 2011 includes a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $1.0 million.