EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 78,044	$ 67,593	$ 152,661	$ 132,450
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share weighted average shares	86,125,012	85,170,255	86,109,244	84,999,268
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options	1,489,941	1,665,360	1,436,397	1,715,139
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed conversions	87,614,953	86,835,615	87,545,641	86,714,407
Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.91	$ 0.79	$ 1.77	$ 1.56
Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.89	$ 0.78	$ 1.74	$ 1.53