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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 80,547	$ 65,477	$ 233,208	$ 197,927
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share weighted average shares	85,849,656	85,748,998	86,021,764	85,251,002
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options	1,551,909	1,556,781	1,475,512	1,660,227
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed conversions	87,401,565	87,305,779	87,497,276	86,911,229
Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.94	$ 0.76	$ 2.71	$ 2.32
Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.92	$ 0.75	$ 2.67	$ 2.28