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																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 78,164		$ 80,547		$ 78,044		$ 74,617		$ 70,069		$ 65,477		$ 67,593		$ 64,857		$ 311,372		$ 267,996		$ 234,751
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares																	85,902,550		85,401,365		85,467,421
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options																	1,489,438		1,617,108		1,900,291
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises																	87,391,988		87,018,473		87,367,712
Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.91	[1]	$ 0.94	[1]	$ 0.91	[1]	$ 0.87	[1]	$ 0.82	[1]	$ 0.76	[1]	$ 0.79	[1]	$ 0.76	[1]	$ 3.62	[1]	$ 3.14	[1]	$ 2.75
Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.90	[1]	$ 0.92	[1]	$ 0.89	[1]	$ 0.85	[1]	$ 0.80	[1]	$ 0.75	[1]	$ 0.78	[1]	$ 0.75	[1]	$ 3.56	[1]	$ 3.08	[1]	$ 2.69

[1] EPS calculated on a quarterly basis, and, as such, the amounts may not total the calculated full-year EPS.