CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,080,350	$ 852	$ 46,945	$ 1,017,497	$ (16,869)	$ 31,925
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		85,242,000
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	234,751
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	2,592
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	237,343			234,751		2,592
Currency translation adjustment	(32,893)				(29,456)	(3,437)
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	341				341
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (in shares)		1,016,000
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	36,405	11	36,394
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)		(1,562,000)
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	(124,056)	(16)	(115,095)	(8,945)
Stock compensation expense	15,367		15,367
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	17,410		17,410
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions	10,708					10,708
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership	(11,231)		(1,021)			(10,210)
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to divestiture	(1,959)					(1,959)
Payments to noncontrolling interests	(534)					(534)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,227,251	847	0	1,243,303	(45,984)	29,085
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		84,696,000
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	267,996
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1,945
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	269,941			267,996		1,945
Currency translation adjustment	6,801				6,292	509
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	628				628
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (in shares)		1,855,000
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	68,463	19	68,444
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)		(563,000)
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	(48,028)	(6)	0	(48,022)
Stock compensation expense	16,339		16,339
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	30,161		30,161
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions	4,386					4,386
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership	(18,039)		1,958			(19,997)
Payments to noncontrolling interests	(580)		(182)			(398)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,557,323	860	116,720	1,463,277	(39,064)	15,530
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	85,987,883	85,988,000
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	311,372			311,372
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests						1,712
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	313,084
Currency translation adjustment	(19,160)				(17,718)	(1,442)
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	314				314
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (in shares)		973,000
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	48,001	10	47,991
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)		(1,461,000)
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	(163,700)	(15)	0	(163,685)
Stock compensation expense	17,457		17,457
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	17,153		17,153
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions	4,211					4,211
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership	(7,137)		(4,211)			(2,926)
Payments to noncontrolling interests	(8)					(8)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,767,538	$ 855	$ 195,110	$ 1,610,964	$ (56,468)	$ 17,077
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	85,500,037	85,500,000