PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Detailed Information for Reporting Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, 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
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 567,899	$ 534,579	$ 526,525	$ 513,804	$ 503,638	$ 480,484	$ 468,950	$ 460,077	$ 2,142,807	$ 1,913,149	$ 1,676,048
Income before income taxes									477,746	417,197	372,324
Income taxes									164,662	147,256	134,981
Net Income									313,084	269,941	237,343
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests										1,945	2,592
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
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,506,587	1,370,806	1,212,111
Net interest expense									43,131	41,084	40,048
Income before income taxes									404,620	359,748	316,156
Income taxes									152,874	138,807	119,982
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									251,746	220,941	196,174
Depreciation and amortization									50,166	45,234	40,689
Capital expenditures									43,442	38,528	36,270
United States [Member] | Regulated and compliance services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,408,812	1,254,486	1,094,928
United States [Member] | Recall and returns services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									97,775	116,320	117,183
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									636,220	542,343	463,937
Net interest expense									11,818	10,186	8,584
Income before income taxes									73,126	57,449	56,168
Income taxes									11,788	8,449	14,999
Net Income									61,338	49,000	41,169
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									1,712	1,945	2,592
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									59,626	47,055	38,577
Depreciation and amortization									38,242	31,049	25,357
Capital expenditures									29,667	26,708	17,031
International [Member] | Regulated and compliance services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 636,220	$ 542,343	$ 463,937