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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 82,845	$ 80,547	$ 243,930	$ 233,208
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	84,858,360	85,849,656	84,940,975	86,021,764
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options	1,258,095	1,551,909	1,296,227	1,475,512
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	86,116,455	87,401,565	86,237,202	87,497,276
Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.98	$ 0.94	$ 2.87	$ 2.71
Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.96	$ 0.92	$ 2.83	$ 2.67