CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 328,146us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 313,084us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 269,941us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(82,871)	(19,160)	6,801
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, net of tax ($209, $200 and $216) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	339	314	339
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax ($813, $0 and $193 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	(2,069)	0	289
Total Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss)	(84,601)	(18,846)	7,429
Comprehensive Income	243,545	294,238	277,370
Less: Comprehensive Income/ (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(960)	270	2,454
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 244,505us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 293,968us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 274,916us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income of accumulated gain (loss) realized from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss).

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