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ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Entity
Dec. 31, 2013
Entity
Dec. 31, 2012
Entity
Apr. 22, 2014
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 44us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired 49us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired 41us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired  
Net increase in Goodwill                 $ 235,600,000us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease      
Tax deductible Goodwill amount 125,000,000us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillExpectedTaxDeductibleAmount               125,000,000us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillExpectedTaxDeductibleAmount      
Acquisition related expenses 2,661,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 3,472,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 3,979,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 3,221,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 4,037,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 2,111,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 2,324,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 1,803,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 13,333,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 10,275,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts 7,900,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts  
Total consideration                 520,259,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1 262,037,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1 321,908,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1  
Consideration, cash paid                 374,321,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired 161,936,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired 224,367,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired  
Consideration, note issued                 125,229,000srcl_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityNotesIssued 64,581,000srcl_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityNotesIssued 70,670,000srcl_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityNotesIssued  
Contingent consideration                 17,174,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred 4,371,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred 9,190,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred  
Customer relationships | Minimum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 10 years      
Customer relationships | Maximum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 40 years      
Trade names | Minimum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 10 years      
Trade names | Maximum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 40 years      
United States                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 17us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US		 13us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US		 17us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US		  
Argentina                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_AR		 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_AR		 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_AR		  
Brazil                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_BR		 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_BR		 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_BR		  
Canada                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CA		 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CA		 0us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CA		  
Chile                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CL		 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CL		 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CL		  
Japan                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		  
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		      
Mexico                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 0us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX		 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX		 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX		  
Portugal                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 5us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_PT		 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_PT		 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_PT		  
Romania                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_RO		 6us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_RO		 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_RO		  
Republic of Korea                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_KR		 0us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_KR		 0us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_KR		  
Spain                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_ES		 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_ES		 8us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_ES		  
United Kingdom                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB		 12us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB		 5us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB		  
United States                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 17us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_US		      
Net increase in Goodwill                 164,900,000us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_US		      
United States | Recall and Returns Solutions [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RecallandReturnsSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_US		      
International [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 27us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember		      
Net increase in Goodwill                 70,700,000us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember		      
Acquisition One [Member] | United States | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_US		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_US		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_US		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Argentina                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_AR		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_AR		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_AR		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Brazil                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_BR		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_BR		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_BR		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Chile                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CL		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CL		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CL		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Japan                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Portugal                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 5us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_PT		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_PT		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_PT		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Romania                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_RO		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Republic of Korea                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_KR		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 75.50%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_KR		               75.50%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_KR		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Spain                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_ES		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_ES		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_ES		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | United Kingdom                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GB		      
Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Communication Solutions [Member] | Canada                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_CommunicationSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CA		      
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_CommunicationSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CA		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionOneMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_CommunicationSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CA		      
Acquisition Two [Member] | United States | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 11us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_US		      
Acquisition Two [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Brazil                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 1us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_BR		      
Acquisition Two [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Chile                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 90.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CL		               90.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_CL		      
Acquisition Two [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Romania                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired 100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_RO		               100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_RO		      
Acquisition Two [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Spain                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 2us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_RegulatedWasteandComplianceSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= srcl_InternationalMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_ES		      
Acquisition Three [Member] | United States | Communication Solutions [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Number of acquisitions                 3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionThreeMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= srcl_CommunicationSolutionsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_US		      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Net increase in Intangible Assets                 276,800,000srcl_IntangibleAssetsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionsYear2014Member		      
Pro forma revenues from the aggregate acquisitions                 364,500,000srcl_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEstimatedAnnualizedRevenueofAcquiree
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionsYear2014Member		      
Impact to revenues of acquisitions                 219,500,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionsYear2014Member		      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Operating permits                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Net increase in Intangible Assets                 158,100,000srcl_IntangibleAssetsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionsYear2014Member
/ us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= srcl_OperatingPermitsMember		      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Customer relationships                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Net increase in Intangible Assets                 117,200,000srcl_IntangibleAssetsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionsYear2014Member
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember		      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Customer relationships | Minimum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 10 years      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Customer relationships | Maximum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 40 years      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Trade names                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Net increase in Intangible Assets                 1,200,000srcl_IntangibleAssetsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionsYear2014Member
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_TradeNamesMember		      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Trade names | Minimum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 15 years      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Trade names | Maximum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 20 years      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Other                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Net increase in Intangible Assets                 300,000srcl_IntangibleAssetsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_AcquisitionsYear2014Member
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember		      
Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Other | Minimum [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life                 10 years      
PSC Environmental Services, LLC                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired                       100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_PSCEnvironmentalServicesLLCMember
Total consideration                       284,200,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_PSCEnvironmentalServicesLLCMember
Consideration, cash paid                       248,200,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_PSCEnvironmentalServicesLLCMember
Consideration, note issued                       30,000,000srcl_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityNotesIssued
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_PSCEnvironmentalServicesLLCMember
Note term                       2 years
Contingent consideration                       6,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_PSCEnvironmentalServicesLLCMember
Liabilities assumed                       32,400,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_PSCEnvironmentalServicesLLCMember
Shiraishi-Sogyo Co. Ltd. [Member]                        
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]                        
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired   100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_ShiraishiSogyoCo.Ltd.Member		                    
Note payable to Stericycle assumed   15,700,000srcl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesNotePayabletoCompany
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_ShiraishiSogyoCo.Ltd.Member		                    
Bank debt assumed   $ 4,700,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= srcl_ShiraishiSogyoCo.Ltd.Member