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
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 75,458us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 79,149us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	85,037,823	85,270,046
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options	1,319,183	1,343,797
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	86,357,006	86,613,843
Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.89us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.93us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.91us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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