EXHIBIT 23.1

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-102144) of Stericycle, Inc. for the
registration of 438,063 shares of its common stock of our report dated February
15, 2002, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
Stericycle, Inc. and Subsidiaries for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2001, included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                             /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

January 24, 2003