Detailed Information for United States Reporting Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 446,557	$ 420,924	$ 410,441	$ 398,126	$ 393,489	$ 362,988	$ 347,734	$ 335,177	$ 1,676,048	$ 1,439,388	$ 1,177,736
Income before income taxes									372,324	331,853	277,688
Income taxes									134,981	121,396	101,299
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	64,288	59,247	55,542	55,674	49,980	56,686	53,094	48,119	234,751	207,879	175,691
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,212,111	1,083,565	912,594
Net interest expense									40,048	31,079	28,852
Income before income taxes									316,156	277,486	232,077
Income taxes									119,982	105,065	88,113
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									196,174	172,421	143,964
Depreciation and amortization									40,689	35,769	29,424
Capital expenditures									36,270	33,737	29,479
United States | Regulated waste management services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,094,928	957,398	842,479
United States | Regulated returns and recall management services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 117,183	$ 126,167	$ 70,115