CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 30,262	$ 22,511
Short-term investments	420	416
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $19,395 in 2012 and $18,905 in 2011	315,144	290,854
Deferred income taxes	19,055	19,314
Prepaid expenses	23,151	22,466
Other current assets	39,046	35,035
Total Current Assets	427,078	390,596
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	301,274	293,912
Goodwill	1,924,240	1,913,703
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $47,582 in 2012 and $42,050 in 2011	582,467	546,618
Other assets	40,175	32,261
Total Assets	3,275,234	3,177,090
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	91,038	100,526
Accounts payable	71,806	66,635
Accrued liabilities	146,333	140,521
Deferred revenues	13,941	12,855
Other current liabilities	10,699	6,377
Total Current Liabilities	333,817	326,914
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,250,769	1,284,113
Deferred income taxes	335,913	313,733
Other liabilities	26,997	25,079
Equity:
Common stock (par value $.01 per share, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 84,994,111 issued and outstanding in 2012 and 84,696,227 issued and outstanding in 2011)	850	847
Additional paid-in capital	22,798	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(29,538)	(45,984)
Retained earnings	1,305,215	1,243,303
Total Stericycle, Inc.'s Equity	1,299,325	1,198,166
Noncontrolling interest	28,413	29,085
Total Equity	1,327,738	1,227,251
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 3,275,234	$ 3,177,090