Detailed Information for Reporting Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 503,638	$ 480,484	$ 468,950	$ 460,077	$ 446,557	$ 420,924	$ 410,441	$ 398,126	$ 1,913,149	$ 1,676,048	$ 1,439,388
Income before income taxes									417,197	372,324	331,853
Income tax expense									147,256	134,981	121,396
Net income									269,941	237,343	210,457
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,945	2,592	2,578
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	70,069	65,477	67,593	64,857	64,288	59,247	55,542	55,674	267,996	234,751	207,879
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,370,806	1,212,111	1,083,565
Net interest expense									41,084	40,048	31,079
Income before income taxes									359,748	316,156	277,486
Income tax expense									138,807	119,982	105,065
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									220,941	196,174	172,421
Depreciation and amortization									45,234	40,689	35,769
Capital expenditures									38,528	36,270	33,737
United States | Regulated waste management services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,254,486	1,094,928	957,398
United States | Regulated Recall and Returns Management Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									116,320	117,183	126,167
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net interest expense									10,186	8,584	5,736
Income before income taxes									57,449	56,168	54,367
Income tax expense									8,449	14,999	16,331
Net income									49,000	41,169	38,036
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,945	2,592	2,578
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									47,055	38,577	35,458
Depreciation and amortization									31,049	25,357	18,116
Capital expenditures									26,708	17,031	14,583
International | Regulated waste management services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 542,343	$ 463,937	$ 355,823