Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 29, 2016
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	STERICYCLE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000861878
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q/A
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SRCL
Amendment Description	[Text Block]
Amendment Flag	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		84,912,603