EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 80,827	$ 69,449	$ 87,830	$ 28,940	$ 82,526	$ 82,845	$ 81,936	$ 79,149	$ 267,046	$ 326,456	$ 311,372
Less: mandatory convertible preferred stock dividend	10,106	0	0	0					10,106	0	0
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc. Common Shareholders	$ 70,721	$ 69,449	$ 87,830	$ 28,940					$ 256,940	$ 326,456	$ 311,372
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares									84,944,841	84,932,792	85,902,550
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options									1,217,768	1,300,820	1,489,438
Mandatory convertible preferred stock									0	0	0
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises									86,162,609	86,233,612	87,391,988
Earnings per share ? Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.83	$ 0.82	$ 1.03	$ 0.34	$ 0.97	$ 0.98	$ 0.97	$ 0.93	$ 3.02	$ 3.84	$ 3.62
Earnings per share ? Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.82	$ 0.81	$ 1.02	$ 0.34	$ 0.96	$ 0.96	$ 0.95	$ 0.91	$ 2.98	$ 3.79	$ 3.56