PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Detailed Information for Reporting Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ 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
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 888,304	$ 718,596	$ 715,689	$ 663,319	$ 676,947	$ 667,877	$ 640,822	$ 569,955	$ 2,985,908	$ 2,555,601	$ 2,142,807
Income before income taxes									410,907	487,568	477,746
Income taxes									142,894	159,422	164,662
Net Income									268,013	328,146	313,084
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									967	1,690	1,712
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
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,165,030	1,788,390	1,498,347
Net interest expense									51,680	44,850	43,012
Income before income taxes									382,692	436,958	405,403
Income taxes									145,815	161,497	152,753
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									236,877	275,461	252,650
Depreciation and amortization									78,587	59,389	49,725
Capital expenditures									53,495	56,507	42,760
United States | Regulated and compliance solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,062,204	1,707,031	1,400,572
United States | Recall and returns solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									102,826	81,359	97,775
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									820,878	767,211	644,460
Net interest expense									25,594	21,172	11,937
Income before income taxes									28,215	50,610	72,343
Income taxes									(2,921)	(2,075)	11,909
Net Income									31,136	52,685	60,434
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									967	1,690	1,712
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									30,169	50,995	58,722
Depreciation and amortization									48,825	45,227	38,683
Capital expenditures									61,266	29,989	30,349
International | Regulated and compliance solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 820,878	$ 767,211	$ 644,460