CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 65,173	$ 69,906	$ 188,998	$ 187,475
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/ Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(17,032)	(55,214)	(32,814)	(95,155)
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, net of tax (($170) and ($176), and ($515) and ($284) for the three- and nine- months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively)	266	278	804	458
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax ($17 and ($79), and $(115) and $2,557 for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively)	(54)	(216)	318	(3,994)
Total Other Comprehensive Loss	(16,820)	(55,152)	(31,692)	(98,691)
Comprehensive Income	48,353	14,754	157,306	88,784
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	500	1,644	1,560	1,392
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc. Common Shareholders	$ 47,853	$ 13,110	$ 155,746	$ 87,392