Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 01, 2017	Jun. 30, 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-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	SRCL
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		85,247,156
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 8,846,584,641