Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 28, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	STERICYCLE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000861878
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	SRCL
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		91,127,712
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-37556
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-3640402
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	2355 Waukegan Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Bannockburn
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60015
City Area Code	847
Local Phone Number	367-5910
Former Address
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	28161 North Keith Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Lake Forest
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60045