The number of positions eliminated during the period as a result of restructuring activities.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of the total number of positions eliminated as of the balance sheet date since inception of the restructuring plan(s).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminatedInceptionToDatePercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of positions eliminated during the period as a percentage of total positions eliminated during the period in connection with the restructuring plan(s).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminatedPeriodPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237686&loc=d3e17752-110868

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=irm_ProjectSummitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=srt_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Project Summit - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	24 Months Ended	27 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 employee
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		$ 50,432	$ 48,371	$ 129,686	$ 128,715		$ 372,679
Project Summit costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Planned workforce reductions		95.00%		95.00%			95.00%
Restructuring Charges	$ 450,000			$ 129,686		$ 194,396
Forecast \| Project Summit costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of positions eliminated								45.00%
Managerial and administrative workforce \| employee								700