The gain (loss) on insurance proceeds from damaged assets.

No definition available.

Name:	ecol_GainLossOnInsuranceProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	ecol_
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The gain (loss) on insurance proceeds related to expenses incurred to continue limited operations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecol_GainLossOnInsuranceProceedsContinuingLimitedOperations
Namespace Prefix:	ecol_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Represents the number of fatalities due to explosion at a facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ecol_NumberOfFatalities
Namespace Prefix:	ecol_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount awarded to other party in judgment or settlement of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- 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

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- Definition

Amount of cash inflow for proceeds from settlement of insurance claim, classified as investing activities. Excludes insurance settlement classified as operating activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 21B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=SL94080549-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_DamageFromFireExplosionOrOtherHazardMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=ecol_OccupationalSafetyAndHealthReviewCommissionMember
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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 10, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Nov. 17, 2018 employee
Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
Insurance proceeds from damaged property and equipment				$ 9,500
Property insurance recoveries		$ 4,500		$ 9,153
Explosion at the Grand View, Idaho Facility
Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
Number of fatalities \| employee					1
Continued limited operations insurance recoveries			$ 462
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
Settlement	$ 50