Restructuring reserve settled with cash or otherwise settled.

Name:	gef_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashOrOtherwiseSettled
Namespace Prefix:	gef
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs, excluding asset retirement obligations, associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination and to asset retirement obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 95-3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances
Balance at October 31, 2010			$ 20,238
Costs incurred and charged to expense	3,396	9,779	11,407	20,566
Restructuring reserve settled with cash or otherwise settled			(17,571)
Balance at July 31, 2011	14,074		14,074
Employee separation costs [Member]
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances
Balance at October 31, 2010			12,668
Costs incurred and charged to expense			6,197
Restructuring reserve settled with cash or otherwise settled			(11,453)
Balance at July 31, 2011	7,412		7,412
Other restructuring costs [Member]
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances
Balance at October 31, 2010			7,570
Costs incurred and charged to expense			4,841
Restructuring reserve settled with cash or otherwise settled			(6,008)
Balance at July 31, 2011	6,403		6,403
Asset impairments [Member]
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring reserve balances
Balance at October 31, 2010			0
Costs incurred and charged to expense			369
Restructuring reserve settled with cash or otherwise settled			(110)
Balance at July 31, 2011	$ 259		$ 259