Other Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Employee termination benefit costs	$ 753	$ 5,772
Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment separation costs	0	3,287
Net gains	(122)	(652)
Other costs to exit activities	100	182
Impaired asset write-downs	0	93
Other	163	441
Other expenses	$ 894	$ 9,123