CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 452,797	$ 447,265
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	69,153	71,614
Research and development expenses	56	157
Other (income) expenses, net	(1,179)	(991)
Total costs and expenses	445,049	428,147
Operating income from continuing operations	7,748	19,118
Interest income	644	547
Interest expense	(15,092)	(16,256)
Unused debt commitment fees, amendment fees and loss on extinguishment of debt	(532)	(5,258)
Defined benefit pension income	2,410	3,934
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(4,822)	2,085
Income tax benefit (expense) from continuing operations	(1,221)	(2,101)
Equity income (loss) of unconsolidated entities, net	(131)	(119)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(6,174)	(135)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued businesses	(39,097)	3,364
Income tax benefit (expense) from discontinued businesses	6,591	(1,664)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(32,506)	1,700
Net income (loss)	(38,680)	1,565
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,159)	(1,430)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	(39,839)	135
Amounts attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(7,333)	(1,565)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(32,506)	1,700
Net income (loss) attributable to Harsco Corporation	$ (39,839)	$ 135
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding	79,363	79,088
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.02)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.41)	0.02
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.50)	$ 0
Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)	79,363	79,088
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.02)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.41)	0.02
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Harsco Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.50)	$ 0
Products And Services, Service Revenue
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	$ 418,435	$ 414,339
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	346,357	329,853
Product Revenues
Revenues from continuing operations:
Total revenues	34,362	32,926
Costs and expenses from continuing operations:
Cost of services sold	$ 30,662	$ 27,514