Review of Operations by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Operations by segment
Revenues	$ 609,993	$ 609,016	$ 1,210,310	$ 1,169,721
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	31,255	33,687	57,068	65,602
Interest income	3,435	1,594	5,132	3,074
Interest expense	(27,934)	(26,409)	(56,056)	(51,404)
Facility fees and debt-related income (expense)	(2,920)	(2,730)	(5,709)	(5,093)
Defined benefit pension income (expense)	(4,166)	(5,400)	(8,342)	(10,729)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity income	(330)	742	(7,907)	1,450
Depreciation	37,026	34,457	73,946	67,496
Amortization	8,006	8,067	16,180	16,032
Capital Expenditures	33,639	44,195	60,520	66,341
Operating Segments
Operations by segment
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	41,079	44,691	72,199	85,792
Operating Segments | Harsco Environmental Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	292,929	289,593	592,048	562,782
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	20,286	12,733	39,874	35,018
Depreciation	27,450	28,354	56,239	55,914
Amortization	975	1,008	1,993	2,007
Capital Expenditures	24,216	38,540	44,769	55,091
Operating Segments | Clean Earth Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	236,105	230,575	462,135	453,039
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	23,882	23,034	44,475	39,505
Depreciation	8,249	5,547	15,662	10,474
Amortization	5,989	6,113	12,156	12,142
Capital Expenditures	8,730	4,974	14,064	9,804
Operating Segments | Harsco Rail Segment
Operations by segment
Revenues	80,959	88,848	156,127	153,900
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(3,089)	8,924	(12,150)	11,269
Depreciation	1,023	0	1,384	0
Amortization	67	0	89	0
Capital Expenditures	622	571	1,587	1,236
Corporate
Operations by segment
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(9,824)	(11,004)	(15,131)	(20,190)
Depreciation	304	556	661	1,108
Amortization	975	946	1,942	1,883
Capital Expenditures	$ 71	$ 110	$ 100	$ 210