Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 USD ($)	May. 31, 2015 USD ($) transaction buyer
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of Shred-it		$ 578,300			$ 578,257	$ 3,344
Equity method investments	$ 15,000				15,000		$ 225,700
Gain on disposal of business					15,786	35,036
Proceeds from sale of Storage assets					35,338	154,891
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on disposal of business	$ 0		$ 899		15,786	35,036
Discontinued Operations | Storage Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on disposal of business					10,900
Number of transactions involved in sale of business | transaction							3
Number of buyers involved in sale of business | buyer							3
Discontinued Operations | Storage Real Estate Assets
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on disposal of business					4,800
Proceeds from sale of Storage assets					$ 24,400
Shred-it | Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Estimated additional consideration subject to holdback provisions (up to)		$ 34,000
Equity method investments							$ 210,100
Amortization period of basis difference					9 years
Loss on investment in Shred-it, net of tax			$ 6,800		$ 24,300	$ 7,000
Amortization of basis difference					$ 4,800
Gain on disposal of business				$ 3,900