Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015		May 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on Storage Transactions	$ 15,786	$ 38,573		$ 0
Gain on sale of Shred-it	378,359
Net income from discontinued operations	236,579	20,097		36,670
Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	0	31,379		357,967
Income (loss) before income taxes, excluding gains (losses) from sale transactions and investments	434	(3,515)		6,913
Gain on Storage Transactions	15,786	38,573		0
(Loss) gain on Shred-it	(24,288)	(3,851)		63,817
Gain on sale of Shred-it	378,359	0		0
Income tax expense	(133,712)	(11,110)		(34,060)
Net income from discontinued operations	236,579	$ 20,097	[1]	$ 36,670	[1]
Discontinued Operations | Storage Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on Storage Transactions	$ 10,900

[1] Results for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 related to Shred-it and Shredding were previously presented in continuing operations and were reclassified to discontinued operations as previously discussed.