INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Oil and oil products	$ 37,785	$ 62,111
Supplies and drums	66,487	68,547
Solvent and solutions	9,627us-gaap_EnergyRelatedInventoryChemicals	9,355us-gaap_EnergyRelatedInventoryChemicals
Modular camp accommodations	15,441	15,776
Other	13,712clh_EnergyRelatedInventoryOther	12,874clh_EnergyRelatedInventoryOther
Total inventories and supplies	$ 143,052us-gaap_Supplies	$ 168,663us-gaap_Supplies

Energy Related Inventory Modular Camp Accommodations

No definition available.

Name:	clh_EnergyRelatedInventoryModularCampAccommodations
Namespace Prefix:	clh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Energy Related Inventory and Supplies Other

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	clh_EnergyRelatedInventoryOther
Namespace Prefix:	clh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Energy Related Inventory Supplies and Drums

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	clh_EnergyRelatedInventorySuppliesAndDrums
Namespace Prefix:	clh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of solvents or substances produced by or used in a process to change the shape, form or composition of some related matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnergyRelatedInventoryChemicals
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of finished goods inventories for petroleum products, crude oil, petrochemical products, and other oil and gas inventories.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryCrudeOilProductsAndMerchandise
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of consideration paid in advance for supplies that provide economic benefits within a future period of one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6787-107765

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (g)(7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Supplies
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant