GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 377,576	$ 302,210	$ 295,300	$ 233,546
Other current assets	488,796	450,327
Property, plant and equipment, net	848,276	655,394
Other long-term assets	250,432	194,544
Total assets	1,965,080	1,602,475
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities	325,430	306,284
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	156,454	161,774
Long-term obligations	524,994	264,007
Capital lease obligations, net	9,109	6,839
Other long-term liabilities	91,725	82,744
Total liabilities	1,107,712	821,648
Stockholders' equity	857,368	780,827
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,965,080	1,602,475
Clean Harbors, Inc.
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	196,896	100,476	143,304	141,338
Intercompany receivables	358,947	371,559
Other current assets	16,322	15,521
Investments in subsidiaries	900,630	628,723
Other long-term assets	14,660	7,768
Total assets	1,487,455	1,124,047
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities	37,492	13,935
Long-term obligations	524,994	264,007
Intercompany debt payable	3,701	3,701
Other long-term liabilities	63,900	61,577
Total liabilities	630,087	343,220
Stockholders' equity	857,368	780,827
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,487,455	1,124,047
U.S. Guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	118,563	124,582	93,759	50,408
Other current assets	270,797	279,895
Property, plant and equipment, net	337,544	302,028
Investments in subsidiaries	354,556	259,294
Intercompany debt receivable	480,525	368,804
Other long-term assets	86,969	87,888
Total assets	1,648,954	1,422,491
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities	164,082	201,384
Intercompany payables	206,330	222,750
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	134,710	141,280
Capital lease obligations, net	744	249
Other long-term liabilities	6,676	2,531
Total liabilities	512,542	568,194
Stockholders' equity	1,136,412	854,297
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,648,954	1,422,491
Foreign Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	62,117	77,152	58,237	41,800
Other current assets	201,677	154,911
Property, plant and equipment, net	510,732	353,366
Investments in subsidiaries	154,525	91,654
Intercompany debt receivable	3,701	3,701
Other long-term assets	148,803	98,888
Total assets	1,081,555	779,672
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities	123,856	90,965
Intercompany payables	152,617	148,809
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	21,744	20,494
Capital lease obligations, net	8,365	6,590
Intercompany debt payable	480,525	368,804
Other long-term liabilities	21,149	18,636
Total liabilities	808,256	654,298
Stockholders' equity	273,299	125,374
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,081,555	779,672
Consolidating Adjustments
ASSETS
Intercompany receivables	(358,947)	(371,559)
Investments in subsidiaries	(1,409,711)	(979,671)
Intercompany debt receivable	(484,226)	(372,505)
Total assets	(2,252,884)	(1,723,735)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Intercompany payables	(358,947)	(371,559)
Intercompany debt payable	(484,226)	(372,505)
Total liabilities	(843,173)	(744,064)
Stockholders' equity	(1,409,711)	(979,671)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ (2,252,884)	$ (1,723,735)