FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Changes to Contingent Consideration (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability [Roll Forward]
Contingent consideration at December 31, 2012	$ 18,511
Increases due to acquisitions	3,378
Decrease due to payments	(6,745)
Changes due to currency fluctuations	(894)
Changes in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses	(307)	591
Contingent consideration at September 30, 2013	$ 13,943

Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Decrease in Liability

No definition available.

Name:	srcl_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsDecreaseInLiability
Namespace Prefix:	srcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Increase in, Liability

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	srcl_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsIncreaseInLiability
Namespace Prefix:	srcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srcl_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	srcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contingent Consideration Translation Adjustment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	srcl_ContingentConsiderationTranslationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	srcl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of (increase) decrease in the value of a contingent consideration liability, including, but not limited to, differences arising upon settlement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e7008-128479

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of liability recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911338&loc=d3e6819-128478

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 25

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6408-128476

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant