EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 79,149	$ 74,617
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	85,270,046	86,093,301
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options	1,343,797	1,366,196
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	86,613,843	87,459,497
Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.93	$ 0.87
Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.91	$ 0.85