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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 81,936	$ 78,044	$ 161,085	$ 152,661
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	84,699,043	86,125,012	84,982,966	86,109,244
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options	1,283,545	1,489,941	1,317,326	1,436,397
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	85,982,588	87,614,953	86,300,292	87,545,641
Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.97	$ 0.91	$ 1.90	$ 1.77
Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.95	$ 0.89	$ 1.87	$ 1.74