CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 46,230	$ 88,277	$ 123,825	$ 117,569
Other Comprehensive (Loss)/ Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(32,946)	24,560	(15,782)	(39,941)
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, net of tax (($173) and ($55), and ($345) and ($109) for the three- and six- months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively)	269	90	538	180
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax (($132) and ($117), and $(221) and $2,498 for the three- and six- months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively)	130	646	372	(3,778)
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss)/ Income	(32,547)	25,296	(14,872)	(43,539)
Comprehensive Income	13,683	113,573	108,953	74,030
Less: comprehensive income/ (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	189	216	1,060	(252)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc. Common Shareholders	$ 13,494	$ 113,357	$ 107,893	$ 74,282