Rocket Companies Inactive 10-Q11 May 152015 Q2 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information Document	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 24, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	RKT
Entity Registrant Name	Rock-Tenn CO
Entity Central Index Key	230498
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		140,833,251

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net sales	$2,455.60	$2,393.60	$4,969.80	$4,756.20
Cost of goods sold	1,998.50	1,966.40	4,043.20	3,881.20
Gross profit	457.1	427.2	926.6	875
Selling, general and administrative expenses	252.6	245.5	496.3	480.3
Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net	0	0	11.9	0
Restructuring and other costs, net	17.2	14.2	22.6	31.8
Operating profit	187.3	167.5	395.8	362.9
Interest expense	-23	-23.2	-46.3	-47.2
Interest income and other income (expense), net	-0.5	-0.2	-0.3	-1
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	2.4	1.5	4.6	3.2
Income before income taxes	166.2	145.6	353.8	317.9
Income tax expense	-55.8	-62.1	-117.8	-123.8
Consolidated net income	110.4	83.5	236	194.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-0.6	-0.7	-1.1	-1.6
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$109.80	$82.80	$234.90	$192.50
Basic earnings per share attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$0.78	$0.58	$1.67	$1.34
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$0.77	$0.57	$1.65	$1.32
Cash dividends paid per share	$0.32	$0.18	$0.51	$0.35

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Consolidated net income	$110.40	$83.50	$236	$194.10
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation loss	-29.5	-12.7	-47.2	-22
Defined benefit pension plans:
Net actuarial loss arising during the period	0	0	-2.8	0
Amortization and settlement recognition of net actuarial loss, included in pension cost	5.1	2.6	22.8	5.2
Prior service cost arising during the period	0	0	-13.9	0
Amortization and curtailment recognition of prior service cost (credit), included in pension cost	0.3	0	-4.9	0
Other comprehensive loss	-24.1	-10.1	-46	-16.8
Comprehensive income	86.3	73.4	190	177.3
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-0.5	-0.6	-0.9	-1.5
Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$85.80	$72.80	$189.10	$175.80

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$39.70		$32.60
Restricted cash	8.8		8.8
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $24.7 and $25.1)	974		1,118.70
Inventories	1,013.70		1,029.20
Other current assets	236.9		243.2
Total current assets	2,273.10		2,432.50
Property, plant and equipment at cost:
Land and buildings	1,275.60		1,280.50
Machinery and equipment	7,219		7,076.20
Transportation equipment	15.9		15.8
Leasehold improvements	25.1		25
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	8,535.60		8,397.50
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,750.50		-2,564.90
Net property, plant and equipment	5,785.10		5,832.60
Goodwill	1,916.10		1,926.40
Intangibles, net	644.8		691.1
Other assets	201.8		157.1
Assets	10,820.90		11,039.70
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	126.4		132.6
Accounts payable	789.8		812.8
Accrued compensation and benefits	212.6		224.4
Other current liabilities	190.4		190.7
Total current liabilities	1,319.20		1,360.50
Long-term debt due after one year	2,623		2,852.10
Pension liabilities, net of current portion	1,026.30		1,090.90
Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	94.6		101.7
Deferred income taxes	1,152.80		1,132.80
Other long-term liabilities	164.6		180.6
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	13.4		13.7
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50.0 million shares authorized; no shares outstanding	0		0
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value; 175.0 million shares authorized; 140.8 million and 140.0 million shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively	1.4		1.4
Capital in excess of par value	2,870.10		2,839.80
Retained earnings	2,096.20		1,960.90
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-541.2	[1]	-495.3	[1]
Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholdersâ€™ equity	4,426.50		4,306.80
Noncontrolling interests	0.5		0.6
Total equity	4,427		4,307.40
Liabilities and Equity	$10,820.90		$11,039.70

[1]	All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interest.

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$24.70	$25.10
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	140,800,000	140,000,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$236	$194.10
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	304.5	286.6
Deferred income tax expense	87.1	110.4
Share-based compensation expense	21.4	19.6
Loss (gain) on disposal of plant, equipment and other, net	2.4	-2.3
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	-4.6	-3.2
Pension and other postretirement funding more than expense	-47.3	-86.5
Impairment adjustments and other non-cash items	-5.6	5.9
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	120.5	143.6
Inventories	-22.1	-38.1
Other assets	-90.7	-33.9
Accounts payable	-7.4	-5.8
Income taxes	-30.3	-14.4
Accrued liabilities and other	-13.1	-44.9
Net cash provided by operating activities	550.8	531.1
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-235.2	-227.1
Cash received (paid) for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	3.7	-60
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	0.4	0.4
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary and affiliates	0	3.8
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	8.4	13.3
Proceeds from property, plant and equipment insurance settlement	0	3.4
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	-222.7	-266.2
Financing activities:
Additions to revolving credit facilities	148.9	142.8
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	-109	-153.5
Additions to debt	110.9	172.7
Repayments of debt	-377.8	-329.7
Commercial card program	-0.6	0
Debt issuance costs	-0.1	-0.2
Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	-26.8	-13.8
Purchases of common stock	-8.7	-53
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	16.4	14.5
(Repayments to) advances from unconsolidated entity	-0.4	2
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-71.4	-50.9
Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	-1.3	-0.3
Net cash used for financing activities	-319.9	-269.4
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1.1	0.3
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	7.1	-4.2
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	32.6	36.4
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	39.7	32.2
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes, net of refunds	44.6	14.6
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	$41.60	$43.10

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parentheticals) (NPG Inc. [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
NPG Inc. [Member]
Fair value of assets acquired, including goodwill	$79.20
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired	59.6
Liabilities assumed	$19.60

General_Discussion_on_Notes_to

General Discussion on Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Unless the context otherwise requires, “we”, “us”, “*our”, “RockTenn” and “the Company*” refer to the business of Rock-Tenn Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and its partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries.

	We are one of North America’s leading providers of packaging solutions and manufacturers of containerboard and paperboard. We operate locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Puerto Rico.

Interim_Financial_Statements

Interim Financial Statements	6 Months Ended
Interim Financial Statements	Mar. 31, 2015
Interim Financial Statements [Abstract]
Interim Financial Statements	Interim Financial Statements

	Our independent public accounting firm has not audited our accompanying interim financial statements. We derived the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2014 from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Fiscal 2014 Form 10-K. In the opinion of our management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of our statements of income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, our comprehensive income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, our financial position at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, and our cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014.

	We have condensed or omitted certain notes and other information from the interim financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Therefore, these interim statements should be read in conjunction with our Fiscal 2014 Form 10-K. The results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year.

New_Accounting_Standards

New Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
New Accounting Standards	Mar. 31, 2015
New Accounting Standards [Abstract]
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards

	Recently Adopted Standards

	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. This ASU amends ASC 360 “Property Plant and Equipment” and expands the disclosures for discontinued operations, and requires new disclosures for disposals of individually significant components that do not meet the new definition of a discontinued operation and are classified as assets held for sale. These provisions are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted these provisions on January 1, 2015, and the adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

	Recently Issued Standards

	In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07 “Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share”. This ASU amends ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement” and eliminates the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value (or its equivalent) practical expedient. Investments for which fair value is measured at net asset value per share using the practical expedient should not be categorized in the fair value hierarchy. However, disclosures on investments for which fair value is measured at net asset value as a practical expedient should continue to be disclosed to help users understand the nature and risks of the investments and whether the investments, if sold, are probable of being sold at amounts different from net asset value. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. We currently expect to adopt these provisions on October 1, 2016, including interim periods subsequent to the date of adoption, applied retrospectively to all periods presented. We do not expect that the adoption of these provisions will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”, which amends certain provisions of ASC 835 “Interest-Imputation of Interest”. The ASU requires that debt issuance costs for a recorded liability be presented in the balance sheet as a reduction of the carrying amount of the debt. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. We expect to adopt these provisions on October 1, 2016, including interim periods subsequent to the date of adoption. We do not expect that the adoption of these provisions will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02 “Consolidation-Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”, which amends certain provisions of ASC 810 “Consolidation”. The amendment requires the consideration of additional criteria in (i) the analysis and determination of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities and (ii) primary beneficiary determinations. The ASU also eliminates certain fees from the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. We expect to adopt these provisions on October 1, 2016, including interim periods subsequent to the date of adoption. We do not expect that the adoption of these provisions will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12 “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period”. This ASU amends ASC 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation” and clarifies that a performance target in a share-based payment that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be accounted for as a performance condition and impact compensation cost when it is probable the performance target will be achieved. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. We expect to adopt these provisions on October 1, 2016, including interim periods subsequent to the date of adoption. Based on our current stock compensation awards, we do not expect that the adoption of these provisions will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 which is codified in ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and supersedes both the revenue recognition requirement to ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the five steps set forth in ASC 606. An entity must also disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative information about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and for interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. We expect to adopt these provisions on October 1, 2017, including interim periods subsequent to the date of adoption, which can be applied using a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these provisions.

Equity_and_Other_Comprehensive

Equity and Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income and Equity [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income and Equity Note	Equity and Other Comprehensive Income

	Equity

	The following is a summary of the changes in total equity for the six months ended March 31, 2015 (in millions):


		Rock-Tenn				Noncontrolling (1)				Total
		Company				Interests				Equity
		Shareholders’
		Equity
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	4,306.80			$	0.6			$	4,307.40

	Net income	234.9				0.2				235.1

	Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(45.9		)		—				(45.9		)

	Income tax benefit from share-based plans	16.4				—				16.4

	Compensation expense under share-based plans	21.4				—				21.4

	Cash dividends declared (per share - $0.508025)(2)	(71.6		)		—				(71.6		)

	Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	—				(0.3		)		(0.3		)

	Issuance of Class A common stock, net of stock received for minimum tax withholdings	(26.8		)		—				(26.8		)

	Purchases of Class A common stock	(8.7		)		—				(8.7		)

	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	4,426.50			$	0.5			$	4,427.00



	(1)	Excludes amounts related to contingently redeemable noncontrolling interests which are separately classified outside of permanent equity in the mezzanine section of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

	(2)	Includes cash dividends paid, and dividends declared but unpaid, related to the shares reserved but unissued to satisfy Smurfit-Stone bankruptcy claims.

	Stock Repurchase Plan

	Our board of directors has approved a stock repurchase plan that allows for the repurchase of shares of our Common Stock over an indefinite period of time at the discretion of our management. Our stock repurchase plan was last amended in September 2014 following the August 27, 2014 two-for-one stock split of our Common Stock in the form of a 100% stock dividend to shareholders of record as of August 12, 2014 (the “Stock Split”). The stock repurchase plan allows for the repurchase of up to a total of 16.9 million shares of Common Stock. Pursuant to our repurchase plan, in the six months ended March 31, 2015, we repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares for an aggregate cost of $8.7 million. As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately 8.5 million shares of Common Stock available for repurchase under the plan.

	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

	The tables below summarize the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 (in millions):



		Deferred Loss on Cash Flow Hedges				Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans				Foreign Currency Items				Total (1)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(0.2	)		$	(498.2	)		$	3.1			$	(495.3	)

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—				(16.7		)		(46.8		)		(63.5		)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—				17.6				—				17.6

	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	—				0.9				(46.8		)		(45.9		)

	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(0.2	)		$	(497.3	)		$	(43.7	)		$	(541.2	)

	(1) All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interest.



		Deferred Loss on Cash Flow Hedges				Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans				Foreign Currency Items				Total (1)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	(0.2	)		$	(332.9	)		$	32.5			$	(300.6	)

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—				—				(21.2		)		(21.2		)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—				5				(0.4		)		4.6

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	—				5				(21.6		)		(16.6		)

Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(0.2	)		$	(327.9	)		$	10.9			$	(317.2	)


(1) All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interest.

The net of tax components were determined using effective tax rates averaging approximately 38% to 39% for each of the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014. Foreign currency translation gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 were primarily due to the change in the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rates. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded defined benefit net actuarial losses and prior service costs, net of tax, in other comprehensive income of $2.8 million and $13.9 million, respectively, primarily due to the partial settlement, plan amendments and curtailment of certain defined benefit plans. The deferred income tax expense associated with the net actuarial losses and prior service costs was $1.7 million and $8.8 million, respectively. The amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings for these events are summarized in the reclassifications tables below. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, there were no defined benefit plan net actuarial gains, losses or prior service costs arising during the period.

The following tables summarize the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in millions):


	Three Months Ended												Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-15												March 31, 2014
	Pretax				Tax				Net of Tax				Pretax				Tax		Net of Tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement items (1)
Actuarial losses (2)	$	(8.0	)		$	3.1			$	(4.9	)		$	(4.2	)		$	1.6	$	(2.6	)

Prior service (costs) credits (2)	(0.4		)		0.1				(0.3		)		0.1				—		0.1

Subtotal defined benefit plans	(8.4		)		3.2				(5.2		)		(4.1		)		1.6		(2.5		)


Foreign currency translation adjustments
Sale of foreign subsidiary (3)	—				—				—				0.4				—		0.4

Total reclassifications for the period	$	(8.4	)		$	3.2			$	(5.2	)		$	(3.7	)		$	1.6	$	(2.1	)



(1)	Amounts in parentheses indicate charges to earnings. Amounts pertaining to noncontrolling interests are excluded.

(2)	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (See “*Note 11. Retirement Plans*” for additional details).

(3)	Amount reflected in “Restructuring and other costs, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of income.


	Six Months Ended												Six Months Ended
	31-Mar-15												March 31, 2014
	Pretax				Tax				Net of Tax				Pretax				Tax		Net of Tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement items (1)
Actuarial losses (2)	$	(36.3	)		$	13.8			$	(22.5	)		$	(8.2	)		$	3.1	$	(5.1	)

Prior service credits (2)	8				(3.1		)		4.9				0.1				—		0.1

Subtotal defined benefit plans	(28.3		)		10.7				(17.6		)		(8.1		)		3.1		(5.0		)


Foreign currency translation adjustments
Sale of foreign subsidiary (3)	—				—				—				0.4				—		0.4

Total reclassifications for the period	$	(28.3	)		$	10.7			$	(17.6	)		$	(7.7	)		$	3.1	$	(4.6	)



(1)	Amounts in parentheses indicate charges to earnings. Amounts pertaining to noncontrolling interests are excluded.

(2)	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (See “*Note 11. Retirement Plans*” for additional details).

(3)	Amount reflected in “Restructuring and other costs, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings per Share

	Certain of our restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to dividends at the same rate as Common Stock. As participating securities, we include these instruments in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share under the two-class method described in ASC 260 “Earnings per Share”. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method and has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Stock Split (in millions, except per share data):



		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Basic earnings per share:
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	109.8	$	82.8	$	234.9	$	192.5

	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	140.8		143.6		140.5		143.8


	Basic earnings per share attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	0.78	$	0.58	$	1.67	$	1.34


	Diluted earnings per share:
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	109.8	$	82.8	$	234.9	$	192.5

	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	140.8		143.6		140.5		143.8

	Effect of dilutive stock options and non-participating securities	1.9		2.4		2.2		2.5

	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	142.7		146		142.7		146.3


	Diluted earnings per share attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	0.77	$	0.57	$	1.65	$	1.32


	During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 in the table above, the amount of distributed and undistributed income available to participating securities was de minimis and did not impact net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders.

	Weighted average shares includes approximately 0.3 million of reserved, but unissued shares at each of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014. These reserved shares will be distributed as claims are liquidated or resolved in accordance with the Smurfit-Stone Plan of Reorganization and Confirmation Order.

	Options and restricted stock in the amount of 0.1 million and 0.5 million common shares in the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, and 0.4 million and 0.2 million common shares in the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively, were not included in computing diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive.

Acquisitions_Notes

Acquisitions (Notes)	6 Months Ended
Acquisitions (Notes)	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Acquisitions and Other Transactions

	Proposed Transaction with MeadWestvaco

	On January 25, 2015, RockTenn and MeadWestvaco entered into a Business Combination Agreement, as amended, pursuant to which RockTenn and MeadWestvaco have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, to effect a strategic combination of their respective businesses by: (i) Rome Merger Sub, Inc., a Georgia corporation that was formed on March 6, 2015 as a wholly owned subsidiary of a new holding company organized under the laws of Delaware, Rome-Milan Holdings, Inc. (“TopCo”), merging with and into RockTenn, with RockTenn surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of TopCo, (ii) Milan Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that was formed on March 6, 2015 as a wholly owned subsidiary of TopCo, merging with and into MeadWestvaco, with MeadWestvaco surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of TopCo (the “MeadWestvaco Merger”), and (iii) MeadWestvaco, as the surviving corporation of the MeadWestvaco Merger, converting to a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with Section 266 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as soon as practicable after the effective time of the MeadWestvaco Merger.

	AGI In-Store Acquisition

	On August 29, 2014, we acquired the stock of AGI In-Store, a manufacturer of permanent point-of-purchase displays and fixtures to the consumer products and retail industries. The purchase price was $69.9 million, net of cash acquired of $0.5 million and the collection of a previously accrued estimated working capital settlement. No debt was assumed. We acquired the AGI In-Store business as we believe it supports our strategy to provide a more holistic portfolio of innovative in-store marketing solutions, including “store-within-a-store” displays, and will enhance cross-selling opportunities and bolster our growing retail presence. We have included the results of AGI In-Store’s operations since the date of the acquisition in our condensed consolidated financial statements in our Merchandising Displays segment. The preliminary purchase price allocation for the acquisition included $26.0 million of customer relationship intangible assets, $13.2 million of goodwill and $5.9 million of liabilities. We are amortizing the customer relationship intangibles over 5 to 10.5 years on a straight-line basis because the amortization pattern was not reliably determinable. The fair value assigned to goodwill is primarily attributable to buyer-specific synergies expected to arise after the acquisition (e.g., enhanced reach of the combined organization and increased vertical integration) and the assembled work force of AGI In-Store. We expect to make an election under section 338(h)(10) of the Code that will increase our tax basis in the acquired assets for an as yet to be determined amount for consideration not to exceed $2.0 million. We are in the process of finalizing the estimated values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and therefore, the allocation of the purchase price is preliminary and subject to revision. We expect the goodwill and intangibles to be amortizable for income tax purposes.

	Tacoma Mill Acquisition

	On May 16, 2014, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of the Tacoma Mill. The purchase price was $340.6 million, including an estimate of the expected working capital settlement. We believe the Tacoma Mill, located in Tacoma, WA, is a strategic fit as the mill has improved our ability to satisfy West Coast customers and generate operating efficiencies across our containerboard system. We have included the results of the Tacoma Mill since the date of the acquisition in our condensed consolidated financial statements in our Corrugated Packaging segment. The preliminary purchase price allocation for the acquisition included $22.6 million for the fair value of an electrical cogeneration contract, $14.6 million of customer relationship intangible assets, $29.0 million of goodwill and $28.9 million of liabilities assumed. We are amortizing the electrical cogeneration contract over the contract life of 7.2 years and the customer relationship intangibles over 20 years based on a straight-line basis because the amortization pattern was not reliably determinable. The fair value assigned to goodwill is primarily attributable to buyer-specific synergies expected to arise after the acquisition (e.g., enhanced reach of the combined organization and synergies) and the assembled work force of the Tacoma Mill. We are in the process of finalizing the estimated values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and therefore, the allocation of the purchase price is preliminary and subject to revision. We expect the goodwill and intangibles to be amortizable for income tax purposes.

	NPG Acquisition

	On December 20, 2013, we acquired the stock of NPG, a specialty display company. The purchase price was $59.6 million, net of cash acquired of $1.7 million and a working capital settlement. We acquired the NPG business as we believe it is a strong strategic fit that will strengthen our displays business. We have included the results of NPG’s operations in our condensed consolidated financial statements in our Merchandising Displays segment. The final purchase price allocation for the acquisition included $14.5 million of customer relationship intangible assets, $27.9 million of goodwill and $19.5 million of liabilities, including approximately $0.6 million in debt. We are amortizing the customer relationship intangibles over 9 years based on a straight-line basis because the pattern was not reliably determinable. The fair value assigned to goodwill is primarily attributable to buyer-specific synergies expected to arise after the acquisition (e.g., enhanced reach of the combined organization and increased vertical integration) and the assembled work force of NPG. The goodwill and intangibles resulting from the acquisition will not be amortizable for tax purposes.

Restructuring_and_Other_Costs_

Restructuring and Other Costs, Net	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Other Costs, Net [Abstract]
Restructuring and Other Costs, Net	Restructuring and Other Costs, Net

	Summary of Restructuring and Other Initiatives

	We recorded pre-tax restructuring and other costs, net, of $17.2 million and $14.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively, and recorded pre-tax restructuring and other costs, net, of $22.6 million and $31.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively. Costs recorded in each period are not comparable since the timing and scope of the individual actions associated with a restructuring, an acquisition or an integration can vary. We discuss these charges in more detail below.

	When we close a facility, if necessary, we recognize an impairment charge primarily to reduce the carrying value of equipment or other property to their estimated fair value less cost to sell, and record charges for severance and other employee related costs. Any subsequent change in fair value less cost to sell prior to disposition is recognized as identified; however, no gain is recognized in excess of the cumulative loss previously recorded. At the time of each announced closure, we generally expect to record future charges for equipment relocation, facility carrying costs, costs to terminate a lease or contract before the end of its term and other employee related costs. Although specific circumstances vary, our strategy has generally been to consolidate our sales and operations into large well-equipped plants that operate at high utilization rates and take advantage of available capacity created by operational excellence initiatives. Therefore, we transfer a substantial portion of each plant’s assets and production to our other plants. We believe these actions have allowed us to more effectively manage our business.

	While restructuring costs are not charged to our segments and therefore do not reduce segment income, we highlight the segment to which the charges relate. The following table presents a summary of restructuring and other charges, net, related to active restructuring and other initiatives that we incurred during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the cumulative recorded amount since we started the initiatives, and the total we expect to incur (in millions):

	Summary of Restructuring and Other Costs, Net


	Segment		Period		Net Property,				Severance				Equipment			Facility			Other			Total
					Plant and				and Other				and Inventory			Carrying			Costs
					Equipment (a)				Employee				Relocation			Costs
									Related				Costs
									Costs
	Corrugated		Current Qtr.		$	1			$	—			$	0.3		$	0.7		$	—		$	2
	Packaging(b)
			YTD Fiscal 2015		1.2				—				0.4			1.3			0.1			3

			Prior Year Qtr.		1				1.4				0.4			1.4			0.2			4.4

			YTD Fiscal 2014		2.5				1.4				1.7			2.5			0.3			8.4

			Cumulative		30.2				29.2				7.5			12.3			5.5			84.7

			Expected Total		30.2				29.2				7.5			13.5			5.5			85.9

	Consumer Packaging(c)		Current Qtr.		0.2				(0.2		)		0.2			0.2			0.2			0.6

			YTD Fiscal 2015		0.3				0.2				0.2			0.2			0.2			1.1

			Prior Year Qtr.		—				—				—			0.1			—			0.1

			YTD Fiscal 2014		—				(0.1		)		—			0.1			—			—

			Cumulative		4.7				1.7				0.7			0.6			0.4			8.1

			Expected Total		4.7				1.7				0.7			0.6			0.4			8.1

	Recycling(d)		Current Qtr.		0.3				—				—			0.3			0.2			0.8

			YTD Fiscal 2015		0.4				—				—			0.6			1			2

			Prior Year Qtr.		0.7				0.1				0.1			0.4			0.1			1.4

			YTD Fiscal 2014		4.1				—				0.5			0.8			2.2			7.6

			Cumulative		12.4				1.3				0.8			3.1			7.6			25.2

			Expected Total		12.4				1.3				1.3			3.3			7.7			26

	Other(e)		Current Qtr.		—				—				—			—			13.8			13.8

			YTD Fiscal 2015		—				—				—			—			16.5			16.5

			Prior Year Qtr.		—				—				—			—			8.3			8.3

			YTD Fiscal 2014		—				—				—			—			15.8			15.8

			Cumulative		0.1				0.2				0.1			—			162.3			162.7

		Expected Total		0.1				0.2				0.1			—			162.3			162.7

Total		Current Qtr.		$	1.5			$	(0.2	)		$	0.5		$	1.2		$	14.2		$	17.2

		YTD Fiscal 2015		$	1.9			$	0.2			$	0.6		$	2.1		$	17.8		$	22.6

		Prior Year Qtr.		$	1.7			$	1.5			$	0.5		$	1.9		$	8.6		$	14.2

		YTD Fiscal 2014		$	6.6			$	1.3			$	2.2		$	3.4		$	18.3		$	31.8

		Cumulative		$	47.4			$	32.4			$	9.1		$	16		$	175.8		$	280.7

		Expected Total		$	47.4			$	32.4			$	9.6		$	17.4		$	175.9		$	282.7



(a)	We have defined “Net Property, Plant and Equipment” as used in this Note 6 to represent property, plant and equipment impairment losses, subsequent adjustments to fair value for assets classified as held for sale, subsequent (gains) or losses on sales of property, plant and equipment and related parts and supplies, and accelerated depreciation on such assets, if any.


(b)	The Corrugated Packaging segment current quarter and year to date charges primarily reflect on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities net of asset sales. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect closure costs from one announced closure and on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities net of asset sales. The cumulative charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of corrugated container plants and the closure of the Matane, Quebec containerboard mill, including gains and losses associated with the sale of assets associated with the closures. We have transferred a substantial portion of each closed facility's production to our other facilities.


(c)	The Consumer Packaging segment current quarter and year to date charges are primarily associated with on-going closure activity at previously closed facilities including the Cincinnati, OH specialty recycled paperboard mill. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect on-going closure activity at two previously closed converting facilities. The cumulative charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of converting facilities and a specialty recycled paperboard mill. We have transferred a substantial portion of each closed facility’s production to our other facilities.


(d)	The Recycling segment current quarter and year to date charges are primarily associated with the on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of one collection facility and on-going closure costs and impairment and fair value adjustments for assets at previously closed facilities. The cumulative charges primarily reflect the charges associated with the closure of collection facilities, including gains and losses associated with the sale of assets associated with the closures.


(e)	The expenses in the “Other” segment primarily reflect costs that we consider as Corporate, including the “Other Costs” column that primarily reflects costs incurred as a result of the completed Smurfit-Stone Acquisition, such as acquisition and integration expenses, and the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco. Also included in the “Other” segment are insignificant costs related to our Merchandising Displays segment. The pre-tax charges in the “Other Costs” column are summarized below (in millions):


	Acquisition				Integration				Total
	Expenses				Expenses
Current Qtr.	$	10.3			$	3.5			$	13.8

YTD Fiscal 2015	$	10.8			$	5.7			$	16.5

Prior Year Qtr.	$	1.4			$	6.9			$	8.3

YTD Fiscal 2014	$	2.8			$	13			$	15.8


Acquisition expenses include expenses associated with acquisitions or other business combinations, whether consummated or not, including the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco, as well as litigation expenses associated with acquisitions and business combinations, net of recoveries. Acquisition expenses primarily consist of advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees. Integration expenses primarily reflect severance and other employee costs, professional services, including work being performed to facilitate acquisition / merger integration, such as information systems integration costs, lease expense and other costs. Due to the complexity and duration of the integration activities, the precise amount expected to be incurred has not been quantified above. We expect integration activities related to the Smurfit-Stone Acquisition to be completed by the end of fiscal 2015.

The following table represents a summary of and the changes in the restructuring accrual, which is primarily composed of lease commitments, accrued severance and other employee costs, and a reconciliation of the restructuring accrual charges to the line item “Restructuring and other costs, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (in millions):


	Six Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015				2014
Accrual at beginning of fiscal year	$	10.9			$	21.8

Additional accruals	0.2				2.4

Payments	(5.0		)		(9.9		)
Adjustment to accruals	0.8				0.2

Accrual at March 31	$	6.9			$	14.5




Reconciliation of accruals and charges to restructuring and other costs, net:
	Six Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015				2014
Additional accruals and adjustments to accruals (see table above)	$	1			$	2.6

Acquisition expenses	10.8				2.8

Integration expenses	5.9				12.7

Net property, plant and equipment	1.9				6.6

Severance and other employee expense	0.1				0.2

Equipment and inventory relocation costs	0.6				2.2

Facility carrying costs	2.1				3.4

Other expense	0.2				1.3

Total restructuring and other costs, net	$	22.6			$	31.8

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax Provision	Income Taxes

	The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 were 33.6% and 33.3%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 were 42.7% and 38.9%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 were different than the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of state taxes, the ability to claim the domestic manufacturer’s deduction against U.S. taxable earnings and a tax rate differential with respect to foreign earnings. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 were different than the statutory rate primarily due to a $9.6 million charge to income tax expense to record the impact of the state of New York’s March 31, 2014 income tax law change which reduced the tax rate for qualified New York State manufacturers to zero percent effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 and thereby rendered a previously recorded deferred tax asset, net of certain deferred tax liabilities, to no longer have any value. Additionally, the effective tax rates were different than the statutory rate due to the impact of state taxes and a tax rate differential with respect to foreign earnings.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories

	We value substantially all of our U.S. inventories at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on the LIFO inventory valuation method, which we believe generally results in a better matching of current costs and revenues than under the FIFO inventory valuation method. In periods of increasing costs, the LIFO method generally results in higher cost of goods sold than under the FIFO method. In periods of decreasing costs, the results are generally the opposite. Since LIFO is designed for annual determinations, it is possible to make an actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method only at the end of each fiscal year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, we base interim LIFO estimates on management’s projection of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. We value all other inventories at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using methods which approximate cost computed on a FIFO basis. These other inventories represent primarily foreign inventories and certain inventoried spare parts and supplies inventories. Inventories were as follows (in millions):


		March 31,			September 30,
		2015			2014
	Finished goods and work in process	$	397.5		$	421.8

	Raw materials	480.3			465.7

	Spare parts and supplies	220.5			225.3

	Inventories at FIFO cost	1,098.30			1,112.80

	LIFO reserve	(84.6		)	(83.6		)
	Net inventories	$	1,013.70		$	1,029.20

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure	Debt

	At March 31, 2015, our Credit Facility and Our Notes were unsecured. For more information regarding certain of our debt characteristics, see “Note 8. Debt” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2014 Form 10-K. The following were individual components of debt (in millions):


		March 31,		September 30,
		2015		2014
	4.45% notes due March 2019	$	349.8	$	349.8

	3.50% notes due March 2020	348.1		347.9

	4.90% notes due March 2022	399.5		399.4

	4.00% notes due March 2023	347.2		347

	Term loan facility	916.9		947.5

	Revolving credit and swing facilities	152		120.3

	Receivables-backed financing facility	225		460

	Other debt	10.9		12.8

	Total debt	2,749.40		2,984.70

	Less current portion of debt	126.4		132.6

	Long-term debt due after one year	$	2,623.00	$	2,852.10


	A portion of the debt classified as long-term, principally our Credit Facility and Receivables Facility, may be paid down earlier than scheduled at our discretion without penalty. Certain restrictive covenants govern our maximum availability under the Credit Facility and Receivables Facility. We test and report our compliance with these covenants as required and are in compliance with all of our covenants at March 31, 2015.

	Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility

	On September 27, 2012, we entered into a Credit Facility with an original maximum principal amount of approximately $2.7 billion before scheduled payments. The Credit Facility includes a $1.475 billion, 5-year revolving credit facility and a $1.223 billion amended maximum principal amount, 5-year term loan facility. At March 31, 2015, we had $40.7 million of outstanding letters of credit not drawn upon and available borrowings under the revolving credit portion of the Credit Facility exceeded $1.3 billion.

	Receivables-Backed Financing Facility

	On September 15, 2014, we amended our Receivables Facility which extended the maturity date from December 18, 2015 to October 24, 2017 and maintained the size of the facility at $700.0 million. The borrowing rate, which consists of a blend of the market rate for asset-backed commercial paper and the one month LIBOR rate plus a utilization fee, was 0.91% and 0.89% as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The commitment fee for this facility was 0.25% and 0.25% as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. At March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, maximum available borrowings, excluding amounts outstanding, under this facility were approximately $570.8 million and $647.7 million, respectively. The carrying amount of accounts receivable collateralizing the maximum available borrowings at March 31, 2015 was approximately $756.9 million. We have continuing involvement with the underlying receivables as we provide credit and collections services pursuant to the securitization agreement.

	Proposed Transaction with MeadWestvaco

	Our Credit Facility and Receivables Facility include “change of control” default/termination provisions and, accordingly, we anticipate refinancing or amending these facilities in connection with the consummation of the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco. Although we believe we will be able to obtain any necessary amendments or refinancings at a reasonable cost, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in obtaining such amendments or refinancings. In addition, Our Notes require us to make a change of control offer at 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, upon the occurrence of both a change of control and a related down-grade to non-investment grade (or a related withdrawal of the investment grade rating) by both S&P and Moody’s rating agencies within sixty days of the change of control or the public announcement thereof. We do not currently anticipate a ratings event that would trigger the obligation to make a change of control offer in respect to Our Notes, but there can be no assurance that such a ratings event will not occur in connection with the proposed transaction or otherwise.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value	Fair Value

	Assets and Liabilities Measured or Disclosed at Fair Value

	We estimate fair values in accordance with ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurement”. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures required about fair value measurements. Specifically, ASC 820 sets forth a definition of fair value and a hierarchy prioritizing the inputs to valuation techniques. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 defines levels within the hierarchy based on the availability of quoted prices for identical items in active markets, similar items in active or inactive markets and valuation techniques using observable and unobservable inputs. We incorporate credit valuation adjustments to reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in our fair value measurements.

	We disclose the fair value of our pension and postretirement assets and liabilities in our Fiscal 2014 Form 10-K and the fair value of our long-term debt below. We have, or from time to time may have, various assets or liabilities whose fair value are not significant, such as supplemental retirement savings plans that are nonqualified deferred compensation plans pursuant to which assets are invested primarily in mutual funds, interest rate derivatives, commodity derivatives or other similar classes of assets or liabilities.

	The following table summarizes the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt (in millions):


		March 31, 2015				September 30, 2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	March 2019 Notes(1)	$	349.8	$	376.6	$	349.8	$	376.1

	March 2020 Notes(1)	348.1		365.1		347.9		357.5

	March 2022 Notes(1)	399.5		443.3		399.4		430

	March 2023 Notes(1)	347.2		363		347		357.9

	Term loan facilities(2)	916.9		916.9		947.5		947.5

	Revolving credit and swing facilities(2)	152		152		120.3		120.3

	Receivables-backed financing facility(2)	225		225		460		460

	Other debt(2)(3)	10.9		11.2		12.8		13

	Total debt	$	2,749.40	$	2,853.10	$	2,984.70	$	3,062.30



	-1	Fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy since the notes trade infrequently. Fair value is based on quoted market prices.

	-2	Fair value approximates the carrying amount as the variable interest rates reprice frequently at observable current market rates. As such, fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

	-3	Fair value for certain debt is estimated based on the discounted value of future cash flows using observable current market interest rates offered for debt of similar credit risk and maturity. As such, fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

	In the absence of quoted prices in active markets, considerable judgment is required in developing estimates of fair value. Estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we could realize in a current market transaction or the amounts at which we could settle our debt.

	Accounts Receivable Sales Agreement

	During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we entered into an agreement (the “A/R Sales Agreement”), to sell to a third party financial institution all of the short term receivables generated from certain customer trade accounts, on a revolving basis, until the agreement is terminated by either party. Transfers under this agreement meet the requirements to be accounted for as sales in accordance with the “Transfers and Servicing” guidance in ASC 860. On February 3, 2014, the A/R Sales Agreement was amended to increase the maximum amount of receivables that may be sold at any point in time to $205 million. Subsequently, on February 27, 2015, the A/R Sales Agreement was amended to increase the maximum amount of receivables to $300 million. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, we sold and derecognized $564.6 million of gross receivables, of which $453.7 million were collected by the third party financial institution. As of March 31, 2015, we have a receivable of $34.2 million from the financial institution. Cash proceeds of $87.1 million were received from the financial institution during the six months ended March 31, 2015, including payment of the September 30, 2014 receivable balance of $10.4 million. During the six months ended March 31, 2014, we sold and derecognized $344.1 million of gross receivables, of which $200.4 million were collected by the third party financial institution, and had a $13.0 million receivable from the financial institution. The remaining $130.7 million represents the net sale of receivables sold as of March 31, 2014 which were funded by the third party financial institution. Cash proceeds related to these sales are included in cash from operating activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows in the accounts receivable line item. The loss on sale is recorded in interest income and other income (expense), net and is not material as it is currently less than 1% per annum of the receivables sold for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014.

	Although the sales are made without recourse, we maintain continuing involvement with the sold receivables as we provide collections services related to the transferred assets. The associated servicing liability is not material given the high quality of the customers underlying the receivables and the anticipated short collection period.

	Financial Instruments not Recognized at Fair Value

	Financial instruments not recognized at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, certain other current assets, short-term debt, accounts payable, certain other current liabilities, and long-term debt. With the exception of long-term debt, the carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short maturities.

	Fair Value of Nonfinancial Assets and Nonfinancial Liabilities

	We measure certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets and liabilities include cost and equity method investments when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquisition or in a nonmonetary exchange, and property, plant and equipment and intangible assets that are written down to fair value when they are held for sale or determined to be impaired. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, we did not have any significant nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	Retirement Plans

	We have defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans primarily for certain U.S. and Canadian employees. In addition, under several labor contracts, we make payments, based on hours worked, into multiemployer pension plan trusts established for the benefit of certain collective bargaining employees in facilities both inside and outside the U.S. We also have a SERP and other non-qualified defined benefit pension plans that provide unfunded supplemental retirement benefits to certain of our executives and former executives. The SERP provides for incremental pension benefits in excess of those offered in our principal pension plan. For more information regarding our retirement plans, see “*Note 12. Retirement Plans*” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2014 Form 10-K.

	The following table represents a summary of the components of net pension cost (in millions):


		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	7.9		$	7.8		$	15.6		$	15.7

	Interest cost	46.8			54.5			96.4			109.5

	Expected return on plan assets	(61.3		)	(63.2		)	(126.3		)	(127.1		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	8.4			4.4			17.1			8.7

	Amortization of prior service cost	0.8			0.3			1.1			0.6

	Settlement loss recognized	—			—			20			—

	Company defined benefit plan expense	2.6			3.8			23.9			7.4

	Multiemployer and other plans	1.5			1.7			2.8			3.2

	Net pension cost	$	4.1		$	5.5		$	26.7		$	10.6


	During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, we made contributions of $51.8 million and $58.2 million respectively, to our qualified pension and supplemental defined benefit plans. Based on our current assumptions, we estimate contributing approximately $156 million in fiscal 2015 to our qualified and supplemental defined benefit pension plans. This excludes the impact of the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco and other future mergers, business combinations or other transactions, the occurrence of which could cause our estimate to change materially. However, it is possible that our assumptions may change, actual market performance may vary or we may decide to contribute additional amounts. In contemplation of the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco, certain qualified pension plans were consolidated during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, we funded an aggregate of $53.6 million and $90.8 million, respectively, to our qualified and supplemental defined benefit pension plans.

	During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we partially settled obligations of one of our defined benefit pension plans through lump sum payments to certain eligible former employees who were not currently receiving a monthly benefit. Eligible former employees whose present value of future pension benefits exceed a certain minimum threshold had the option to either voluntarily accept or not accept the offer (the “Pension Offer”) and continue to be entitled to their monthly benefit upon retirement. Former employees with an aggregate pension benefit obligation of $163.7 million accepted the Pension Offer. Lump sum payments of $135.1 million were made out of existing plan assets. The settlement resulted in a gain of $28.6 million that was more than offset by the loss on remeasurement of the pension benefit obligation of approximately $32.5 million and was primarily due to the impact of a lower discount rate and mortality table changes. As a result, we recorded a net $3.9 million loss to other comprehensive income. The settlement also resulted in a $20.0 million pre-tax non-cash charge to earnings which is included in the line item “Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The impact of the settlement is included in the net periodic pension cost table above. As a result of the remeasurement, the pension benefit obligation increased $22.1 million due to changes in coverage for certain employees covered by the United Steelworkers master agreement as discussed below, with an offset recorded to the unrecognized prior service cost component of other comprehensive income.

	The postretirement benefit plans provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for certain salaried and hourly employees who meet specified age and service requirements as defined by the plans. The following table represents a summary of the components of the postretirement benefits costs (in millions):


		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	0.2		$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.6

	Interest cost	0.9			1.5			2.1			3

	Amortization of net actuarial gain	(0.3		)	(0.1		)	(0.6		)	(0.3		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	(0.5		)	(0.4		)	(1.0		)	(0.7		)
	Curtailment gain recognized	—			—			(8.1		)	—

	Postretirement plan expense (income)	$	0.3		$	1.3		$	(7.3	)	$	2.6


	During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, we funded an aggregate of $3.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively, to our postretirement benefit plans. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, we contributed an aggregate of $2.8 million and $5.7 million, respectively, to our postretirement benefit plans.

	During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we entered into a master agreement with the United Steelworkers Union that applies to substantially all of our facilities they represent. The agreement has a six year term and covers a number of specific items such as wages, medical coverage and certain other benefit programs. Individual facilities will continue to have local agreements for subjects not covered by the master agreement and those agreements will continue to have staggered terms. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, changes in retiree medical coverage for certain employees covered by the United Steelworkers master agreement resulted in the recognition of a $8.1 million pre-tax non-cash curtailment gain included in the line item “Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The aggregate postretirement benefit obligation decreased $0.9 million as a result of the curtailment.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	Share-Based Compensation

	Stock Options

	Options granted under our plans generally have an exercise price equal to the closing market price on the date of grant, generally vest in three years and have 10-year contractual terms. However, a portion of our grants are subject to earlier expense recognition due to retirement eligibility rules. During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we granted options to purchase 257,080 shares of our Common Stock to certain employees. These grants were valued at $24.93 per share using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The approximate assumptions used were: an expected term of 7.1 years; an expected volatility of 40.9%; expected dividends of 1.4%; and a risk free rate of 2.0%. We amortize these costs using the accelerated attribution method.

	The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 was $2.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 was $3.6 million and $15.7 million, respectively. The table below summarizes the changes in all stock options during the six months ended March 31, 2015:


		Shares		Weighted		Weighted	Aggregate
				Average		Average	Intrinsic
				Exercise		Remaining	Value
				Price		Contractual	(in millions)
						Term
						(in years)
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	2,074,644		$	30.65

	Granted(1)	257,080		64.9

	Exercised	(98,795	)	27.81

	Forfeited	(22,080	)	43.45

	Outstanding at March 31, 2015	2,210,849		$	34.63	5.7	$	66.1

	Exercisable at March 31, 2015	1,383,209		$	24.64	3.9	$	55.1



	-1	If the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco is consummated before December 31, 2017, stock options granted to employees in fiscal 2015 will be prorated based on the number of days elapsed from January 1, 2015 through, and including, the effective date of the proposed transaction, and the denominator of which is 1,096. If the proposed transaction is not consummated before December 31, 2017, the awards will not be prorated.

	Restricted Stock

	Restricted stock is typically granted annually to non-employee directors and certain of our employees. Our non-employee director awards have a service condition, generally vest over one year and are treated as issued and carry dividend and voting rights until they vest. The vesting provisions for our employee awards may vary from grant to grant; however, vesting generally is contingent upon meeting various service and/or performance goals and the grants generally vest over a period of three years. Subject to the level of performance attained, the target award of the performance grants may be increased up to 200% of target or decreased to zero depending upon the terms of the individual grant.

	During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, pursuant to our 2004 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended, we granted 15,255 shares of restricted stock to our non-employee directors and we granted target awards of 388,210 shares of restricted stock to certain of our employees.

	The aggregate fair value of restricted stock that vested during each of the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 was $82.3 million. The aggregate fair value of restricted stock that vested during each of the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 was $28.5 million.

	The table below summarizes the changes in unvested restricted stock awards during the six months ended March 31, 2015:


		Shares		Weighted Average
				Grant Date Fair
				Value
	Unvested at September 30, 2014	1,745,360		$	40.39

	Granted(1)	1,027,715		44.66

	Vested	(1,268,030	)	31.99

	Forfeited	(44,350	)	45.4

	Unvested at March 31, 2015 (2)	1,460,695		$	50.53


	-1	Fiscal 2015 target awards to employees of 388,210 shares may be increased to 200% of the target or decreased to zero, subject to the level of performance attained. The awards are reflected in the table at the target award amount of 100%. If the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco is consummated before December 31, 2017, target awards granted to employees in fiscal 2015 will be prorated based on the number of days elapsed from January 1, 2015 through, and including, the effective date of the proposed transaction, and the denominator of which is 1,096; and the performance period applicable to each award will end and the performance goals will be determined at that time in accordance with the applicable grant letter. If the proposed transaction is not consummated before December 31, 2017, the awards will not be prorated. During fiscal 2015, restricted shares granted in fiscal 2012 achieved the performance condition based on the Cash Flow to Equity Ratio (as defined in the applicable grant letter) at 200% of target. This achievement resulted in the issuance and vesting of an additional 624,250 shares in fiscal 2015.


	-2	Target awards granted to employees in fiscal 2014 and 2013, net of subsequent forfeitures, were 457,200 and 572,560 shares, respectively. These awards may be increased up to 200% of target or decreased to zero, subject to the level of performance attained. The awards are reflected in the table at the target award amount of 100%.

	For additional information about our share-based payment awards, refer to “*Note 14. Share-Based Compensation*” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of the Fiscal 2014 Form 10-K.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies

	Environmental and Other Matters

	Environmental compliance requirements are a significant factor affecting our business. We employ processes in the manufacture of pulp, paperboard and other products which result in various discharges, emissions and wastes. These processes are subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations. We operate and expect to continue to operate under environmental permits and similar authorizations from various governmental authorities that regulate such discharges, emissions and wastes. Environmental programs in the U.S. are primarily established, administered and enforced at the federal level by the EPA. In addition, many of the jurisdictions in which we operate have adopted equivalent or more stringent environmental laws and regulations or have enacted their own parallel environmental programs.

	In 2004, the EPA promulgated a MACT regulation that established air emissions standards and other requirements for industrial, commercial and institutional boilers. The rule was challenged by third parties in litigation, and in 2007, the United States Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit issued a decision vacating and remanding the rule to the EPA. Under court order, the EPA published a set of four interrelated rules in March 2011, commonly referred to as Boiler MACT. The EPA also published notice in March 2011 that it would reconsider certain aspects of Boiler MACT in order to address “difficult technical issues” raised during the public comment period. On December 20, 2012, the EPA took final action on its proposed reconsideration of certain provisions of the March 2011 Boiler MACT rules. The Boiler MACT reconsideration rules included certain adjustments based on the EPA’s review of existing and new data provided after the March 2011 standards were issued. For the Company’s boilers where capital may be necessary for compliance, the final December 2012 rule requires compliance by January 31, 2016, subject to a possible one-year extension. Several environmental, industry and other groups have filed legal challenges to the December 2012 final Boiler MACT rules. We cannot predict with certainty how any of the legal challenges will impact our Boiler MACT strategies and costs.

	Certain jurisdictions in which the Company has manufacturing facilities or other investments have taken actions to address climate change. In the U.S., the EPA has issued the Clean Air Act permitting regulations applicable to certain facilities that emit GHG. However, on June 23, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision holding that the EPA may not treat GHG emissions as an air pollutant for purposes of determining whether a source is a major source required to obtain a PSD or Title V permit. The Supreme Court also said that the EPA could continue to require that PSD permits otherwise required based on emissions of conventional pollutants contain limitations on GHG emissions based on the application of best available control technology. The EPA is continuing to examine the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision, including how the EPA will need to revise its permitting regulations and related impacts to state programs. The EPA also has promulgated a rule requiring facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide equivalent per year to file an annual report of their emissions. Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces in which RockTenn has manufacturing operations are also taking measures to reduce GHG emissions. For example, Quebec has become a member of the Western Climate Initiative, which is a collaboration among California and certain Canadian provinces, Mexican states and tribes that have joined together to create a cap-and-trade program to reduce GHG emissions. On November 18, 2009, Quebec adopted a target of reducing GHG emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. In December 2011, Quebec issued a final regulation establishing a regional cap-and-trade program that required reductions in GHG emissions from covered emitters as of January 1, 2013. Enactment of the Quebec cap-and-trade program may require expenditures to meet required GHG emission reduction requirements in future years. Such requirements also may increase energy costs above the level of general inflation and result in direct compliance and other costs. However, we do not believe that compliance with the requirements of the new cap-and-trade program will have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition. We have systems in place for tracking the GHG emissions from our energy-intensive facilities, and we carefully monitor developments in climate change laws, regulations and policies to assess the potential impact of such developments on our operations and financial condition.

	In addition to Boiler MACT and GHG, the EPA has finalized a number of other environmental rules that may impact the pulp and paper industry, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards for nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and fine particulate matter. The EPA is also revising existing environmental standards and developing several new rules that may apply to the industry in the future. We cannot currently predict with certainty how any future changes in environmental laws, regulations and/or enforcement practices will affect our business; however, it is possible that our compliance with new environmental standards may require substantial additional capital expenditures and/or operating costs could increase materially.

	On October 1, 2010, our Hopewell, VA containerboard mill received a NOV from EPA Region III alleging certain violations of regulations that require treatment of kraft pulping condensates. The Company and the government have agreed in principle on the terms of the settlement to resolve the allegations set forth in the NOV. We expect to finalize the settlement in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 and do not believe that any fines or compliance obligations required as a condition of settlement will have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We also are involved in various other administrative proceedings relating to environmental matters that arise in the normal course of business. Although the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty and we cannot at this time estimate any reasonably possible losses, management does not believe that the currently expected outcome of any environmental proceedings and claim that are pending or threatened against us will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

	We also face potential liability under CERCLA and analogous state laws as a result of releases, or threatened releases, of hazardous substances into the environment from various sites owned and operated by third parties at which Company-generated wastes have allegedly been deposited. Generators of hazardous substances sent to off-site disposal locations at which environmental problems exist, as well as the owners of those sites and certain other classes of persons, all of whom are referred to as PRPs and are, in most instances, subject to joint and several liability for response costs for the investigation and remediation of such sites under CERCLA and analogous state laws, regardless of fault or the lawfulness of the original disposal. Liability is typically shared with other PRPs and costs are commonly allocated according to relative amounts of waste deposited and other factors.

	On January 26, 2009, Smurfit-Stone and certain of its subsidiaries filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Smurfit-Stone’s Canadian subsidiaries also filed to reorganize in Canada. We believe that matters relating to previously identified third party PRP sites and certain facilities formerly owned or operated by Smurfit-Stone have been or will be satisfied claims in the Smurfit-Stone bankruptcy proceedings. However, we may face additional liability for cleanup activity at sites that existed prior to bankruptcy discharge, but are not currently identified. Some of these liabilities may be satisfied from existing bankruptcy reserves. We may also face liability under CERCLA and analogous state and other laws at other ongoing and future remediation sites where we may be a PRP. In addition to the above mentioned sites, certain of our current or former locations are being studied or remediated under various environmental laws and regulations. Based on current facts and assumptions, we do not believe that the costs of these projects will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. However, the discovery of additional contamination or the imposition of additional obligations at these or other sites in the future could result in additional costs.

	We believe that we can assert claims for indemnification pursuant to existing rights we have under settlement and purchase agreements in connection with certain of our existing remediation sites. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful with respect to any claim regarding these indemnification rights or that, if we are successful, any amounts paid pursuant to the indemnification rights will be sufficient to cover all our costs and expenses. We also cannot predict with certainty whether we will be required to perform remediation projects at other locations, and it is possible that our remediation requirements and costs could increase materially in the future and exceed current reserves. In addition, we cannot currently assess with certainty the impact that future federal, state or other environmental laws, regulations or enforcement practices will have on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

	Our operations are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to workplace safety and worker health, including OSHA and related regulations. OSHA, among other things, establishes asbestos and noise standards and regulates the use of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Although we do not use asbestos in manufacturing our products, some of our facilities contain asbestos. For those facilities where asbestos is present, we believe we have properly contained the asbestos and/or have conducted training of our employees in an effort to ensure that no federal, state or local rules or regulations are violated in the maintenance of our facilities. We do not believe that future compliance with health and safety laws and regulations will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

	As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately $4.0 million reserved for environmental liabilities on an undiscounted basis, of which $2.5 million is included in other long-term liabilities and $1.5 million in other current liabilities. We believe the liability for these matters was adequately reserved at March 31, 2015.

	Litigation

	In late 2010, Smurfit-Stone was one of nine U.S. and Canadian containerboard producers named as defendants in a lawsuit, in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, alleging that these producers violated the Sherman Act by conspiring to limit the supply and fix the prices of containerboard from mid-2005 through November 8, 2010 (“Antitrust Litigation”). Plaintiffs have since amended their complaint by alleging a class period from February 15, 2004 through November 8, 2010. RockTenn CP, LLC, as the successor to Smurfit-Stone, is a defendant with respect to the period after Smurfit-Stone’s discharge from bankruptcy in June 30, 2010 through November 8, 2010. The complaint seeks treble damages and costs, including attorney’s fees. At this stage of the lawsuit, the court has granted the Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification and the class defendants, including RockTenn, have filed a petition to appeal that decision. We believe the allegations are without merit and will defend this lawsuit vigorously. However, at this stage of the litigation, we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome or estimate a range of reasonably possible losses.

	We are a defendant in a number of other lawsuits and claims arising out of the conduct of our business. While the ultimate results of such suits or other proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes the resolution of these other matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

	Guarantees

	We have made the following guarantees as of March 31, 2015:


	•	we have a 49% ownership interest in Seven Hills. The joint venture partners guarantee funding of net losses in proportion to their share of ownership;


	•	we have a wood chip processing contract with minimum purchase commitments which expires in 2017. As part of the agreement, we guarantee the third party contractors’ debt outstanding and have a security interest in the chipping equipment. At March 31, 2015, the maximum potential amount of future payments related to the guarantee was approximately $5 million, which decreases ratably over the life of the contract. In the event the guarantee on the contract is called, proceeds from the liquidation of the chipping equipment would be based on then current market value and we may not recover in full the guarantee payments made;


	•	as part of acquisitions, we have acquired unconsolidated entities for which we guarantee approximately $4 million in debt, primarily for bank loans; and


	•	we lease certain manufacturing and warehousing facilities and equipment under various operating leases. A substantial number of these leases require us to indemnify the lessor in the event that additional taxes are assessed due to a change in the tax law. We are unable to estimate our maximum exposure under these leases because it is dependent on changes in the tax law.

	Seven Hills Option

	Seven Hills commenced operations on March 29, 2001. Our partner in the Seven Hills joint venture has the option to require us to purchase its interest in Seven Hills, at a formula price, effective on the sixth or any subsequent anniversary of the commencement date by providing us notice two years prior to any such anniversary. The earliest date on which we could be required to purchase our partner’s interest is March 29, 2018. We have not recorded any liability for this unexercised option. We currently project this contingent obligation to purchase our partner’s interest (based on the formula) to be approximately $8 million at March 31, 2015, which would result in a purchase price of approximately 44% of our partner’s net equity reflected on Seven Hills’ March 31, 2015 balance sheet.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information

	We report our results of operations in the following four reportable segments: Corrugated Packaging, consisting of our containerboard mills and our corrugated converting operations; Consumer Packaging, consisting of our coated and uncoated paperboard mills and consumer packaging converting operations; Merchandising Displays, consisting of our display and contract packaging services; and Recycling, which consists of our recycled fiber brokerage and collection operations. Certain income and expenses are not allocated to our segments and, thus, the information that management uses to make operating decisions and assess performance does not reflect such amounts. Items not allocated to segments are reported as non-allocated expenses or in other line items in the table below after segment income.

	The following table shows selected operating data for our segments (in millions):


		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		March 31,								March 31,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
	Net sales (aggregate):
	Corrugated Packaging	$	1,727.90			$	1,651.70			$	3,496.10			$	3,303.60

	Consumer Packaging	485.6				489.3				964.4				961.4

	Merchandising Displays	212.6				213				450.8				397.6

	Recycling	75.8				90.1				156.1				189.7

	Total	$	2,501.90			$	2,444.10			$	5,067.40			$	4,852.30

	Less net sales (intersegment):
	Corrugated Packaging	$	30.7			$	36.5			$	63.2			$	66.2

	Consumer Packaging	6.2				5.3				13.7				11

	Merchandising Displays	4.4				4.6				10.3				9

	Recycling	5				4.1				10.4				9.9

	Total	$	46.3			$	50.5			$	97.6			$	96.1

	Net sales (unaffiliated customers):
	Corrugated Packaging	$	1,697.20			$	1,615.20			$	3,432.90			$	3,237.40

	Consumer Packaging	479.4				484				950.7				950.4

	Merchandising Displays	208.2				208.4				440.5				388.6

	Recycling	70.8				86				145.7				179.8

	Total	$	2,455.60			$	2,393.60			$	4,969.80			$	4,756.20

	Segment income:
	Corrugated Packaging	$	169.8			$	133.1			$	352.9			$	290.8

	Consumer Packaging	47.7				49.3				100.3				106.9

	Merchandising Displays	4.7				17				11.1				36.3

	Recycling	(0.4		)		2.8				1.4				2.9

	Segment income	221.8				202.2				465.7				436.9

	Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net	—				—				(11.9		)		—

	Restructuring and other costs, net	(17.2		)		(14.2		)		(22.6		)		(31.8		)
	Non-allocated expenses	(14.9		)		(19.0		)		(30.8		)		(39.0		)
	Interest expense	(23.0		)		(23.2		)		(46.3		)		(47.2		)
	Interest income and other income (expense), net	(0.5		)		(0.2		)		(0.3		)		(1.0		)
	Income before income taxes	166.2				145.6				353.8				317.9

	Income tax expense	(55.8		)		(62.1		)		(117.8		)		(123.8		)
	Consolidated net income	110.4				83.5				236				194.1

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.6		)		(0.7		)		(1.1		)		(1.6		)
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	109.8			$	82.8			$	234.9			$	192.5

Selected_Consolidating_Financi

Selected Consolidating Financial Statements of Parent, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Financial Statements for Parent, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors [Text Block]
		Selected Consolidating Financial Statements of Parent, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors

	The Company’s Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by our Guarantor Subsidiaries. The total assets, stockholders’ equity, revenues, earnings and cash flows from operating activities of the Guarantor Subsidiaries reflect the majority of the consolidated total of such items as of or for the periods reported. The Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries include: foreign operations in Canada, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico and China, certain non-operating U.S. subsidiaries and joint ventures not 100% owned.

	In accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, the following tables present condensed consolidating financial statements including the Parent, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries and eliminations. Such financial statements include the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 and Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014.


	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME


		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
										Non-
						Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
		(In millions)
	Net sales	$	—			$	2,241.90			$	387.6			$	(173.9	)		$	2,455.60

	Cost of goods sold	—				1,836.40				304.8				(142.7		)		1,998.50

	Gross profit	—				405.5				82.8				(31.2		)		457.1

	Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.1				228.4				24.1				—				252.6

	Restructuring and other costs, net	11.7				5.4				0.1				—				17.2

	Operating profit	(11.8		)		171.7				58.6				(31.2		)		187.3

	Interest expense	(23.0		)		(0.4		)		(5.6		)		6				(23.0		)

	Interest income and other income (expense), net	1				(27.0		)		0.3				25.2				(0.5		)

	Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	—				2.4				—				—				2.4

	Equity in income of consolidated entities	131.4				28.9				—				(160.3		)		—

	Income before income taxes	97.6				175.6				53.3				(160.3		)		166.2

	Income tax benefit (expense)	12.2				(52.7		)		(15.3		)		—				(55.8		)

	Consolidated net income	109.8				122.9				38				(160.3		)		110.4

	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(0.6		)		—				—				(0.6		)

	Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	109.8			$	122.3			$	38			$	(160.3	)		$	109.8

	Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	85.8			$	99.4			$	10.9			$	(110.3	)		$	85.8







	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME



		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
										Non-
						Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
		(In millions)
	Net sales	$	—			$	2,170.90			$	394.1			$	(171.4	)		$	2,393.60

Cost of goods sold	—				1,780.20				326.7				(140.5		)		1,966.40

Gross profit	—				390.7				67.4				(30.9		)		427.2

Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				218.1				27.4				—				245.5

Restructuring and other costs, net	0.2				15				(1.0		)		—				14.2

Operating profit	(0.2		)		157.6				41				(30.9		)		167.5

Interest expense	(22.1		)		(1.2		)		(7.2		)		7.3				(23.2		)

Interest income and other income (expense), net	2.1				(26.0		)		0.1				23.6				(0.2		)

Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	—				1.5				—				—				1.5

Equity in income of consolidated entities	95.1				18.8				—				(113.9		)		—

Income before income taxes	74.9				150.7				33.9				(113.9		)		145.6

Income tax benefit (expense)	7.9				(59.7		)		(10.3		)		—				(62.1		)

Consolidated net income	82.8				91				23.6				(113.9		)		83.5

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(0.8		)		0.1				—				(0.7		)

Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	82.8			$	90.2			$	23.7			$	(113.9	)		$	82.8

Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	72.8			$	81.2			$	11.7			$	(92.9	)		$	72.8








CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME


	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Net sales	$	—			$	4,532.30			$	797.7			$	(360.2	)		$	4,969.80

Cost of goods sold	—				3,706.40				632.7				(295.9		)		4,043.20

Gross profit	—				825.9				165				(64.3		)		926.6

Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.1				440.2				56				—				496.3

Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net	—				11.9				—				—				11.9

Restructuring and other costs, net	11.7				10.5				0.4				—				22.6

Operating profit	(11.8		)		363.3				108.6				(64.3		)		395.8

Interest expense	(46.2		)		(0.8		)		(10.1		)		10.8				(46.3		)

Interest income and other income (expense), net	2.2				(56.5		)		0.5				53.5				(0.3		)

Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	—				4.6				—				—				4.6

Equity in income of consolidated entities	269.9				56.7				—				(326.6		)		—

Income before income taxes	214.1				367.3				99				(326.6		)		353.8

Income tax benefit (expense)	20.8				(109.3		)		(29.3		)		—				(117.8		)

Consolidated net income	234.9				258				69.7				(326.6		)		236

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(0.9		)		(0.2		)		—				(1.1		)

Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	234.9			$	257.1			$	69.5			$	(326.6	)		$	234.9

Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	189.1			$	213.1			$	26.6			$	(239.7	)		$	189.1







CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Net sales	$	—			$	4,312.70			$	777.8			$	(334.3	)		$	4,756.20

Cost of goods sold	—				3,512.10				640.6				(271.5		)		3,881.20

Gross profit	—				800.6				137.2				(62.8		)		875

Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.5				425.4				54.4				—				480.3

Restructuring and other costs, net	0.4				31.4				—				—				31.8

Operating profit	(0.9		)		343.8				82.8				(62.8		)		362.9

Interest expense	(44.6		)		(2.6		)		(14.4		)		14.4				(47.2		)

Interest income and other income (expense), net	4.3				(53.5		)		(0.2		)		48.4				(1.0		)

Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	—				3.2				—				—				3.2

Equity in income of consolidated entities	217.6				36.6				—				(254.2		)		—

Income before income taxes	176.4				327.5				68.2				(254.2		)		317.9

Income tax benefit (expense)	16.1				(119.5		)		(20.4		)		—				(123.8		)

Consolidated net income	192.5				208				47.8				(254.2		)		194.1

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(1.5		)		(0.1		)		—				(1.6		)

Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	192.5			$	206.5			$	47.7			$	(254.2	)		$	192.5

Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	175.8			$	191.5			$	26.9			$	(218.4	)		$	175.8




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS



	31-Mar-15
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21.4			$	2.7			$	15.6			$	—			$	39.7

Restricted cash	8.8				—				—				—				8.8

Accounts receivable, net	—				42.9				960.3				(29.2		)		974

Inventories	—				854.4				159.3				—				1,013.70

Other current assets	22.2				181.7				33.4				(0.4		)		236.9

Intercompany receivables	57.2				1.3				3.2				(61.7		)		—

Total current assets	109.6				1,083.00				1,171.80				(91.3		)		2,273.10

Net property, plant and equipment	—				5,436.50				348.6				—				5,785.10

Goodwill	—				1,832.70				83.4				—				1,916.10

Intangibles, net	—				635.2				9.6				—				644.8

Intercompany notes receivable	248.2				775.8				—				(1,024.0		)		—

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	6,891.20				401.5				—				(7,292.7		)		—

Other assets	24.6				164.2				17.8				(4.8		)		201.8

	$	7,273.60			$	10,328.90			$	1,631.20			$	(8,412.8	)		$	10,820.90

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	$	122.2			$	3.4			$	0.8			$	—			$	126.4

Accounts payable	0.1				722.4				96.5				(29.2		)		789.8

Accrued compensation and benefits	—				186.4				26.2				—				212.6

Other current liabilities	14.5				150.5				25.8				(0.4		)		190.4

Intercompany payables	—				31.3				30.4				(61.7		)		—

Total current liabilities	136.8				1,094.00				179.7				(91.3		)		1,319.20

Long-term debt due after one year	2,331.30				0.2				291.5				—				2,623.00

Intercompany notes payable	374.9				236				413.1				(1,024.0		)		—

Pension liabilities, net of current portion	—				891.1				135.2				—				1,026.30

Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	—				55.8				38.8				—				94.6

Deferred income taxes	—				1,141.70				15.9				(4.8		)		1,152.80

Other long-term liabilities	4.1				156.2				4.3				—				164.6

Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—				7.1				6.3				—				13.4

Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholders’ equity	4,426.50				6,746.30				546.4				(7,292.7		)		4,426.50

Noncontrolling interests	—				0.5				—				—				0.5

Total equity	4,426.50				6,746.80				546.4				(7,292.7		)		4,427.00

	$	7,273.60			$	10,328.90			$	1,631.20			$	(8,412.8	)		$	10,820.90



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS



	30-Sep-14
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14.5			$	1.7			$	16.4			$	—			$	32.6

Restricted cash	8.8				—				—				—				8.8

Accounts receivable, net	—				93.5				1,048.10				(22.9		)		1,118.70

Inventories	—				852				177.2				—				1,029.20

Other current assets	34.6				205.9				35.4				(32.7		)		243.2

Intercompany receivables	87.2				6.3				13.5				(107.0		)		—

Total current assets	145.1				1,159.40				1,290.60				(162.6		)		2,432.50

Net property, plant and equipment	—				5,432.30				400.3				—				5,832.60

Goodwill	—				1,820.10				106.3				—				1,926.40

Intangibles, net	—				655.9				35.2				—				691.1

Intercompany notes receivable	266.5				607.6				—				(874.1		)		—

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	6,680.30				390.6				—				(7,070.9		)		—

Other assets	30.8				110.7				21.7				(6.1		)		157.1

	$	7,122.70			$	10,176.60			$	1,854.10			$	(8,113.7	)		$	11,039.70

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	$	91.7			$	3.9			$	37			$	—			$	132.6

Accounts payable	—				736.1				99.6				(22.9		)		812.8

Accrued compensation and benefits	—				196.1				28.3				—				224.4

Other current liabilities	14.2				178.6				30.6				(32.7		)		190.7

Intercompany payables	—				82.6				24.4				(107.0		)		—

Total current liabilities	105.9				1,197.30				219.9				(162.6		)		1,360.50

Long-term debt due after one year	2,330.90				0.2				521				—				2,852.10

Intercompany notes payable	374.9				236				263.2				(874.1		)		—

Pension liabilities, net of current portion	—				916.8				174.1				—				1,090.90

Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	—				57.6				44.1				—				101.7

Deferred income taxes	—				1,126.80				12.1				(6.1		)		1,132.80

Other long-term liabilities	4.2				173.6				2.8				—				180.6

Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—				7.7				6				—				13.7

Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholders’ equity	4,306.80				6,460.00				610.9				(7,070.9		)		4,306.80

Noncontrolling interests	—				0.6				—				—				0.6

Total equity	4,306.80				6,460.60				610.9				(7,070.9		)		4,307.40

	$	7,122.70			$	10,176.60			$	1,854.10			$	(8,113.7	)		$	11,039.70





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	35.6			$	418.2			$	113.2			$	(16.2	)		$	550.8

Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—				(230.3		)		(4.9		)		—				(235.2		)

Cash received for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—				3.7				—				—				3.7

Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	—				0.4				—				—				0.4

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—				8.1				0.3				—				8.4

Intercompany notes issued	—				(255.5		)		—				255.5				—

Intercompany notes proceeds	16.3				87.4				—				(103.7		)		—

Intercompany return of capital	1.5				—				—				(1.5		)		—

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	17.8				(386.2		)		(4.6		)		150.3				(222.7		)

Financing activities:
Additions to revolving credit facilities	131.5				—				17.4				—				148.9

Repayments of revolving credit facilities	(70.4		)		—				(38.6		)		—				(109.0		)

Additions to debt	—				—				110.9				—				110.9

Repayments of debt	(30.6		)		(0.1		)		(347.1		)		—				(377.8		)

Commercial card program	—				(0.6		)		—				—				(0.6		)

Debt issuance costs	(0.1		)		—				—				—				(0.1		)

Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	(26.8		)		—				—				—				(26.8		)

Purchases of common stock	(8.7		)		—				—				—				(8.7		)

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	—				16.4				—				—				16.4

Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	30				(46.3		)		16.3				—				—

Repayments to unconsolidated entity	—				(0.4		)		—				—				(0.4		)

Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(71.4		)		—				—				—				(71.4		)

Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	—				—				(1.3		)		—				(1.3		)

Intercompany notes borrowing	—				—				255.5				(255.5		)		—

Intercompany notes payments	—				—				(103.7		)		103.7				—

Intercompany capital distribution	—				—				(1.5		)		1.5				—

Intercompany dividends	—				—				(16.2		)		16.2				—

Net cash used for financing activities	(46.5		)		(31.0		)		(108.3		)		(134.1		)		(319.9		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—				—				(1.1		)		—				(1.1		)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6.9				1				(0.8		)		—				7.1

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	14.5				1.7				16.4				—				32.6

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	21.4			$	2.7			$	15.6			$	—			$	39.7


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	29.2			$	359			$	156.4			$	(13.5	)		$	531.1

Investing activities:

Capital expenditures	—				(216.7		)		(10.4		)		—				(227.1		)

Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(60.0		)		—				—				—				(60.0		)

Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	—				0.4				—				—				0.4

Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	—				—				3.8				—				3.8

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—				4.6				8.7				—				13.3

Proceeds from property, plant and equipment insurance settlement	—				3.4				—				—				3.4

Intercompany notes issued	—				(181.6		)		—				181.6				—

Intercompany notes proceeds	3.5				174.9				1.3				(179.7		)		—

Intercompany capital investment	—				(5.1		)		—				5.1				—

Intercompany capital distribution	—				—				(1.1		)		1.1				—

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(56.5		)		(220.1		)		2.3				8.1				(266.2		)

Financing activities:

Additions to revolving credit facilities	132.2				—				10.6				—				142.8

Repayments of revolving credit facilities	(118.8		)		—				(34.7		)		—				(153.5		)

Additions to debt	—				—				172.7				—				172.7

Repayments of debt	—				(0.1		)		(329.6		)		—				(329.7		)

Debt issuance costs	(0.2		)		—				—				—				(0.2		)

Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	(13.8		)		—				—				—				(13.8		)

Purchases of common stock	(53.0		)		—				—				—				(53.0		)

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	—				14.5				—				—				14.5

Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	130.2				(150.1		)		19.9				—				—

Advances from unconsolidated entity	—				2				—				—				2

Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(50.9		)		—				—				—				(50.9		)

Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	—				—				(0.3		)		—				(0.3		)

Intercompany notes borrowing	—				—				181.6				(181.6		)		—

Intercompany notes payments	—				(1.3		)		(178.4		)		179.7				—

Intercompany capital receipt	—				—				5.1				(5.1		)		—

Intercompany capital return	—				1.1				—				(1.1		)		—

Intercompany dividends	—				—				(13.5		)		13.5				—

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	25.7				(133.9		)		(166.6		)		5.4				(269.4		)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—				—				0.3				—				0.3

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1.6		)		5				(7.6		)		—				(4.2		)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	14.8				1.2				20.4				—				36.4

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	13.2			$	6.2			$	12.8			$	—			$	32.2

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

The Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2014 do not include a $23.6 million non-cash transaction between a Guarantor Subsidiary and a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to increase an intercompany capital investment in the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary and do not reflect the corresponding decrease in intercompany notes receivable. The additional investment into a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary was made through a non-cash conversion of an intercompany note receivable in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Investing activities:
Intercompany capital investment	$	—			$	(23.6	)		$	—			$	23.6			$	—

Intercompany notes receivable	—				23.6				—				(23.6		)		—


Financing activities:
Intercompany capital contributed	$	—			$	—			$	23.6			$	(23.6	)		$	—

Intercompany note payable	—				—				(23.6		)		23.6				—

Equity_and_Other_Comprehensive1

Equity and Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Comprehensive Income and Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity	The following is a summary of the changes in total equity for the six months ended March 31, 2015 (in millions):


		Rock-Tenn			Noncontrolling (1)			Total
		Company			Interests			Equity
		Shareholders’
		Equity
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	4,306.80		$	0.6		$	4,307.40

	Net income	234.9			0.2			235.1

	Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(45.9		)	—			(45.9		)

	Income tax benefit from share-based plans	16.4			—			16.4

	Compensation expense under share-based plans	21.4			—			21.4

	Cash dividends declared (per share - $0.508025)(2)	(71.6		)	—			(71.6		)

	Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			(0.3		)	(0.3		)

	Issuance of Class A common stock, net of stock received for minimum tax withholdings	(26.8		)	—			(26.8		)

	Purchases of Class A common stock	(8.7		)	—			(8.7		)

	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	4,426.50		$	0.5		$	4,427.00



	(1)	Excludes amounts related to contingently redeemable noncontrolling interests which are separately classified outside of permanent equity in the mezzanine section of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

	(2)	Includes cash dividends paid, and dividends declared but unpaid, related to the shares reserved but unissued to satisfy Smurfit-Stone bankruptcy claims.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The tables below summarize the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 (in millions):



		Deferred Loss on Cash Flow Hedges			Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans			Foreign Currency Items			Total (1)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(0.2	)	$	(498.2	)	$	3.1		$	(495.3	)

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			(16.7		)	(46.8		)	(63.5		)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			17.6			—			17.6

	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	—			0.9			(46.8		)	(45.9		)

	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(0.2	)	$	(497.3	)	$	(43.7	)	$	(541.2	)

	(1) All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interest.



		Deferred Loss on Cash Flow Hedges			Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Plans			Foreign Currency Items			Total (1)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	(0.2	)	$	(332.9	)	$	32.5		$	(300.6	)

	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			—			(21.2		)	(21.2		)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			5			(0.4		)	4.6

	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	—			5			(21.6		)	(16.6		)

	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(0.2	)	$	(327.9	)	$	10.9		$	(317.2	)


	(1) All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interest.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	The following tables summarize the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in millions):


		Three Months Ended									Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-15									March 31, 2014
		Pretax			Tax			Net of Tax			Pretax			Tax		Net of Tax
	Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement items (1)
	Actuarial losses (2)	$	(8.0	)	$	3.1		$	(4.9	)	$	(4.2	)	$	1.6	$	(2.6	)

	Prior service (costs) credits (2)	(0.4		)	0.1			(0.3		)	0.1			—		0.1

	Subtotal defined benefit plans	(8.4		)	3.2			(5.2		)	(4.1		)	1.6		(2.5		)


	Foreign currency translation adjustments
	Sale of foreign subsidiary (3)	—			—			—			0.4			—		0.4

	Total reclassifications for the period	$	(8.4	)	$	3.2		$	(5.2	)	$	(3.7	)	$	1.6	$	(2.1	)



	(1)	Amounts in parentheses indicate charges to earnings. Amounts pertaining to noncontrolling interests are excluded.

	(2)	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (See “*Note 11. Retirement Plans*” for additional details).

	(3)	Amount reflected in “Restructuring and other costs, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of income.


		Six Months Ended									Six Months Ended
		31-Mar-15									March 31, 2014
		Pretax			Tax			Net of Tax			Pretax			Tax		Net of Tax
	Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement items (1)
	Actuarial losses (2)	$	(36.3	)	$	13.8		$	(22.5	)	$	(8.2	)	$	3.1	$	(5.1	)

	Prior service credits (2)	8			(3.1		)	4.9			0.1			—		0.1

	Subtotal defined benefit plans	(28.3		)	10.7			(17.6		)	(8.1		)	3.1		(5.0		)


	Foreign currency translation adjustments
	Sale of foreign subsidiary (3)	—			—			—			0.4			—		0.4

	Total reclassifications for the period	$	(28.3	)	$	10.7		$	(17.6	)	$	(7.7	)	$	3.1	$	(4.6	)



	(1)	Amounts in parentheses indicate charges to earnings. Amounts pertaining to noncontrolling interests are excluded.

	(2)	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (See “*Note 11. Retirement Plans*” for additional details).

	(3)	Amount reflected in “Restructuring and other costs, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of earnings per share, basic and diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method and has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Stock Split (in millions, except per share data):



		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Basic earnings per share:
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	109.8	$	82.8	$	234.9	$	192.5

	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	140.8		143.6		140.5		143.8


	Basic earnings per share attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	0.78	$	0.58	$	1.67	$	1.34


	Diluted earnings per share:
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	109.8	$	82.8	$	234.9	$	192.5

	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	140.8		143.6		140.5		143.8

	Effect of dilutive stock options and non-participating securities	1.9		2.4		2.2		2.5

	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	142.7		146		142.7		146.3


	Diluted earnings per share attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	0.77	$	0.57	$	1.65	$	1.32

Restructuring_and_Other_Costs_1

Restructuring and Other Costs, Net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Other Costs, Net [Abstract]
Schedule of restructuring and other costs, net	The following table presents a summary of restructuring and other charges, net, related to active restructuring and other initiatives that we incurred during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, the cumulative recorded amount since we started the initiatives, and the total we expect to incur (in millions):

	Summary of Restructuring and Other Costs, Net


	Segment		Period		Net Property,				Severance				Equipment			Facility			Other			Total
					Plant and				and Other				and Inventory			Carrying			Costs
					Equipment (a)				Employee				Relocation			Costs
									Related				Costs
									Costs
	Corrugated		Current Qtr.		$	1			$	—			$	0.3		$	0.7		$	—		$	2
	Packaging(b)
			YTD Fiscal 2015		1.2				—				0.4			1.3			0.1			3

			Prior Year Qtr.		1				1.4				0.4			1.4			0.2			4.4

			YTD Fiscal 2014		2.5				1.4				1.7			2.5			0.3			8.4

			Cumulative		30.2				29.2				7.5			12.3			5.5			84.7

			Expected Total		30.2				29.2				7.5			13.5			5.5			85.9

	Consumer Packaging(c)		Current Qtr.		0.2				(0.2		)		0.2			0.2			0.2			0.6

			YTD Fiscal 2015		0.3				0.2				0.2			0.2			0.2			1.1

			Prior Year Qtr.		—				—				—			0.1			—			0.1

			YTD Fiscal 2014		—				(0.1		)		—			0.1			—			—

			Cumulative		4.7				1.7				0.7			0.6			0.4			8.1

			Expected Total		4.7				1.7				0.7			0.6			0.4			8.1

	Recycling(d)		Current Qtr.		0.3				—				—			0.3			0.2			0.8

			YTD Fiscal 2015		0.4				—				—			0.6			1			2

			Prior Year Qtr.		0.7				0.1				0.1			0.4			0.1			1.4

			YTD Fiscal 2014		4.1				—				0.5			0.8			2.2			7.6

			Cumulative		12.4				1.3				0.8			3.1			7.6			25.2

			Expected Total		12.4				1.3				1.3			3.3			7.7			26

	Other(e)		Current Qtr.		—				—				—			—			13.8			13.8

			YTD Fiscal 2015		—				—				—			—			16.5			16.5

			Prior Year Qtr.		—				—				—			—			8.3			8.3

			YTD Fiscal 2014		—				—				—			—			15.8			15.8

			Cumulative		0.1				0.2				0.1			—			162.3			162.7

			Expected Total		0.1				0.2				0.1			—			162.3			162.7

	Total		Current Qtr.		$	1.5			$	(0.2	)		$	0.5		$	1.2		$	14.2		$	17.2

			YTD Fiscal 2015		$	1.9			$	0.2			$	0.6		$	2.1		$	17.8		$	22.6

			Prior Year Qtr.		$	1.7			$	1.5			$	0.5		$	1.9		$	8.6		$	14.2

		YTD Fiscal 2014		$	6.6			$	1.3			$	2.2		$	3.4		$	18.3		$	31.8

		Cumulative		$	47.4			$	32.4			$	9.1		$	16		$	175.8		$	280.7

		Expected Total		$	47.4			$	32.4			$	9.6		$	17.4		$	175.9		$	282.7



(a)	We have defined “Net Property, Plant and Equipment” as used in this Note 6 to represent property, plant and equipment impairment losses, subsequent adjustments to fair value for assets classified as held for sale, subsequent (gains) or losses on sales of property, plant and equipment and related parts and supplies, and accelerated depreciation on such assets, if any.


(b)	The Corrugated Packaging segment current quarter and year to date charges primarily reflect on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities net of asset sales. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect closure costs from one announced closure and on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities net of asset sales. The cumulative charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of corrugated container plants and the closure of the Matane, Quebec containerboard mill, including gains and losses associated with the sale of assets associated with the closures. We have transferred a substantial portion of each closed facility's production to our other facilities.


(c)	The Consumer Packaging segment current quarter and year to date charges are primarily associated with on-going closure activity at previously closed facilities including the Cincinnati, OH specialty recycled paperboard mill. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect on-going closure activity at two previously closed converting facilities. The cumulative charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of converting facilities and a specialty recycled paperboard mill. We have transferred a substantial portion of each closed facility’s production to our other facilities.


(d)	The Recycling segment current quarter and year to date charges are primarily associated with the on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of one collection facility and on-going closure costs and impairment and fair value adjustments for assets at previously closed facilities. The cumulative charges primarily reflect the charges associated with the closure of collection facilities, including gains and losses associated with the sale of assets associated with the closures.


(e)	The expenses in the “Other” segment primarily reflect costs that we consider as Corporate, including the “Other Costs” column that primarily reflects costs incurred as a result of the completed Smurfit-Stone Acquisition, such as acquisition and integration expenses, and the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco. Also included in the “Other” segment are insignificant costs related to our Merchandising Displays segment. The pre-tax charges in the “Other Costs” column are summarized below (in millions):


	Acquisition				Integration				Total
	Expenses				Expenses
Current Qtr.	$	10.3			$	3.5			$	13.8

YTD Fiscal 2015	$	10.8			$	5.7			$	16.5

Prior Year Qtr.	$	1.4			$	6.9			$	8.3

YTD Fiscal 2014	$	2.8			$	13			$	15.8


Acquisition expenses include expenses associated with acquisitions or other business combinations, whether consummated or not, including the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco, as well as litigation expenses associated with acquisitions and business combinations, net of recoveries. Acquisition expenses primarily consist of advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees. Integration expenses primarily reflect severance and other employee costs, professional services, including work being performed to facilitate acquisition / merger integration, such as information systems integration costs, lease expense and other costs. Due to the complexity and duration of the integration activities, the precise amount expected to be incurred has not been quantified above. We expect integration activities related to the Smurfit-Stone Acquisition to be completed by the end of fiscal 2015.
Schedule of Restructuring and Other Costs Reserve By Type of Cost	The following table represents a summary of and the changes in the restructuring accrual, which is primarily composed of lease commitments, accrued severance and other employee costs, and a reconciliation of the restructuring accrual charges to the line item “Restructuring and other costs, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (in millions):


		Six Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Accrual at beginning of fiscal year	$	10.9			$	21.8

	Additional accruals	0.2				2.4

	Payments	(5.0		)		(9.9		)
	Adjustment to accruals	0.8				0.2

	Accrual at March 31	$	6.9			$	14.5




	Reconciliation of accruals and charges to restructuring and other costs, net:
		Six Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Additional accruals and adjustments to accruals (see table above)	$	1			$	2.6

	Acquisition expenses	10.8				2.8

	Integration expenses	5.9				12.7

	Net property, plant and equipment	1.9				6.6

	Severance and other employee expense	0.1				0.2

	Equipment and inventory relocation costs	0.6				2.2

	Facility carrying costs	2.1				3.4

	Other expense	0.2				1.3

	Total restructuring and other costs, net	$	22.6			$	31.8

Schedule of Restructuring Costs Included in Other Expenses
		The expenses in the “Other” segment primarily reflect costs that we consider as Corporate, including the “Other Costs” column that primarily reflects costs incurred as a result of the completed Smurfit-Stone Acquisition, such as acquisition and integration expenses, and the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco. Also included in the “Other” segment are insignificant costs related to our Merchandising Displays segment. The pre-tax charges in the “Other Costs” column are summarized below (in millions):


		Acquisition				Integration				Total
		Expenses				Expenses
	Current Qtr.	$	10.3			$	3.5			$	13.8

	YTD Fiscal 2015	$	10.8			$	5.7			$	16.5

	Prior Year Qtr.	$	1.4			$	6.9			$	8.3

	YTD Fiscal 2014	$	2.8			$	13			$	15.8


	Acquisition expenses include expenses associated with acquisitions or other business combinations, whether consummated or not, including the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco, as well as litigation expenses associated with acquisitions and business combinations, net of recoveries. Acquisition expenses primarily consist of advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees. Integration expenses primarily reflect severance and other employee costs, professional services, including work being performed to facilitate acquisition / merger integration, such as information systems integration costs, lease expense and other costs. Due to the complexity and duration of the integration activities, the precise amount expected to be incurred has not been quantified above. We expect integration activities related to the Smurfit-Stone Acquisition to be completed by the end of fiscal 2015.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule of inventories	Inventories were as follows (in millions):


		March 31,			September 30,
		2015			2014
	Finished goods and work in process	$	397.5		$	421.8

	Raw materials	480.3			465.7

	Spare parts and supplies	220.5			225.3

	Inventories at FIFO cost	1,098.30			1,112.80

	LIFO reserve	(84.6		)	(83.6		)
	Net inventories	$	1,013.70		$	1,029.20

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Components of debt	The following were individual components of debt (in millions):


		March 31,		September 30,
		2015		2014
	4.45% notes due March 2019	$	349.8	$	349.8

	3.50% notes due March 2020	348.1		347.9

	4.90% notes due March 2022	399.5		399.4

	4.00% notes due March 2023	347.2		347

	Term loan facility	916.9		947.5

	Revolving credit and swing facilities	152		120.3

	Receivables-backed financing facility	225		460

	Other debt	10.9		12.8

	Total debt	2,749.40		2,984.70

	Less current portion of debt	126.4		132.6

	Long-term debt due after one year	$	2,623.00	$	2,852.10

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Debt	The following table summarizes the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt (in millions):


		March 31, 2015				September 30, 2014
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	March 2019 Notes(1)	$	349.8	$	376.6	$	349.8	$	376.1

	March 2020 Notes(1)	348.1		365.1		347.9		357.5

	March 2022 Notes(1)	399.5		443.3		399.4		430

	March 2023 Notes(1)	347.2		363		347		357.9

	Term loan facilities(2)	916.9		916.9		947.5		947.5

	Revolving credit and swing facilities(2)	152		152		120.3		120.3

	Receivables-backed financing facility(2)	225		225		460		460

	Other debt(2)(3)	10.9		11.2		12.8		13

	Total debt	$	2,749.40	$	2,853.10	$	2,984.70	$	3,062.30



	-1	Fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy since the notes trade infrequently. Fair value is based on quoted market prices.

	-2	Fair value approximates the carrying amount as the variable interest rates reprice frequently at observable current market rates. As such, fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

	-3	Fair value for certain debt is estimated based on the discounted value of future cash flows using observable current market interest rates offered for debt of similar credit risk and maturity. As such, fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Summary of components of net pension cost and summary of components of postretirement benefit costs	The following table represents a summary of the components of the postretirement benefits costs (in millions):


		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	0.2		$	0.3		$	0.3		$	0.6

	Interest cost	0.9			1.5			2.1			3

	Amortization of net actuarial gain	(0.3		)	(0.1		)	(0.6		)	(0.3		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	(0.5		)	(0.4		)	(1.0		)	(0.7		)
	Curtailment gain recognized	—			—			(8.1		)	—

	Postretirement plan expense (income)	$	0.3		$	1.3		$	(7.3	)	$	2.6


	The following table represents a summary of the components of net pension cost (in millions):


		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Service cost	$	7.9		$	7.8		$	15.6		$	15.7

	Interest cost	46.8			54.5			96.4			109.5

	Expected return on plan assets	(61.3		)	(63.2		)	(126.3		)	(127.1		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	8.4			4.4			17.1			8.7

	Amortization of prior service cost	0.8			0.3			1.1			0.6

	Settlement loss recognized	—			—			20			—

	Company defined benefit plan expense	2.6			3.8			23.9			7.4

	Multiemployer and other plans	1.5			1.7			2.8			3.2

	Net pension cost	$	4.1		$	5.5		$	26.7		$	10.6

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	The table below summarizes the changes in unvested restricted stock awards during the six months ended March 31, 2015:


		Shares		Weighted Average
				Grant Date Fair
				Value
	Unvested at September 30, 2014	1,745,360		$	40.39

	Granted(1)	1,027,715		44.66

	Vested	(1,268,030	)	31.99

	Forfeited	(44,350	)	45.4

	Unvested at March 31, 2015 (2)	1,460,695		$	50.53


	-1	Fiscal 2015 target awards to employees of 388,210 shares may be increased to 200% of the target or decreased to zero, subject to the level of performance attained. The awards are reflected in the table at the target award amount of 100%. If the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco is consummated before December 31, 2017, target awards granted to employees in fiscal 2015 will be prorated based on the number of days elapsed from January 1, 2015 through, and including, the effective date of the proposed transaction, and the denominator of which is 1,096; and the performance period applicable to each award will end and the performance goals will be determined at that time in accordance with the applicable grant letter. If the proposed transaction is not consummated before December 31, 2017, the awards will not be prorated. During fiscal 2015, restricted shares granted in fiscal 2012 achieved the performance condition based on the Cash Flow to Equity Ratio (as defined in the applicable grant letter) at 200% of target. This achievement resulted in the issuance and vesting of an additional 624,250 shares in fiscal 2015.


	-2	Target awards granted to employees in fiscal 2014 and 2013, net of subsequent forfeitures, were 457,200 and 572,560 shares, respectively. These awards may be increased up to 200% of target or decreased to zero, subject to the level of performance attained. The awards are reflected in the table at the target award amount of 100%.
	The table below summarizes the changes in all stock options during the six months ended March 31, 2015:


		Shares		Weighted		Weighted	Aggregate
				Average		Average	Intrinsic
				Exercise		Remaining	Value
				Price		Contractual	(in millions)
						Term
						(in years)
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	2,074,644		$	30.65

	Granted(1)	257,080		64.9

	Exercised	(98,795	)	27.81

	Forfeited	(22,080	)	43.45

	Outstanding at March 31, 2015	2,210,849		$	34.63	5.7	$	66.1

	Exercisable at March 31, 2015	1,383,209		$	24.64	3.9	$	55.1



	-1	If the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco is consummated before December 31, 2017, stock options granted to employees in fiscal 2015 will be prorated based on the number of days elapsed from January 1, 2015 through, and including, the effective date of the proposed transaction, and the denominator of which is 1,096. If the proposed transaction is not consummated before December 31, 2017, the awards will not be prorated.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Information [Abstract]
Certain operating data for segments	The following table shows selected operating data for our segments (in millions):


		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 31,						March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net sales (aggregate):
	Corrugated Packaging	$	1,727.90		$	1,651.70		$	3,496.10		$	3,303.60

	Consumer Packaging	485.6			489.3			964.4			961.4

	Merchandising Displays	212.6			213			450.8			397.6

	Recycling	75.8			90.1			156.1			189.7

	Total	$	2,501.90		$	2,444.10		$	5,067.40		$	4,852.30

	Less net sales (intersegment):
	Corrugated Packaging	$	30.7		$	36.5		$	63.2		$	66.2

	Consumer Packaging	6.2			5.3			13.7			11

	Merchandising Displays	4.4			4.6			10.3			9

	Recycling	5			4.1			10.4			9.9

	Total	$	46.3		$	50.5		$	97.6		$	96.1

	Net sales (unaffiliated customers):
	Corrugated Packaging	$	1,697.20		$	1,615.20		$	3,432.90		$	3,237.40

	Consumer Packaging	479.4			484			950.7			950.4

	Merchandising Displays	208.2			208.4			440.5			388.6

	Recycling	70.8			86			145.7			179.8

	Total	$	2,455.60		$	2,393.60		$	4,969.80		$	4,756.20

	Segment income:
	Corrugated Packaging	$	169.8		$	133.1		$	352.9		$	290.8

	Consumer Packaging	47.7			49.3			100.3			106.9

	Merchandising Displays	4.7			17			11.1			36.3

	Recycling	(0.4		)	2.8			1.4			2.9

	Segment income	221.8			202.2			465.7			436.9

	Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net	—			—			(11.9		)	—

	Restructuring and other costs, net	(17.2		)	(14.2		)	(22.6		)	(31.8		)
	Non-allocated expenses	(14.9		)	(19.0		)	(30.8		)	(39.0		)
	Interest expense	(23.0		)	(23.2		)	(46.3		)	(47.2		)
	Interest income and other income (expense), net	(0.5		)	(0.2		)	(0.3		)	(1.0		)
	Income before income taxes	166.2			145.6			353.8			317.9

	Income tax expense	(55.8		)	(62.1		)	(117.8		)	(123.8		)
	Consolidated net income	110.4			83.5			236			194.1

	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.6		)	(0.7		)	(1.1		)	(1.6		)
	Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	109.8		$	82.8		$	234.9		$	192.5

Selected_Consolidating_Financi1

Selected Consolidating Financial Statements of Parent, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income [Table Text Block]	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME


		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
										Non-
						Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
		(In millions)
	Net sales	$	—			$	2,241.90			$	387.6			$	(173.9	)		$	2,455.60

	Cost of goods sold	—				1,836.40				304.8				(142.7		)		1,998.50

	Gross profit	—				405.5				82.8				(31.2		)		457.1

	Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.1				228.4				24.1				—				252.6

	Restructuring and other costs, net	11.7				5.4				0.1				—				17.2

	Operating profit	(11.8		)		171.7				58.6				(31.2		)		187.3

	Interest expense	(23.0		)		(0.4		)		(5.6		)		6				(23.0		)

	Interest income and other income (expense), net	1				(27.0		)		0.3				25.2				(0.5		)

	Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	—				2.4				—				—				2.4

	Equity in income of consolidated entities	131.4				28.9				—				(160.3		)		—

	Income before income taxes	97.6				175.6				53.3				(160.3		)		166.2

	Income tax benefit (expense)	12.2				(52.7		)		(15.3		)		—				(55.8		)

	Consolidated net income	109.8				122.9				38				(160.3		)		110.4

	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(0.6		)		—				—				(0.6		)

	Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	109.8			$	122.3			$	38			$	(160.3	)		$	109.8

	Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	85.8			$	99.4			$	10.9			$	(110.3	)		$	85.8







	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME



		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
										Non-
						Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
		(In millions)
	Net sales	$	—			$	2,170.90			$	394.1			$	(171.4	)		$	2,393.60

	Cost of goods sold	—				1,780.20				326.7				(140.5		)		1,966.40

	Gross profit	—				390.7				67.4				(30.9		)		427.2

	Selling, general and administrative expenses	—				218.1				27.4				—				245.5

	Restructuring and other costs, net	0.2				15				(1.0		)		—				14.2

Operating profit	(0.2		)		157.6				41				(30.9		)		167.5

Interest expense	(22.1		)		(1.2		)		(7.2		)		7.3				(23.2		)

Interest income and other income (expense), net	2.1				(26.0		)		0.1				23.6				(0.2		)

Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	—				1.5				—				—				1.5

Equity in income of consolidated entities	95.1				18.8				—				(113.9		)		—

Income before income taxes	74.9				150.7				33.9				(113.9		)		145.6

Income tax benefit (expense)	7.9				(59.7		)		(10.3		)		—				(62.1		)

Consolidated net income	82.8				91				23.6				(113.9		)		83.5

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(0.8		)		0.1				—				(0.7		)

Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	82.8			$	90.2			$	23.7			$	(113.9	)		$	82.8

Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	72.8			$	81.2			$	11.7			$	(92.9	)		$	72.8








CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME


	Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Net sales	$	—			$	4,532.30			$	797.7			$	(360.2	)		$	4,969.80

Cost of goods sold	—				3,706.40				632.7				(295.9		)		4,043.20

Gross profit	—				825.9				165				(64.3		)		926.6

Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.1				440.2				56				—				496.3

Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net	—				11.9				—				—				11.9

Restructuring and other costs, net	11.7				10.5				0.4				—				22.6

Operating profit	(11.8		)		363.3				108.6				(64.3		)		395.8

Interest expense	(46.2		)		(0.8		)		(10.1		)		10.8				(46.3		)

Interest income and other income (expense), net	2.2				(56.5		)		0.5				53.5				(0.3		)

Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	—				4.6				—				—				4.6

Equity in income of consolidated entities	269.9				56.7				—				(326.6		)		—

Income before income taxes	214.1				367.3				99				(326.6		)		353.8

Income tax benefit (expense)	20.8				(109.3		)		(29.3		)		—				(117.8		)

Consolidated net income	234.9				258				69.7				(326.6		)		236

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(0.9		)		(0.2		)		—				(1.1		)

Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	234.9			$	257.1			$	69.5			$	(326.6	)		$	234.9

Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	189.1			$	213.1			$	26.6			$	(239.7	)		$	189.1







CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Net sales	$	—			$	4,312.70			$	777.8			$	(334.3	)		$	4,756.20

Cost of goods sold	—				3,512.10				640.6				(271.5		)		3,881.20

Gross profit	—				800.6				137.2				(62.8		)		875

Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.5				425.4				54.4				—				480.3

Restructuring and other costs, net	0.4				31.4				—				—				31.8

Operating profit	(0.9		)		343.8				82.8				(62.8		)		362.9

Interest expense	(44.6		)		(2.6		)		(14.4		)		14.4				(47.2		)

Interest income and other income (expense), net	4.3				(53.5		)		(0.2		)		48.4				(1.0		)

Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	—				3.2				—				—				3.2

Equity in income of consolidated entities	217.6				36.6				—				(254.2		)		—

Income before income taxes	176.4				327.5				68.2				(254.2		)		317.9

Income tax benefit (expense)	16.1				(119.5		)		(20.4		)		—				(123.8		)

Consolidated net income	192.5				208				47.8				(254.2		)		194.1

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(1.5		)		(0.1		)		—				(1.6		)

Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	192.5			$	206.5			$	47.7			$	(254.2	)		$	192.5

Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$	175.8			$	191.5			$	26.9			$	(218.4	)		$	175.8

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Table Text Block]	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS



		31-Mar-15
										Non-
						Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
		(In millions)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	21.4			$	2.7			$	15.6			$	—			$	39.7

	Restricted cash	8.8				—				—				—				8.8

	Accounts receivable, net	—				42.9				960.3				(29.2		)		974

	Inventories	—				854.4				159.3				—				1,013.70

	Other current assets	22.2				181.7				33.4				(0.4		)		236.9

	Intercompany receivables	57.2				1.3				3.2				(61.7		)		—

	Total current assets	109.6				1,083.00				1,171.80				(91.3		)		2,273.10

	Net property, plant and equipment	—				5,436.50				348.6				—				5,785.10

	Goodwill	—				1,832.70				83.4				—				1,916.10

	Intangibles, net	—				635.2				9.6				—				644.8

	Intercompany notes receivable	248.2				775.8				—				(1,024.0		)		—

	Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	6,891.20				401.5				—				(7,292.7		)		—

	Other assets	24.6				164.2				17.8				(4.8		)		201.8

		$	7,273.60			$	10,328.90			$	1,631.20			$	(8,412.8	)		$	10,820.90

	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of debt	$	122.2			$	3.4			$	0.8			$	—			$	126.4

	Accounts payable	0.1				722.4				96.5				(29.2		)		789.8

	Accrued compensation and benefits	—				186.4				26.2				—				212.6

	Other current liabilities	14.5				150.5				25.8				(0.4		)		190.4

	Intercompany payables	—				31.3				30.4				(61.7		)		—

	Total current liabilities	136.8				1,094.00				179.7				(91.3		)		1,319.20

	Long-term debt due after one year	2,331.30				0.2				291.5				—				2,623.00

	Intercompany notes payable	374.9				236				413.1				(1,024.0		)		—

	Pension liabilities, net of current portion	—				891.1				135.2				—				1,026.30

	Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	—				55.8				38.8				—				94.6

	Deferred income taxes	—				1,141.70				15.9				(4.8		)		1,152.80

	Other long-term liabilities	4.1				156.2				4.3				—				164.6

Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—				7.1				6.3				—				13.4

Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholders’ equity	4,426.50				6,746.30				546.4				(7,292.7		)		4,426.50

Noncontrolling interests	—				0.5				—				—				0.5

Total equity	4,426.50				6,746.80				546.4				(7,292.7		)		4,427.00

	$	7,273.60			$	10,328.90			$	1,631.20			$	(8,412.8	)		$	10,820.90



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS



	30-Sep-14
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14.5			$	1.7			$	16.4			$	—			$	32.6

Restricted cash	8.8				—				—				—				8.8

Accounts receivable, net	—				93.5				1,048.10				(22.9		)		1,118.70

Inventories	—				852				177.2				—				1,029.20

Other current assets	34.6				205.9				35.4				(32.7		)		243.2

Intercompany receivables	87.2				6.3				13.5				(107.0		)		—

Total current assets	145.1				1,159.40				1,290.60				(162.6		)		2,432.50

Net property, plant and equipment	—				5,432.30				400.3				—				5,832.60

Goodwill	—				1,820.10				106.3				—				1,926.40

Intangibles, net	—				655.9				35.2				—				691.1

Intercompany notes receivable	266.5				607.6				—				(874.1		)		—

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries	6,680.30				390.6				—				(7,070.9		)		—

Other assets	30.8				110.7				21.7				(6.1		)		157.1

	$	7,122.70			$	10,176.60			$	1,854.10			$	(8,113.7	)		$	11,039.70

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt	$	91.7			$	3.9			$	37			$	—			$	132.6

Accounts payable	—				736.1				99.6				(22.9		)		812.8

Accrued compensation and benefits	—				196.1				28.3				—				224.4

Other current liabilities	14.2				178.6				30.6				(32.7		)		190.7

Intercompany payables	—				82.6				24.4				(107.0		)		—

Total current liabilities	105.9				1,197.30				219.9				(162.6		)		1,360.50

Long-term debt due after one year	2,330.90				0.2				521				—				2,852.10

Intercompany notes payable	374.9				236				263.2				(874.1		)		—

Pension liabilities, net of current portion	—				916.8				174.1				—				1,090.90

Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	—				57.6				44.1				—				101.7

Deferred income taxes	—				1,126.80				12.1				(6.1		)		1,132.80

Other long-term liabilities	4.2				173.6				2.8				—				180.6

Redeemable noncontrolling interests	—				7.7				6				—				13.7

Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholders’ equity	4,306.80				6,460.00				610.9				(7,070.9		)		4,306.80

Noncontrolling interests	—				0.6				—				—				0.6

Total equity	4,306.80				6,460.60				610.9				(7,070.9		)		4,307.40

	$	7,122.70			$	10,176.60			$	1,854.10			$	(8,113.7	)		$	11,039.70

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Table Text Block]	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


		Six Months Ended March 31, 2015
										Non-
						Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
		(In millions)
	Operating activities:
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	35.6			$	418.2			$	113.2			$	(16.2	)		$	550.8

	Investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	—				(230.3		)		(4.9		)		—				(235.2		)

	Cash received for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—				3.7				—				—				3.7

	Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	—				0.4				—				—				0.4

	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—				8.1				0.3				—				8.4

	Intercompany notes issued	—				(255.5		)		—				255.5				—

	Intercompany notes proceeds	16.3				87.4				—				(103.7		)		—

	Intercompany return of capital	1.5				—				—				(1.5		)		—

	Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	17.8				(386.2		)		(4.6		)		150.3				(222.7		)

	Financing activities:
	Additions to revolving credit facilities	131.5				—				17.4				—				148.9

	Repayments of revolving credit facilities	(70.4		)		—				(38.6		)		—				(109.0		)

	Additions to debt	—				—				110.9				—				110.9

	Repayments of debt	(30.6		)		(0.1		)		(347.1		)		—				(377.8		)

	Commercial card program	—				(0.6		)		—				—				(0.6		)

	Debt issuance costs	(0.1		)		—				—				—				(0.1		)

	Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	(26.8		)		—				—				—				(26.8		)

	Purchases of common stock	(8.7		)		—				—				—				(8.7		)

	Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	—				16.4				—				—				16.4

	Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	30				(46.3		)		16.3				—				—

	Repayments to unconsolidated entity	—				(0.4		)		—				—				(0.4		)

	Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(71.4		)		—				—				—				(71.4		)

	Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	—				—				(1.3		)		—				(1.3		)

	Intercompany notes borrowing	—				—				255.5				(255.5		)		—

	Intercompany notes payments	—				—				(103.7		)		103.7				—

	Intercompany capital distribution	—				—				(1.5		)		1.5				—

	Intercompany dividends	—				—				(16.2		)		16.2				—

	Net cash used for financing activities	(46.5		)		(31.0		)		(108.3		)		(134.1		)		(319.9		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—				—				(1.1		)		—				(1.1		)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6.9				1				(0.8		)		—				7.1

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	14.5				1.7				16.4				—				32.6

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	21.4			$	2.7			$	15.6			$	—			$	39.7


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	29.2			$	359			$	156.4			$	(13.5	)		$	531.1

Investing activities:

Capital expenditures	—				(216.7		)		(10.4		)		—				(227.1		)

Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(60.0		)		—				—				—				(60.0		)

Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	—				0.4				—				—				0.4

Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	—				—				3.8				—				3.8

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	—				4.6				8.7				—				13.3

Proceeds from property, plant and equipment insurance settlement	—				3.4				—				—				3.4

Intercompany notes issued	—				(181.6		)		—				181.6				—

Intercompany notes proceeds	3.5				174.9				1.3				(179.7		)		—

Intercompany capital investment	—				(5.1		)		—				5.1				—

Intercompany capital distribution	—				—				(1.1		)		1.1				—

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(56.5		)		(220.1		)		2.3				8.1				(266.2		)

Financing activities:

Additions to revolving credit facilities	132.2				—				10.6				—				142.8

Repayments of revolving credit facilities	(118.8		)		—				(34.7		)		—				(153.5		)

Additions to debt	—				—				172.7				—				172.7

Repayments of debt	—				(0.1		)		(329.6		)		—				(329.7		)

Debt issuance costs	(0.2		)		—				—				—				(0.2		)

Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	(13.8		)		—				—				—				(13.8		)

Purchases of common stock	(53.0		)		—				—				—				(53.0		)

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	—				14.5				—				—				14.5

Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	130.2				(150.1		)		19.9				—				—

Advances from unconsolidated entity	—				2				—				—				2

Cash dividends paid to shareholders	(50.9		)		—				—				—				(50.9		)

Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	—				—				(0.3		)		—				(0.3		)

Intercompany notes borrowing	—				—				181.6				(181.6		)		—

Intercompany notes payments	—				(1.3		)		(178.4		)		179.7				—

Intercompany capital receipt	—				—				5.1				(5.1		)		—

Intercompany capital return	—				1.1				—				(1.1		)		—

Intercompany dividends	—				—				(13.5		)		13.5				—

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	25.7				(133.9		)		(166.6		)		5.4				(269.4		)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—				—				0.3				—				0.3

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1.6		)		5				(7.6		)		—				(4.2		)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	14.8				1.2				20.4				—				36.4

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	13.2			$	6.2			$	12.8			$	—			$	32.2

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

The Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2014 do not include a $23.6 million non-cash transaction between a Guarantor Subsidiary and a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to increase an intercompany capital investment in the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary and do not reflect the corresponding decrease in intercompany notes receivable. The additional investment into a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary was made through a non-cash conversion of an intercompany note receivable in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.



	Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
									Non-
					Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
	Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
	(In millions)
Investing activities:
Intercompany capital investment	$	—			$	(23.6	)		$	—			$	23.6			$	—

Intercompany notes receivable	—				23.6				—				(23.6		)		—


Financing activities:
Intercompany capital contributed	$	—			$	—			$	23.6			$	(23.6	)		$	—

Intercompany note payable	—				—				(23.6		)		23.6				—

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows, Supplemental Information [Table Text Block]	The Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2014 do not include a $23.6 million non-cash transaction between a Guarantor Subsidiary and a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to increase an intercompany capital investment in the Non-Guarantor Subsidiary and do not reflect the corresponding decrease in intercompany notes receivable. The additional investment into a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary was made through a non-cash conversion of an intercompany note receivable in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.



		Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
										Non-
						Guarantor				Guarantor								Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Total
		(In millions)
	Investing activities:
	Intercompany capital investment	$	—			$	(23.6	)		$	—			$	23.6			$	—

	Intercompany notes receivable	—				23.6				—				(23.6		)		—


	Financing activities:
	Intercompany capital contributed	$	—			$	—			$	23.6			$	(23.6	)		$	—

	Intercompany note payable	—				—				(23.6		)		23.6				—

Equity_and_Other_Comprehensive2

Equity and Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 27, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 12, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period					$4,307.40
Net income					235.1
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax					-45.9
Income tax benefit from share-based plans					16.4
Compensation expense under share-based plans					21.4
Cash dividends declared (per share - $0.508025)(2)					-71.6	[1]
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests					-0.3
Issuance of Class A common stock, net of stock received for minimum tax withholdings					-26.8
Purchases of Class A common stock					-8.7
Balance at end of period		4,427			4,427
Cash dividends paid per share		$0.32		$0.18	$0.51		$0.35
Stock Dividend Rate, Class A Common Stock	100.00%
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio	2
Parent [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period					4,306.80
Net income					234.9
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax					-45.9
Income tax benefit from share-based plans					16.4
Compensation expense under share-based plans					21.4
Cash dividends declared (per share - $0.508025)(2)					-71.6	[1]
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests					0
Issuance of Class A common stock, net of stock received for minimum tax withholdings					-26.8
Purchases of Class A common stock					-8.7
Balance at end of period		4,426.50			4,426.50
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period					0.6	[2]
Net income					0.2	[2]
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax					0	[2]
Income tax benefit from share-based plans					0	[2]
Compensation expense under share-based plans					0	[2]
Cash dividends declared (per share - $0.508025)(2)					0	[2]
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests					-0.3	[2]
Issuance of Class A common stock, net of stock received for minimum tax withholdings					0	[2]
Purchases of Class A common stock					0
Balance at end of period		0.5	[2]		0.5	[2]
Maximum [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Effective Tax Rate, Net of Tax Components of Other Comprehensive Income					39.00%		39.00%
Minimum [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Effective Tax Rate, Net of Tax Components of Other Comprehensive Income					38.00%		38.00%
Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Purchases of Class A common stock					($8.70)
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased								16.9
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased		8.5			8.5
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired					0.2

[1]	Includes cash dividends paid, and dividends declared but unpaid, related to the shares reserved but unissued to satisfy Smurfit-Stone bankruptcy claims.
[2]	Excludes amounts related to contingently redeemable noncontrolling interests which are separately classified outside of permanent equity in the mezzanine section of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Equity_and_Other_Comprehensive3

Equity and Other Comprehensive Income Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period					($495.30)	[1]	($300.60)	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications					-63.5	[1]	-21.2	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)					17.6	[1]	4.6	[1]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)					-45.9	[1]	-16.6	[1]
Balance at end of period	-541.2	[1]	-317.2	[1]	-541.2	[1]	-317.2	[1]
Net actuarial loss arising during the period	0		0		-2.8		0
Prior service cost arising during the period	0		0		13.9		0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax					1.7
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), Tax					-8.8
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period					-0.2	[1]	-0.2	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications					0	[1]	0	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)					0	[1]	0	[1]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)					0	[1]	0	[1]
Balance at end of period	-0.2	[1]	-0.2	[1]	-0.2	[1]	-0.2	[1]
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period					-498.2	[1]	-332.9	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications					-16.7	[1]	0	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)					17.6	[1]	5	[1]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)					0.9	[1]	5	[1]
Balance at end of period	-497.3	[1]	-327.9	[1]	-497.3	[1]	-327.9	[1]
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of period					3.1	[1]	32.5	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications					-46.8	[1]	-21.2	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)					0	[1]	-0.4	[1]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)					-46.8	[1]	-21.6	[1]
Balance at end of period	($43.70)	[1]	$10.90	[1]	($43.70)	[1]	$10.90	[1]

[1]	All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interest.

Equity_and_Other_Comprehensive4

Equity and Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization and settlement recognition of net actuarial loss, included in pension cost	$5.10		$2.60		$22.80		$5.20
Amortization and curtailment recognition of prior service cost (credit), included in pension cost	0.3		0		-4.9		0
Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of net actuarial loss, Pre-Tax Amount	-8	[1],[2]	-4.2	[1],[2]	-36.3	[1],[2]	-8.2	[1],[2]
Amortization of net actuarial loss, Tax	3.1	[1],[2]	1.6	[1],[2]	13.8	[1],[2]	3.1	[1],[2]
Amortization and settlement recognition of net actuarial loss, included in pension cost	-4.9	[1],[2]	-2.6	[1],[2]	-22.5	[1],[2]	-5.1	[1],[2]
Amortization of prior service cost, Pre-Tax Amount	-0.4	[1],[2]	0.1	[1],[2]	8	[1],[2]	0.1	[1],[2]
Amortization of prior service cost, Tax	0.1	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]	-3.1	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Amortization and curtailment recognition of prior service cost (credit), included in pension cost	-0.3	[1],[2]	0.1	[1],[2]	4.9	[1],[2]	0.1	[1],[2]
Defined Benefit Plans, before Tax	-8.4	[2]	-4.1	[2]	-28.3	[2]	-8.1	[2]
Defined Benefit Plans, Tax	3.2	[2]	1.6	[2]	10.7	[2]	3.1	[2]
Defined Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	-5.2	[2]	-2.5	[2]	-17.6	[2]	-5	[2]
Sale of foreign subsidiary, Pre-Tax Amount	0	[2],[3]	0.4	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]	0.4	[2],[3]
Sale of foreign subsidiary, Tax	0	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]
Sale of foreign subsidiary, Net of Tax	0	[2],[3]	0.4	[2],[3]	0	[2],[3]	0.4	[2],[3]
Total Reclassifications From Other Comprehensive Income Before Tax	-8.4	[2]	-3.7	[2]	-28.3	[2],[3]	-7.7	[2],[3]
Total Reclassifications From Other Comprehensive Income Tax Portion	3.2	[2]	1.6	[2]	10.7	[2],[3]	3.1	[2],[3]
Total Reclassifications From Other Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax	($5.20)	[2]	($2.10)	[2]	($17.60)	[2],[3]	($4.60)	[2],[3]

[1]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (See â€œNote 11. Retirement Plansâ€ for additional details).
[2]	Amounts in parentheses indicate charges to earnings. Amounts pertaining to noncontrolling interests are excluded.
[3]	Amount reflected in â€œRestructuring and other costs, netâ€ in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$109.80	$82.80	$234.90	$192.50
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	140.8	143.6	140.5	143.8
Basic earnings per share attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$0.78	$0.58	$1.67	$1.34
Effect of dilutive stock options and non-participating securities	1.9	2.4	2.2	2.5
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	142.7	146	142.7	146.3
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	$0.77	$0.57	$1.65	$1.32
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0.1	0.4	0.5	0.2
Smurfit Stone [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
Weighted average shares reserved	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 29, 2014	16-May-14	Dec. 20, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill				$1,916.10	$1,926.40
A.G. Industries, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	29-Aug-14
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Net of Cash Acquired	69.9
Goodwill	13.2
Liabilities assumed	5.9
Maximum Cost of the Sec 338(h)(10) Election	2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	0.5
Simpson Tacoma Kraft Paper Mill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition		16-May-14
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Net of Cash Acquired		340.6
Goodwill		29
Liabilities assumed		28.9
NPG Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition			20-Dec-13
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Net of Cash Acquired			59.6
Goodwill			27.9
Liabilities assumed			19.5			19.6
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents			1.7
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Notes Payable and LT Debt			0.6
Contract-Based Intangible Assets [Member] \| Simpson Tacoma Kraft Paper Mill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles		22.6
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		7 years 2 months
Customer Relationships [Member] \| A.G. Industries, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	26
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Simpson Tacoma Kraft Paper Mill [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles		14.6
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		20 years 0 months
Customer Relationships [Member] \| NPG Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles			$14.50
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			9 years 0 months
Maximum [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member] \| A.G. Industries, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years 6 months
Minimum [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member] \| A.G. Industries, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years 0 months

Restructuring_and_Other_Costs_2

Restructuring and Other Costs, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	$17.20		$14.20		$22.60		$31.80
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					280.7
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					282.7
Acquisition Expenses					10.8		2.8
Integration expenses					5.9		12.7
Net Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	1.5	[1]	1.7	[1]	1.9	[1]	6.6	[1]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					47.4	[1]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					47.4	[1]
Employee severance and other EE costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	-0.2		1.5		0.2		1.3
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					32.4
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					32.4
Equipment and Inventory Relocation Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.5		0.5		0.6		2.2
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					9.1
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					9.6
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	1.2		1.9		2.1		3.4
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					16
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					17.4
Other Costs Related to Restructuring and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	14.2		8.6		17.8		18.3
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					175.8
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					175.9
Corrugated Packaging [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	2	[2]	4.4	[2]	3	[2]	8.4	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					84.7	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					85.9	[2]
Corrugated Packaging [Member] \| Net Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	1	[1],[2]	1	[1],[2]	1.2	[1],[2]	2.5	[1],[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					30.2	[1],[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					30.2	[1],[2]
Corrugated Packaging [Member] \| Employee severance and other EE costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	[2]	1.4	[2]	0	[2]	1.4	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					29.2	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					29.2	[2]
Corrugated Packaging [Member] \| Equipment and Inventory Relocation Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.3	[2]	0.4	[2]	0.4	[2]	1.7	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					7.5	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					7.5	[2]
Corrugated Packaging [Member] \| Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.7	[2]	1.4	[2]	1.3	[2]	2.5	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					12.3	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					13.5	[2]
Corrugated Packaging [Member] \| Other Costs Related to Restructuring and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	[2]	0.2	[2]	0.1	[2]	0.3	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					5.5	[2]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					5.5	[2]
Consumer Packaging [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.6	[3]	0.1	[3]	1.1	[3]	0	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					8.1	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					8.1	[3]
Consumer Packaging [Member] \| Net Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.2	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]	0.3	[1],[3]	0	[1],[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					4.7	[1],[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					4.7	[1],[3]
Consumer Packaging [Member] \| Employee severance and other EE costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	-0.2	[3]	0	[3]	0.2	[3]	-0.1	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					1.7	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					1.7	[3]
Consumer Packaging [Member] \| Equipment and Inventory Relocation Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.2	[3]	0	[3]	0.2	[3]	0	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					0.7	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					0.7	[3]
Consumer Packaging [Member] \| Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.2	[3]	0.1	[3]	0.2	[3]	0.1	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					0.6	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					0.6	[3]
Consumer Packaging [Member] \| Other Costs Related to Restructuring and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.2	[3]	0	[3]	0.2	[3]	0	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					0.4	[3]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					0.4	[3]
Recycling [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.8	[4]	1.4	[4]	2	[4]	7.6	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					25.2	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					26	[4]
Recycling [Member] \| Net Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.3	[1],[4]	0.7	[1],[4]	0.4	[1],[4]	4.1	[1],[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					12.4	[1],[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					12.4	[1],[4]
Recycling [Member] \| Employee severance and other EE costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	[4]	0.1	[4]	0	[4]	0	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					1.3	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					1.3	[4]
Recycling [Member] \| Equipment and Inventory Relocation Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	[4]	0.1	[4]	0	[4]	0.5	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					0.8	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					1.3	[4]
Recycling [Member] \| Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.3	[4]	0.4	[4]	0.6	[4]	0.8	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					3.1	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					3.3	[4]
Recycling [Member] \| Other Costs Related to Restructuring and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.2	[4]	0.1	[4]	1	[4]	2.2	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					7.6	[4]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					7.7	[4]
All Other Segments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	13.8	[5]	8.3	[5]	16.5	[5]	15.8	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					162.7	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					162.7	[5]
Acquisition, Transaction and Other Related Costs	13.8		8.3		16.5		15.8
Acquisition Expenses	10.3		1.4		10.8		2.8
Integration expenses	3.5		6.9		5.7		13
All Other Segments [Member] \| Net Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]	0	[1],[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					0.1	[1],[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					0.1	[1],[5]
All Other Segments [Member] \| Employee severance and other EE costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	[5]	0	[5]	0	[5]	0	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					0.2	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					0.2	[5]
All Other Segments [Member] \| Equipment and Inventory Relocation Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	[5]	0	[5]	0	[5]	0	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					0.1	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					0.1	[5]
All Other Segments [Member] \| Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	[5]	0	[5]	0	[5]	0	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					0	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					0	[5]
All Other Segments [Member] \| Other Costs Related to Restructuring and Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	13.8	[5]	8.3	[5]	16.5	[5]	15.8	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date					162.3	[5]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost					$162.30	[5]

[1]	We have defined â€œNet Property, Plant and Equipmentâ€ as used in this Note 6 to represent property, plant and equipment impairment losses, subsequent adjustments to fair value for assets classified as held for sale, subsequent (gains) or losses on sales of property, plant and equipment and related parts and supplies, and accelerated depreciation on such assets, if any.
[2]	The Corrugated Packaging segment current quarter and year to date charges primarily reflect on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities net of asset sales. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect closure costs from one announced closure and on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities net of asset sales. The cumulative charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of corrugated container plants and the closure of the Matane, Quebec containerboard mill, including gains and losses associated with the sale of assets associated with the closures. We have transferred a substantial portion of each closed facility's production to our other facilities.
[3]	The Consumer Packaging segment current quarter and year to date charges are primarily associated with on-going closure activity at previously closed facilities including the Cincinnati, OH specialty recycled paperboard mill. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect on-going closure activity at two previously closed converting facilities. The cumulative charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of converting facilities and a specialty recycled paperboard mill. We have transferred a substantial portion of each closed facilityâ€™s production to our other facilities.
[4]	The Recycling segment current quarter and year to date charges are primarily associated with the on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of one collection facility and on-going closure costs and impairment and fair value adjustments for assets at previously closed facilities. The cumulative charges primarily reflect the charges associated with the closure of collection facilities, including gains and losses associated with the sale of assets associated with the closures.
[5]	The expenses in the â€œOtherâ€ segment primarily reflect costs that we consider as Corporate, including the â€œOther Costsâ€ column that primarily reflects costs incurred as a result of the completed Smurfit-Stone Acquisition, such as acquisition and integration expenses, and the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco. Also included in the â€œOtherâ€ segment are insignificant costs related to our Merchandising Displays segment. The pre-tax charges in the â€œOther Costsâ€ column are summarized below (in millions):Â AcquisitionExpensesÂ IntegrationExpensesÂ TotalCurrent Qtr.$10.3Â $3.5Â $13.8YTD Fiscal 2015$10.8Â $5.7Â $16.5Prior Year Qtr.$1.4Â $6.9Â $8.3YTD Fiscal 2014$2.8Â $13.0Â $15.8Acquisition expenses include expenses associated with acquisitions or other business combinations, whether consummated or not, including the proposed transaction with MeadWestvaco, as well as litigation expenses associated with acquisitions and business combinations, net of recoveries. Acquisition expenses primarily consist of advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees. Integration expenses primarily reflect severance and other employee costs, professional services, including work being performed to facilitate acquisition / merger integration, such as information systems integration costs, lease expense and other costs. Due to the complexity and duration of the integration activities, the precise amount expected to be incurred has not been quantified above. We expect integration activities related to the Smurfit-Stone Acquisition to be completed by the end of fiscal 2015.

Restructuring_and_Other_Costs_3

Restructuring and Other Costs, Net Restructuring Accrual (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrual at beginning of period	$10.90	$21.80
Additional accruals	0.2	2.4
Payments	-5	-9.9
Adjustment to accruals	0.8	0.2
Accrual at end of period	$6.90	$14.50

Restructuring_and_Other_Costs_4

Restructuring and Other Costs, Net Restructuring Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Additional accruals and adjustments to accruals (see table above)			$1	$2.60
Acquisition expenses			10.8	2.8
Integration expenses			5.9	12.7
Net property, plant and equipment			1.9	6.6
Severance and other employee expense (income)			0.1	0.2
Equipment and inventory relocation costs			0.6	2.2
Facility carrying costs			2.1	3.4
Other expense			0.2	1.3
Restructuring and other costs, net	$17.20	$14.20	$22.60	$31.80

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Effective tax rates	33.60%	42.70%	33.30%	38.90%
State of New York [Member]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount		9.6
State Income Tax Rate		0.00%

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Finished goods and work in process	$397.50	$421.80
Raw materials	480.3	465.7
Spare parts and supplies	220.5	225.3
Inventories at FIFO cost	1,098.30	1,112.80
LIFO reserve	-84.6	-83.6
Net inventories	$1,013.70	$1,029.20

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 27, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$2,749,400,000	$2,984,700,000
Current portion of debt	126,400,000	132,600,000
Long-term debt due after one year	2,623,000,000	2,852,100,000
Percentage of Senior Notes Aggregate Principal Amount for Change of Control	101.00%
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	10,900,000	12,800,000
March 2019 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	349,800,000	349,800,000
March 2020 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	348,100,000	347,900,000
March 2022 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	399,500,000	399,400,000
March 2023 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	347,200,000	347,000,000
Credit Facility [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity			2,700,000,000
Term Loan Facilities [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	916,900,000	947,500,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity			1,475,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term, in Years			5
Credit Facility, remaining borrowing capacity	1,300,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	40,700,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	152,000,000	120,300,000
Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity			1,223,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term, in Years			5
Receivables Facility [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	225,000,000	460,000,000
Interest rate	0.91%	0.89%
Asset Securitization Facility Commitment Fee Percentage	0.25%	0.25%
Receivables backed financing, maximum borrowing amount	700,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Amount	570,800,000	647,700,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Collateral for Secured Borrowings	$756,900,000

Fair_Value_Fair_Value_by_Balan

Fair Value Fair Value by Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 27, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Feb. 03, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	$2,853.10				$3,062.30
Maximum Eligible Receivables That May Be Sold				300			205
Decrease in accounts receivable from transfers, net	87.1		130.7
Transfers of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sale, Initial Fair Value of Assets Obtained as Proceeds	564.6		344.1
Cash Flows Between Transferor and Transferee, Proceeds from Collections Reinvested in Revolving Period Transfers	453.7		200.4
Receivable from Financial Institution, Current	34.2		13		10.4
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	11.2	[1],[2]			13	[1],[2]
March 2019 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	376.6	[3]			376.1	[3]
March 2020 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	365.1	[3]			357.5	[3]
March 2022 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	443.3	[3]			430	[3]
March 2023 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	363	[3]			357.9	[3]
Term Loan Facilities [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	916.9	[2]			947.5	[2]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	152	[2]			120.3	[2]
Receivables Facility [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	225	[2]			460	[2]
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	2,749.40				2,984.70
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	10.9				12.8
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| March 2019 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	349.8				349.8
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| March 2020 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	348.1				347.9
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| March 2022 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	399.5				399.4
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| March 2023 Notes [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	347.2				347
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Term Loan Facilities [Member] \| Unsecured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	916.9				947.5
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Line of Credit [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	152				120.3
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Receivables Facility [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	$225				$460

[1]	Fair value for certain debt is estimated based on the discounted value of future cash flows using observable current market interest rates offered for debt of similar credit risk and maturity. As such, fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
[2]	Fair value approximates the carrying amount as the variable interest rates reprice frequently at observable current market rates. As such, fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
[3]	Fair value is categorized as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy since the notes trade infrequently. Fair value is based on quoted market prices.

Retirement_Plans_Details

Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	$7.90	$7.80	$15.60	$15.70
Interest cost	46.8	54.5	96.4	109.5
Expected return on plan assets	-61.3	-63.2	-126.3	-127.1
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	8.4	4.4	17.1	8.7
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost	0.8	0.3	1.1	0.6
Settlement loss recognized	0	0	20	0
Company defined benefit plan expense	2.6	3.8	23.9	7.4
Multiemployer and other plans	1.5	1.7	2.8	3.2
Net pension cost	4.1	5.5	26.7	10.6
Fiscal year anticipated contributions by employer	156		156
Contributions by employer to pension and supplemental retirement plans	51.8	53.6	58.2	90.8
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Period Increase (Decrease)	22.1		22.1
Lump Sum Pension Settlement [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Settlement loss recognized			20
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Benefit Obligation			163.7
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Plan Assets			135.1
Gain Recorded to Other Comprehensive Income Related to the Settlement and Remeasurement of Pension Offer			28.6
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)			-32.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax			-3.9
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.6
Interest cost	0.9	1.5	2.1	3
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	-0.3	-0.1	-0.6	-0.3
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost	-0.5	-0.4	-1	-0.7
Curtailment (gain) loss recognized	0	0	-8.1	0
Postretirement plan expense (income)	0.3	1.3	-7.3	2.6
Contributions by employer to pension and supplemental retirement plans	3	2.8	5.7	5.7
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of Settlements and Curtailments on Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$0.90		$0.90

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Contractual Term, Maximum			10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$24.93
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term			7 years 1 month
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate			40.90%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate			1.40%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate			2.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	$2.90	$1	$3.60	$15.70
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	2,210,849		2,210,849		2,074,644
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$34.63		$34.63		$30.65
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross			257,080
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$64.90
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period			-98,795
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$27.81
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period			-22,080
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$43.45
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			5 years 8 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	66.1		66.1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	1,383,209		1,383,209
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$24.64		$24.64
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			3 years 11 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$55.10		$55.10

ShareBased_Compensation_Restri

Share-Based Compensation Restricted Stock (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$82.30	$28.50	$82.30	$28.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	1,460,695		1,460,695		1,745,360
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$50.53		$50.53		$40.39
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			1,027,715
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$44.66
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period			-1,268,030
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$31.99
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period			-44,350
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$45.40
Restricted Stock, Service Condition and Cash Flow to Equity Ratio Performance Condition at Target
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			388,210
Restricted Stock, Non-Employee Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			1 year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			15,255
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			3 years
Restricted Stock, Target Awards, 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	457,200		457,200
Restricted Stock, Target Awards, 2013 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	572,560		572,560
Restricted Stock, Target Awards, 2012 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of Awarded Based on Performance Level Achieved			200.00%
Additional Target Award Issued and Vested as a Result of Performance Based Achievement			624,250
Restricted Stock, Target Awards, 2014 and 2013 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of Award Based on Level of Performance Attained, Maximum			200.00%
Percentage of Award Based on Level of Performance Attained, Minimum			0.00%
Percentage of Performance Based Awards Reflected			100.00%
Restricted Stock, Target Awards, 2015 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of Award Based on Level of Performance Attained, Maximum			200.00%
Percentage of Award Based on Level of Performance Attained, Minimum			0.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			388,210
Percentage of Performance Based Awards Reflected			100.00%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	T
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of tons of CO2 equal to or greater than produced by facility subject to EPA rule	25,000
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	$4
Seven Hills [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	49.00%
Unrecorded Contingent Purchase Obligation, Amount	8
Percent of Ownership Acquired, Contingent Purchase Obligation	44.00%
Other Entities [Member] \| Guarantee Type, Other [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	4
Smurfit Stone [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	5
Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	2.5
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	$1.50

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$2,501.90		$2,444.10		$5,067.40		$4,852.30
Net sales	2,455.60		2,393.60		4,969.80		4,756.20
Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net	0		0		-11.9		0
Restructuring and other costs, net	-17.2		-14.2		-22.6		-31.8
Interest expense	-23		-23.2		-46.3		-47.2
Interest income and other income (expense), net	-0.5		-0.2		-0.3		-1
Income before income taxes	166.2		145.6		353.8		317.9
Income tax expense	-55.8		-62.1		-117.8		-123.8
Consolidated net income	110.4		83.5		236		194.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-0.6		-0.7		-1.1		-1.6
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	109.8		82.8		234.9		192.5
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,455.60		2,393.60		4,969.80		4,756.20
Segment Reporting Information, Segment Income	221.8		202.2		465.7		436.9
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	46.3		50.5		97.6		96.1
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net	0		0		-11.9		0
Non-allocated expenses	-14.9		-19		-30.8		-39
Interest expense	-23		-23.2		-46.3		-47.2
Interest income and other income (expense), net	-0.5		-0.2		-0.3		-1
Corporate, Non-Segment and Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	-17.2		-14.2		-22.6		-31.8
Corrugated Packaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	-2	[1]	-4.4	[1]	-3	[1]	-8.4	[1]
Corrugated Packaging [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,727.90		1,651.70		3,496.10		3,303.60
Net sales	1,697.20		1,615.20		3,432.90		3,237.40
Segment Reporting Information, Segment Income	169.8		133.1		352.9		290.8
Corrugated Packaging [Member] \| Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	30.7		36.5		63.2		66.2
Consumer Packaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	-0.6	[2]	-0.1	[2]	-1.1	[2]	0	[2]
Consumer Packaging [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	485.6		489.3		964.4		961.4
Net sales	479.4		484		950.7		950.4
Segment Reporting Information, Segment Income	47.7		49.3		100.3		106.9
Consumer Packaging [Member] \| Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6.2		5.3		13.7		11
Merchandising Displays [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	212.6		213		450.8		397.6
Net sales	208.2		208.4		440.5		388.6
Segment Reporting Information, Segment Income	4.7		17		11.1		36.3
Merchandising Displays [Member] \| Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4.4		4.6		10.3		9
Recycling [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and other costs, net	-0.8	[3]	-1.4	[3]	-2	[3]	-7.6	[3]
Recycling [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	75.8		90.1		156.1		189.7
Net sales	70.8		86		145.7		179.8
Segment Reporting Information, Segment Income	-0.4		2.8		1.4		2.9
Recycling [Member] \| Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$5		$4.10		$10.40		$9.90

[1]	The Corrugated Packaging segment current quarter and year to date charges primarily reflect on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities net of asset sales. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect closure costs from one announced closure and on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities net of asset sales. The cumulative charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of corrugated container plants and the closure of the Matane, Quebec containerboard mill, including gains and losses associated with the sale of assets associated with the closures. We have transferred a substantial portion of each closed facility's production to our other facilities.
[2]	The Consumer Packaging segment current quarter and year to date charges are primarily associated with on-going closure activity at previously closed facilities including the Cincinnati, OH specialty recycled paperboard mill. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect on-going closure activity at two previously closed converting facilities. The cumulative charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of converting facilities and a specialty recycled paperboard mill. We have transferred a substantial portion of each closed facilityâ€™s production to our other facilities.
[3]	The Recycling segment current quarter and year to date charges are primarily associated with the on-going closure costs at previously closed facilities. The prior year quarter and prior year to date charges primarily reflect charges associated with the closure of one collection facility and on-going closure costs and impairment and fair value adjustments for assets at previously closed facilities. The cumulative charges primarily reflect the charges associated with the closure of collection facilities, including gains and losses associated with the sale of assets associated with the closures.

Selected_Consolidating_Financi2

Selected Consolidating Financial Statements of Parent, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors Guarantor Financial Data (Income Statement) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$2,455.60	$2,393.60	$4,969.80	$4,756.20
Cost of goods sold	1,998.50	1,966.40	4,043.20	3,881.20
Gross profit	457.1	427.2	926.6	875
Selling, general and administrative expenses	252.6	245.5	496.3	480.3
Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net	0	0	11.9	0
Restructuring and other costs, net	17.2	14.2	22.6	31.8
Operating profit	187.3	167.5	395.8	362.9
Interest expense	-23	-23.2	-46.3	-47.2
Interest income and other income (expense), net	-0.5	-0.2	-0.3	-1
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	2.4	1.5	4.6	3.2
Equity in income of consolidated entities	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	166.2	145.6	353.8	317.9
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-55.8	-62.1	-117.8	-123.8
Consolidated net income	110.4	83.5	236	194.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-0.6	-0.7	-1.1	-1.6
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	109.8	82.8	234.9	192.5
Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	85.8	72.8	189.1	175.8
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Cost of goods sold	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0.1	0	0.1	0.5
Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net			0
Restructuring and other costs, net	11.7	0.2	11.7	0.4
Operating profit	-11.8	-0.2	-11.8	-0.9
Interest expense	-23	-22.1	-46.2	-44.6
Interest income and other income (expense), net	1	2.1	2.2	4.3
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0	0
Equity in income of consolidated entities	131.4	95.1	269.9	217.6
Income before income taxes	97.6	74.9	214.1	176.4
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	12.2	7.9	20.8	16.1
Consolidated net income	109.8	82.8	234.9	192.5
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	109.8	82.8	234.9	192.5
Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	85.8	72.8	189.1	175.8
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	2,241.90	2,170.90	4,532.30	4,312.70
Cost of goods sold	1,836.40	1,780.20	3,706.40	3,512.10
Gross profit	405.5	390.7	825.9	800.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses	228.4	218.1	440.2	425.4
Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net			11.9
Restructuring and other costs, net	5.4	15	10.5	31.4
Operating profit	171.7	157.6	363.3	343.8
Interest expense	-0.4	-1.2	-0.8	-2.6
Interest income and other income (expense), net	-27	-26	-56.5	-53.5
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	2.4	1.5	4.6	3.2
Equity in income of consolidated entities	28.9	18.8	56.7	36.6
Income before income taxes	175.6	150.7	367.3	327.5
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-52.7	-59.7	-109.3	-119.5
Consolidated net income	122.9	91	258	208
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-0.6	-0.8	-0.9	-1.5
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	122.3	90.2	257.1	206.5
Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	99.4	81.2	213.1	191.5
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	387.6	394.1	797.7	777.8
Cost of goods sold	304.8	326.7	632.7	640.6
Gross profit	82.8	67.4	165	137.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	24.1	27.4	56	54.4
Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net			0
Restructuring and other costs, net	0.1	-1	0.4	0
Operating profit	58.6	41	108.6	82.8
Interest expense	-5.6	-7.2	-10.1	-14.4
Interest income and other income (expense), net	0.3	0.1	0.5	-0.2
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0	0
Equity in income of consolidated entities	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	53.3	33.9	99	68.2
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-15.3	-10.3	-29.3	-20.4
Consolidated net income	38	23.6	69.7	47.8
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0.1	-0.2	-0.1
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	38	23.7	69.5	47.7
Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	10.9	11.7	26.6	26.9
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	-173.9	-171.4	-360.2	-334.3
Cost of goods sold	-142.7	-140.5	-295.9	-271.5
Gross profit	-31.2	-30.9	-64.3	-62.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Pension lump sum settlement and retiree medical curtailment, net			0
Restructuring and other costs, net	0	0	0	0
Operating profit	-31.2	-30.9	-64.3	-62.8
Interest expense	6	7.3	10.8	14.4
Interest income and other income (expense), net	25.2	23.6	53.5	48.4
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	0	0	0	0
Equity in income of consolidated entities	-160.3	-113.9	-326.6	-254.2
Income before income taxes	-160.3	-113.9	-326.6	-254.2
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	0	0	0
Consolidated net income	-160.3	-113.9	-326.6	-254.2
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	-160.3	-113.9	-326.6	-254.2
Comprehensive income attributable to Rock-Tenn Company shareholders	($110.30)	($92.90)	($239.70)	($218.40)

Selected_Consolidating_Financi3

Selected Consolidating Financial Statements of Parent, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors Guarantor Financial Data (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$39.70	$32.60	$32.20	$36.40
Restricted cash	8.8	8.8
Accounts receivable, net	974	1,118.70
Inventories	1,013.70	1,029.20
Other current assets	236.9	243.2
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Total current assets	2,273.10	2,432.50
Net property, plant and equipment	5,785.10	5,832.60
Goodwill	1,916.10	1,926.40
Intangibles, net	644.8	691.1
Intercompany notes receivable	0	0
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	201.8	157.1
Assets	10,820.90	11,039.70
Current portion of debt	126.4	132.6
Accounts payable	789.8	812.8
Accrued compensation and benefits	212.6	224.4
Other current liabilities	190.4	190.7
Intercompany payables	0	0
Total current liabilities	1,319.20	1,360.50
Long-term debt due after one year	2,623	2,852.10
Intercompany notes payable	0	0
Pension liabilities, net of current portion	1,026.30	1,090.90
Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	94.6	101.7
Deferred income taxes	1,152.80	1,132.80
Other long-term liabilities	164.6	180.6
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	13.4	13.7
Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholdersâ€™ equity	4,426.50	4,306.80
Noncontrolling interests	0.5	0.6
Total equity	4,427	4,307.40
Liabilities and Equity	10,820.90	11,039.70
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	21.4	14.5	13.2	14.8
Restricted cash	8.8	8.8
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	22.2	34.6
Intercompany receivables	57.2	87.2
Total current assets	109.6	145.1
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intangibles, net	0	0
Intercompany notes receivable	248.2	266.5
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	6,891.20	6,680.30
Other assets	24.6	30.8
Assets	7,273.60	7,122.70
Current portion of debt	122.2	91.7
Accounts payable	0.1	0
Accrued compensation and benefits	0	0
Other current liabilities	14.5	14.2
Intercompany payables	0	0
Total current liabilities	136.8	105.9
Long-term debt due after one year	2,331.30	2,330.90
Intercompany notes payable	374.9	374.9
Pension liabilities, net of current portion	0	0
Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	4.1	4.2
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholdersâ€™ equity	4,426.50	4,306.80
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	4,426.50	4,306.80
Liabilities and Equity	7,273.60	7,122.70
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2.7	1.7	6.2	1.2
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	42.9	93.5
Inventories	854.4	852
Other current assets	181.7	205.9
Intercompany receivables	1.3	6.3
Total current assets	1,083	1,159.40
Net property, plant and equipment	5,436.50	5,432.30
Goodwill	1,832.70	1,820.10
Intangibles, net	635.2	655.9
Intercompany notes receivable	775.8	607.6
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	401.5	390.6
Other assets	164.2	110.7
Assets	10,328.90	10,176.60
Current portion of debt	3.4	3.9
Accounts payable	722.4	736.1
Accrued compensation and benefits	186.4	196.1
Other current liabilities	150.5	178.6
Intercompany payables	31.3	82.6
Total current liabilities	1,094	1,197.30
Long-term debt due after one year	0.2	0.2
Intercompany notes payable	236	236
Pension liabilities, net of current portion	891.1	916.8
Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	55.8	57.6
Deferred income taxes	1,141.70	1,126.80
Other long-term liabilities	156.2	173.6
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	7.1	7.7
Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholdersâ€™ equity	6,746.30	6,460
Noncontrolling interests	0.5	0.6
Total equity	6,746.80	6,460.60
Liabilities and Equity	10,328.90	10,176.60
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	15.6	16.4	12.8	20.4
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	960.3	1,048.10
Inventories	159.3	177.2
Other current assets	33.4	35.4
Intercompany receivables	3.2	13.5
Total current assets	1,171.80	1,290.60
Net property, plant and equipment	348.6	400.3
Goodwill	83.4	106.3
Intangibles, net	9.6	35.2
Intercompany notes receivable	0	0
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	17.8	21.7
Assets	1,631.20	1,854.10
Current portion of debt	0.8	37
Accounts payable	96.5	99.6
Accrued compensation and benefits	26.2	28.3
Other current liabilities	25.8	30.6
Intercompany payables	30.4	24.4
Total current liabilities	179.7	219.9
Long-term debt due after one year	291.5	521
Intercompany notes payable	413.1	263.2
Pension liabilities, net of current portion	135.2	174.1
Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	38.8	44.1
Deferred income taxes	15.9	12.1
Other long-term liabilities	4.3	2.8
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	6.3	6
Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholdersâ€™ equity	546.4	610.9
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	546.4	610.9
Liabilities and Equity	1,631.20	1,854.10
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	-29.2	-22.9
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	-0.4	-32.7
Intercompany receivables	-61.7	-107
Total current assets	-91.3	-162.6
Net property, plant and equipment	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intangibles, net	0	0
Intercompany notes receivable	-1,024	-874.1
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	-7,292.70	-7,070.90
Other assets	-4.8	-6.1
Assets	-8,412.80	-8,113.70
Current portion of debt	0	0
Accounts payable	-29.2	-22.9
Accrued compensation and benefits	0	0
Other current liabilities	-0.4	-32.7
Intercompany payables	-61.7	-107
Total current liabilities	-91.3	-162.6
Long-term debt due after one year	0	0
Intercompany notes payable	-1,024	-874.1
Pension liabilities, net of current portion	0	0
Postretirement benefit liabilities, net of current portion	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-4.8	-6.1
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total Rock-Tenn Company shareholdersâ€™ equity	-7,292.70	-7,070.90
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	-7,292.70	-7,070.90
Liabilities and Equity	($8,412.80)	($8,113.70)

Selected_Consolidating_Financi4

Selected Consolidating Financial Statements of Parent, Guarantors and Non-Guarantors Guarantor Financial Data (Cash Flow) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used For) Operating Activities	$550.80	$531.10
Capital expenditures	-235.2	-227.1
Cash received (paid) for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	3.7	-60
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	0.4	0.4
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary and affiliates	0	3.8
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	8.4	13.3
Proceeds from property, plant and equipment insurance settlement	0	3.4
Intercompany notes issued	0	0
Intercompany notes proceeds	0	0
Intercompany return of capital	0
Intercompany capital investment		0
Intercompany capital distribution		0
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	-222.7	-266.2
Additions to revolving credit facilities	148.9	142.8
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	-109	-153.5
Additions to debt	110.9	172.7
Repayments of debt	-377.8	-329.7
Commercial card program	-0.6	0
Debt issuance costs	-0.1	-0.2
Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	-26.8	-13.8
Purchases of common stock	-8.7	-53
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	16.4	14.5
Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	0	0
Advances from (repayments to) unconsolidated entity	-0.4	2
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-71.4	-50.9
Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	-1.3	-0.3
Intercompany notes borrowing	0	0
Intercompany notes payments	0	0
Intercompany capital distribution	0
Intercompany capital receipt		0
Intercompany return of capital		0
Intercompany dividends	0	0
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	-319.9	-269.4
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1.1	0.3
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	7.1	-4.2
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	32.6	36.4
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	39.7	32.2
Non-cash Intercompany Investment Transaction Between Guarantor Subsidiary and Non-Guarantor Subsidiary		23.6
Intercompany capital investment, non-cash		0
Intercompany notes receivable, non-cash		0
Intercompany capital contributed, non-cash		0
Intercompany notes payable, non-cash		0
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used For) Operating Activities	35.6	29.2
Capital expenditures	0	0
Cash received (paid) for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-60
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	0	0
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary and affiliates		0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from property, plant and equipment insurance settlement		0
Intercompany notes issued	0	0
Intercompany notes proceeds	16.3	3.5
Intercompany return of capital	1.5
Intercompany capital investment		0
Intercompany capital distribution		0
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	17.8	-56.5
Additions to revolving credit facilities	131.5	132.2
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	-70.4	-118.8
Additions to debt	0	0
Repayments of debt	-30.6	0
Commercial card program	0
Debt issuance costs	-0.1	-0.2
Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	-26.8	-13.8
Purchases of common stock	-8.7	-53
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	0
Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	30	130.2
Advances from (repayments to) unconsolidated entity	0	0
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-71.4	-50.9
Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Intercompany notes borrowing	0	0
Intercompany notes payments	0	0
Intercompany capital distribution	0
Intercompany capital receipt		0
Intercompany return of capital		0
Intercompany dividends	0	0
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	-46.5	25.7
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6.9	-1.6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	14.5	14.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	21.4	13.2
Intercompany capital investment, non-cash		0
Intercompany notes receivable, non-cash		0
Intercompany capital contributed, non-cash		0
Intercompany notes payable, non-cash		0
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used For) Operating Activities	418.2	359
Capital expenditures	-230.3	-216.7
Cash received (paid) for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	3.7	0
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	0.4	0.4
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary and affiliates		0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	8.1	4.6
Proceeds from property, plant and equipment insurance settlement		3.4
Intercompany notes issued	-255.5	-181.6
Intercompany notes proceeds	87.4	174.9
Intercompany return of capital	0
Intercompany capital investment		5.1
Intercompany capital distribution		0
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	-386.2	-220.1
Additions to revolving credit facilities	0	0
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	0	0
Additions to debt	0	0
Repayments of debt	-0.1	-0.1
Commercial card program	-0.6
Debt issuance costs	0	0
Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	0	0
Purchases of common stock	0	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	16.4	14.5
Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	-46.3	-150.1
Advances from (repayments to) unconsolidated entity	-0.4	2
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	0	0
Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Intercompany notes borrowing	0	0
Intercompany notes payments	0	-1.3
Intercompany capital distribution	0
Intercompany capital receipt		0
Intercompany return of capital		1.1
Intercompany dividends	0	0
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	-31	-133.9
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1	5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1.7	1.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2.7	6.2
Intercompany capital investment, non-cash		-23.6
Intercompany notes receivable, non-cash		23.6
Intercompany capital contributed, non-cash		0
Intercompany notes payable, non-cash		0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used For) Operating Activities	113.2	156.4
Capital expenditures	-4.9	-10.4
Cash received (paid) for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	0	0
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary and affiliates		3.8
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0.3	8.7
Proceeds from property, plant and equipment insurance settlement		0
Intercompany notes issued	0	0
Intercompany notes proceeds	0	1.3
Intercompany return of capital	0
Intercompany capital investment		0
Intercompany capital distribution		-1.1
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	-4.6	2.3
Additions to revolving credit facilities	17.4	10.6
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	-38.6	-34.7
Additions to debt	110.9	172.7
Repayments of debt	-347.1	-329.6
Commercial card program	0
Debt issuance costs	0	0
Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	0	0
Purchases of common stock	0	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	0
Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	16.3	19.9
Advances from (repayments to) unconsolidated entity	0	0
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	0	0
Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	-1.3	-0.3
Intercompany notes borrowing	255.5	181.6
Intercompany notes payments	-103.7	-178.4
Intercompany capital distribution	-1.5
Intercompany capital receipt		5.1
Intercompany return of capital		0
Intercompany dividends	-16.2	-13.5
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	-108.3	-166.6
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1.1	0.3
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-0.8	-7.6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	16.4	20.4
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	15.6	12.8
Intercompany capital investment, non-cash		0
Intercompany notes receivable, non-cash		0
Intercompany capital contributed, non-cash		23.6
Intercompany notes payable, non-cash		-23.6
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used For) Operating Activities	-16.2	-13.5
Capital expenditures	0	0
Cash received (paid) for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Return of capital from unconsolidated entities	0	0
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary and affiliates		0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from property, plant and equipment insurance settlement		0
Intercompany notes issued	255.5	181.6
Intercompany notes proceeds	-103.7	-179.7
Intercompany return of capital	-1.5
Intercompany capital investment		-5.1
Intercompany capital distribution		1.1
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	150.3	8.1
Additions to revolving credit facilities	0	0
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	0	0
Additions to debt	0	0
Repayments of debt	0	0
Commercial card program	0
Debt issuance costs	0	0
Issuances of common stock, net of related minimum tax withholdings	0	0
Purchases of common stock	0	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	0
Advances from (repayments to) consolidated entities	0	0
Advances from (repayments to) unconsolidated entity	0	0
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	0	0
Cash distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Intercompany notes borrowing	-255.5	-181.6
Intercompany notes payments	103.7	179.7
Intercompany capital distribution	1.5
Intercompany capital receipt		-5.1
Intercompany return of capital		-1.1
Intercompany dividends	16.2	13.5
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	-134.1	5.4
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Intercompany capital investment, non-cash		23.6
Intercompany notes receivable, non-cash		-23.6
Intercompany capital contributed, non-cash		-23.6
Intercompany notes payable, non-cash		$23.60