Clean Harbors (CLH) 10-Q 8 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

DOCUMENT_AND_ENTITY_INFORMATIO

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	5-May-14
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CLEAN HARBORS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000822818	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	60,765,766

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$249,007	$310,073
Marketable securities	213	12,435
Accounts receivable, net of allowances aggregating $20,094 and $18,106, respectively	566,394	579,394
Unbilled accounts receivable	40,832	26,568
Deferred costs	16,523	16,134
Inventories and supplies	152,443	152,096
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	56,677	41,962
Deferred tax assets	32,469	32,517
Total current assets	1,114,558	1,171,179
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,588,286	1,602,170
Other assets:	'	'
Deferred financing costs	20,036	20,860
Goodwill	565,062	570,960
Permits and other intangibles, net	557,211	569,973
Other	18,802	18,536
Total other assets	1,161,111	1,180,329
Total assets	3,863,955	3,953,678
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,119	1,329
Accounts payable	284,768	316,462
Deferred revenue	56,469	55,454
Accrued expenses	213,096	236,829
Current portion of closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities	31,866	29,471
Total current liabilities	587,318	639,545
Other liabilities:	'	'
Closure and post-closure liabilities, less current portion of $7,629 and $5,884, respectively	40,809	41,201
Remedial liabilities, less current portion of $24,237 and $23,587, respectively	144,485	148,911
Long-term obligations	1,400,000	1,400,000
Capital lease obligations, less current portion	913	1,435
Deferred taxes, unrecognized tax benefits and other long-term liabilities	244,795	246,947
Total other liabilities	1,831,002	1,838,494
Common stock, $.01 par value:	'	'
Authorized 80,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 60,717,774 and 60,672,180 shares, respectively	607	607
Shares held under employee participation plan	-469	-469
Additional paid-in capital	900,726	898,165
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-61,081	-19,556
Accumulated earnings	605,852	596,892
Total stockholders’ equity	1,445,635	1,475,639
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$3,863,955	$3,953,678

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, current portion	$20,094	$18,106
Closure and post-closure liabilities, current portion	7,629	5,884
Remedial liabilities, current portion	$24,237	$23,587
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in USD per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	60,717,774	60,672,180
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	60,717,774	60,672,180

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'
Service revenues	$660,095	$672,622
Product revenues	186,572	189,541
Total revenues	846,667	862,163
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)	'	'
Service revenues	466,799	468,372
Product revenues	158,920	167,652
Total cost of revenues	625,719	636,024
Selling, general and administrative expenses	118,962	128,470
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,724	2,835
Depreciation and amortization	69,356	60,006
Income from operations	29,906	34,828
Other income	4,178	525
Interest expense, net of interest income of $205 and $111, respectively	-19,554	-19,873
Income before provision for income taxes	14,530	15,480
Provision for income taxes	5,570	4,978
Net income	$8,960	$10,502
Earnings per share:	'	'
Basic (in USD per share)	$0.15	$0.17
Diluted (in USD per share)	$0.15	$0.17
Shares used to compute earnings per share - Basic (in shares)	60,720	60,464
Shares used to compute earnings per share - Diluted (in shares)	60,861	60,630

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Interest income	$205	$111

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$8,960	$10,502
Other comprehensive loss:	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities (net of taxes of $152 and $70 respectively)	860	-549
Reclassification adjustment for gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income (net of taxes of $496)	-2,812	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-39,573	-23,312
Other comprehensive loss	-41,525	-23,861
Comprehensive loss	($32,565)	($13,359)

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Change in fair value of available for sale securities, tax	($152)	$70
Reclassification adjustment for gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income, taxes	$496	$0

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME4

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$8,960	$10,502
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	69,356	60,006
Pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting inventory adjustments	0	13,559
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2,086	1,823
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount	824	846
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,724	2,835
Changes in environmental liability estimates	-821	-58
Deferred income taxes	0	32
Stock-based compensation	2,278	1,887
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	-117	-1,227
Income tax benefit related to stock option exercises	117	1,216
Other income	-4,178	-525
Environmental expenditures	-4,186	-5,291
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions	'	'
Accounts receivable	3,741	-28,726
Inventories and supplies	-1,709	13,573
Other current assets	-30,532	6,377
Accounts payable	-23,374	-16,112
Other current and long-term liabilities	-20,573	-21,128
Net cash from operating activities	4,596	39,589
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-75,005	-72,249
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	876	921
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	12,870	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-197
Additions to intangible assets, including costs to obtain or renew permits	-1,075	-725
Net cash used in investing activities	-62,334	-72,250
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	21	26,419
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	397
Remittance of shares, net	-750	-41
Repurchases of common stock	-1,225	0
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2,141	1,546
Deferred financing costs paid	0	-2,318
Payments on capital leases	-638	-1,346
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	0	-250
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	117	1,227
Net cash from financing activities	-334	25,634
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-2,994	-705
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-61,066	-7,732
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	310,073	229,836
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	249,007	222,104
Cash payments for interest and income taxes:	'	'
Interest paid	21,436	21,725
Income taxes paid	5,389	3,662
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment accrued	26,715	21,722
Transfer of inventory to property, plant and equipment	$0	$11,369

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME5

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Shares Held Under Employee Participation Plan	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Earnings
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,475,639	$607	($469)	$898,165	($19,556)	$596,892
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	60,672	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	8,960	'	'	'	'	8,960
Other comprehensive loss	-41,525	'	'	'	-41,525	'
Stock-based compensation	2,278	'	'	2,278	'	'
Stock-based compensation (in shares)	'	42	'	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted shares, net of shares remitted	-750	'	'	-750	'	'
Issuance of restricted shares, net of shares remitted (in shares)	'	-14	'	'	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	-1,225	'	'	-1,225	'	'
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)	'	-25	'	'	'	'
Net tax benefit on exercise of stock-based awards	117	'	'	117	'	'
Net tax benefit on exercise of stock-based awards (in shares)	'	0	'	'	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan	2,141	'	'	2,141	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	'	43	'	'	'	'
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$1,445,635	$607	($469)	$900,726	($61,081)	$605,852
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	'	60,718	'	'	'	'

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements are unaudited and include the accounts of Clean Harbors, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Clean Harbors,” the “Company” or "we") and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year or any other interim periods. The financial statements presented herein should be read in connection with the financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The Company's significant accounting policies are described in Note 2, "Significant Accounting Policies," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no material changes in these policies or their application.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Standards implemented
	On January 1. 2014, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2013-11 Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This standard provides guidance regarding when an unrecognized tax benefit should be classified as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or when it should be classified as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
	Standards to be implemented
	In April 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360). The amendments in ASU 2014-08 provide guidance for the recognition and disclosure of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company is still evaluating the impact that ASU No. 2014-08 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	'
	BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
	Evergreen
	On September 13, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Evergreen Oil, Inc. (“Evergreen”) for approximately $55.9 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The final purchase price remains subject to adjustment upon finalization of Evergreen’s net working capital balance as of the closing date. Evergreen, headquartered in Irvine, California, specializes in the recovery and re-refining of used oil and is currently the second-largest collector of used oil in California. Evergreen owns and operates one of the only oil re-refining operations in the western United States and also offers other ancillary environmental services, including parts cleaning and containerized waste services, vacuum services and hazardous waste management services. The acquisition of Evergreen enables the Company to further penetrate the small quantity waste generator market and further expand its oil re-refining, oil recycling and waste treatment capabilities.
	Management determined the purchase price allocations based on estimates of the fair values of all tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company believes that such information provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. As of March 31, 2014, the Company has finalized the purchase accounting for the acquisition of Evergreen, except for the other assets, environmental liabilities, taxes and goodwill. The impact of the purchase price measurement period adjustments and related tax impacts recorded in the current period was not material to the consolidated financial statements and accordingly, the effects have not been retrospectively applied.
	The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at September 13, 2013 (in thousands):
		At acquisition date as reported at			Measurement Period Adjustments			At acquisition date as reported at
		31-Dec-13						31-Mar-14
	Inventories and supplies	$	1,089		$	—		$	1,089
	Prepaid and other current assets	1,291			—			1,291
	Property, plant and equipment	40,563			—			40,563
	Permits and other intangibles	17,100			—			17,100
	Deferred tax assets, less current portion	2,368			—			2,368
	Other assets	3,607			(37		)	3,570
	Current liabilities	(6,198		)	(66		)	(6,264		)
	Closure and post-closure liabilities	(659		)	—			(659		)
	Remedial liabilities, less current portion	(2,103		)	103			(2,000		)
	Other long-term liabilities	(1,139		)	—			(1,139		)
	Total identifiable net assets	55,919			—			55,919
	Goodwill	—			—			—
	Total	$	55,919		$	—		$	55,919

MARKETABLE_SECURITIES

MARKETABLE SECURITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	MARKETABLE SECURITIES
	The Company classifies its marketable securities as available-for-sale and, accordingly, carries such securities at fair value based upon readily available quoted market prices of the securities. Unrealized gains and losses are reported, net of tax, as a component of other comprehensive income. On March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, marketable securities held by the Company were recorded at $0.2 million and $12.4 million, respectively. Marketable securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
	During the quarter ended March 31, 2014 the Company sold marketable securities and recognized a gain of $3.3 million recorded as other income in the consolidated statement of income.

INVENTORIES_AND_SUPPLIES

INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES	'
	INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES
	Inventories and supplies consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Oil and oil products	$	59,242	$	59,639
	Supplies and drums	65,882		64,471
	Solvent and solutions	9,955		10,100
	Other	17,364		17,886
	Total inventories and supplies	$	152,443	$	152,096

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	'
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Land	$	99,338	$	99,794
	Asset retirement costs (non-landfill)	10,909		10,938
	Landfill assets	101,540		100,983
	Buildings and improvements	331,969		327,956
	Camp equipment	180,874		187,831
	Vehicles	432,849		425,296
	Equipment	1,220,857		1,201,296
	Furniture and fixtures	5,260		5,260
	Construction in progress	68,123		58,010
		2,451,719		2,417,364
	Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	863,433		815,194
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,588,286	$	1,602,170

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The changes to goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		2014
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	570,960
	Foreign currency translation	(5,898		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	565,062
	The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at least on an annual basis as of December 31, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of the reporting unit may exceed its fair value. The Company conducted the annual impairment test of goodwill for all reporting units as of December 31, 2013 and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill for any reporting unit was necessary because the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values.
	The fair value of the Oil Re-refining and Recycling reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by less than 10% at December 31, 2013. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014 the reporting unit has experienced lower than anticipated financial results primarily due to lower overall oil pricing and sales mix between base oils and higher priced blended oils. The lower sales prices reflected general economic conditions in the oil industry during these periods. The financial performance of this reporting unit, which had a goodwill balance of approximately $170.1 million at March 31, 2014, is affected by fluctuations in oil prices and sales mix. In light of the reporting units performance the Company continues to evaluate the risk of goodwill impairment and during the first quarter of 2014 has performed analysis surrounding the impact of the lower than anticipated results on the reporting unit's fair value. Based on such analysis the Company continues to conclude that the fair value of the reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value at March 31, 2014.
	The fair value of the Oil and Gas Field Services reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by more than 10% at December 31, 2013. The financial performance of this reporting unit, which had a goodwill balance of approximately $36.3 million at March 31, 2014, was affected in the first quarter by decreased surface rentals and low rig counts. During the first quarter of 2014, due to lower than anticipated results in the Oil and Gas Field Services reporting unit, the Company performed an interim analysis of the impact of the lower than anticipated results on the reporting unit's fair value in the quarter, and concluded the fair value of the reporting unit more likely than not exceeded its carrying value at March 31, 2014.
	Significant judgments are inherent in the annual impairment tests and analysis performed at interim dates and include assumptions about the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, growth rates, and the determination of appropriate discount rates. The Company believes that the assumptions used in the impairment analysis are reasonable, but variations in any of the assumptions may result in different calculations of fair values that could result in a material impairment charge. The impairment analysis performed during the year ended December 31, 2013 utilized future annual budgeted amounts. The discount rate assumptions were based on an assessment of the Company's weighted average cost of capital. Analysis performed in the first quarter of 2014 included a comparison of actual versus budgeted results and considerations as to whether the other significant assumptions utilized as of December 31, 2013 remained reasonable.
	The performance of the reporting unit and risk that its fair value will reduce to a level that does not exceed its carrying value will continue to be monitored going forward. There can be no assurance that future events and performance of the Oil Re-refining and Recycling reporting unit and Oil and Gas Field Services reporting unit will not result in an impairment of goodwill.
	Below is a summary of amortizable other intangible assets (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated		Net		Weighted	Cost		Accumulated		Net		Weighted
					Amortization				Average			Amortization				Average
									Remaining Amortization							Remaining Amortization
									Period							Period
									(in years)							(in years)
	Permits	$	156,502		$	51,644	$	104,858	20.8	$	157,327	$	50,858	$	106,469	19.6
	Customer and supplier relationships	374,593			59,142		315,451		11.7	377,899		52,814		325,085		12.1
	Other intangible assets	29,137			16,395		12,742		2.9	29,299		15,518		13,781		3.3
	Total amortizable permits and other intangible assets	560,232			127,181		433,051		11.9	564,525		119,190		445,335		12.2
	Trademarks and trade names	124,160			—		124,160		Indefinite	124,638		—		124,638		Indefinite
	Total permits and other intangible assets	$	684,392		$	127,181	$	557,211		$	689,163	$	119,190	$	569,973
	Below is the expected future amortization of the net carrying amount of finite lived intangible assets at March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31,	Expected Amortization
	2014 (nine months)	$	26,555
	2015	35,149
	2016	34,362
	2017	32,448
	2018	29,732
	Thereafter	274,805
		$	433,051

ACCRUED_EXPENSES

ACCRUED EXPENSES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
ACCRUED EXPENSES	'
	ACCRUED EXPENSES
	Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Insurance	$	62,478	$	57,993
	Interest	17,909		20,731
	Accrued compensation and benefits	49,821		60,902
	Income, real estate, sales and other taxes	35,510		38,938
	Other	47,378		58,265
	Total accrued expenses	$	213,096	$	236,829

CLOSURE_AND_POSTCLOSURE_LIABIL

CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES	'
	CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES
	The changes to closure and post-closure liabilities (also referred to as “asset retirement obligations”) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Landfill			Non-Landfill			Total
		Retirement			Retirement
		Liability			Liability
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	27,604		$	19,481		$	47,085
	New asset retirement obligations	921			—			921
	Accretion	716			456			1,172
	Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	—			216			216
	Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	165			—			165
	Expenditures	(576		)	(336		)	(912		)
	Currency translation and other	(97		)	(112		)	(209		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	28,733		$	19,705		$	48,438
	All of the landfill facilities included in the above were active as of March 31, 2014. New asset retirement obligations incurred during the first three months of 2014 were discounted at the credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 6.54%. There were no significant charges (benefits) in 2014 resulting from changes in estimates for closure and post-closure liabilities.

REMEDIAL_LIABILITIES

REMEDIAL LIABILITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]	'
REMEDIAL LIABILITIES	'
	REMEDIAL LIABILITIES
	The changes to remedial liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Remedial			Remedial			Remedial			Total
		Liabilities for			Liabilities for			Liabilities
		Landfill Sites			Inactive Sites			(Including
								Superfund) for
								Non-Landfill
								Operations
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	5,624		$	74,262		$	92,612		$	172,498
	Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	—			—			(125		)	(125		)
	Accretion	66			756			730			1,552
	Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(126		)	(259		)	(652		)	(1,037		)
	Expenditures	(32		)	(1,399		)	(1,843		)	(3,274		)
	Currency translation and other	(108		)	(40		)	(744		)	(892		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	5,424		$	73,320		$	89,978		$	168,722
	In the three months ended March 31, 2014, the reduction in changes in estimates recorded to the statement of income was $1.0 million and primarily related to timing changes for various projects.

FINANCING_ARRANGEMENTS

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	'
	FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
	The following table is a summary of the Company’s financing arrangements (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Senior unsecured notes, at 5.25%, due August 1, 2020	$	800,000	$	800,000
	Senior unsecured notes, at 5.125%, due June 1, 2021	600,000		600,000
	Long-term obligations	$	1,400,000	$	1,400,000
	On July 30, 2012, the Company issued through a private placement $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2020 ("2020 Notes") with semi-annually fixed interest payments on February 1 and August 1 of each year, which commenced on February 1, 2013. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company's 2020 Notes was $811.1 million and $804.2 million, respectively, based on quoted market prices or other available market data. The fair value of the 2020 Notes is considered a Level 2 measure according to the fair value hierarchy.
	On December 7, 2012, the Company issued through a private placement $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior unsecured notes due 2021 ("2021 Notes") with semi-annually fixed interest payments on June 1 and December 1 of each year, which commenced on June 1, 2013. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company's 2021 Notes was $603.2 million and $601.6 million, respectively, based on quoted market prices or other available market data. The fair value of the 2021 Notes is considered a Level 2 measure according to the fair value hierarchy.
	The Company also maintains a revolving credit facility which as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 had no outstanding loan balances. At March 31, 2014, $251.1 million was available to borrow and outstanding letters of credit were $148.9 million. At December 31, 2013, $259.7 million was available to borrow and outstanding letters of credit were $140.3 million December 31, 2013.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 38.3% compared to 32.2% for the same period in 2013.
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had recorded $1.3 million of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and $0.2 million of interest, respectively.
	Due to expiring statute of limitation periods, the Company believes that total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.1 million within the next twelve months.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following are computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands except for per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Net income	$	8,960	$	10,502
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding	60,720		60,464
	Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards	141		166
	Dilutive shares outstanding	60,861		60,630
	Basic earnings per share:	$	0.15	$	0.17
	Diluted earnings per share:	$	0.15	$	0.17
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the dilutive effect of all then outstanding options, restricted stock and performance awards is included in the EPS calculations above except for 101,059 outstanding performance stock awards for which the performance criteria were not attained at that time. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the EPS calculations above include the dilutive effects of all then outstanding options, restricted stock, and performance awards except for 61,000 outstanding performance stock awards for which the performance criteria were not attained at that time.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component and related tax effects for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation				Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-For-Sale Securities			Unfunded Pension Liability			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	(20,164	)		$	1,904		$	(1,296	)	$	(19,556	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(39,573		)		1,012			—			(38,561		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	—			$	(3,308	)	$	—		$	(3,308	)
	Tax effects	$	—			$	344		$	—		$	344
	Other comprehensive loss	$	(39,573	)		$	(1,952	)	$	—		$	(41,525	)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(59,737	)		$	(48	)	$	(1,296	)	$	(61,081	)
	The amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into the consolidated statement of income, with presentation location during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Comprehensive Loss Components		March 31, 2014				Location
	Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments		$	(3,308	)		Other income

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal and Administrative Proceedings
	The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Actions filed against the Company arise from commercial and employment-related claims including alleged class actions related to sales practices and wage and hour claims. The plaintiffs in these actions may be seeking damages or injunctive relief or both. These actions are in various jurisdictions and stages of proceedings, and some are covered in part by insurance. In addition, the Company’s waste management services operations are regulated by federal, state, provincial and local laws enacted to regulate discharge of materials into the environment, remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater or otherwise protect the environment. This ongoing regulation results in the Company frequently becoming a party to legal or administrative proceedings involving all levels of governmental authorities and other interested parties. The issues involved in such proceedings generally relate to alleged violations of existing permits and licenses or alleged responsibility under federal or state Superfund laws to remediate contamination at properties owned either by the Company or by other parties (“third party sites”) to which either the Company or the prior owners of certain of the Company’s facilities shipped wastes.
	At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had recorded reserves of $42.3 million and $41.7 million, respectively, in the Company's financial statements for actual or probable liabilities related to the legal and administrative proceedings in which the Company was then involved, the principal of which are described below. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company also believed that it was reasonably possible that the amount of these potential liabilities could be as much as $3.4 million and $3.5 million more, respectively. The Company periodically adjusts the aggregate amount of these reserves when actual or probable liabilities are paid or otherwise discharged, new claims arise, or additional relevant information about existing or probable claims becomes available. As of March 31, 2014, the $42.3 million of reserves consisted of (i) $33.8 million related to pending legal or administrative proceedings, including Superfund liabilities, which were included in remedial liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, and (ii) $8.5 million primarily related to federal and state enforcement actions, which were included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.
	As of March 31, 2014, the principal legal and administrative proceedings in which the Company was involved, or which had been terminated during 2014, were as follows:
	Ville Mercier.    In September 2002, the Company acquired the stock of a subsidiary (the "Mercier Subsidiary") which owns a hazardous waste incinerator in Ville Mercier, Quebec (the "Mercier Facility"). The property adjacent to the Mercier Facility, which is also owned by the Mercier Subsidiary, is now contaminated as a result of actions dating back to 1968, when the Government of Quebec issued to a company unrelated to the Mercier Subsidiary two permits to dump organic liquids into lagoons on the property. In 1999, Ville Mercier and three neighboring municipalities filed separate legal proceedings against the Mercier Subsidiary and the Government of Quebec. In 2012, the municipalities amended their existing statement of claim to seek $2.9 million (cdn) in general damages and $10.0 million (cdn) in punitive damages, plus interest and costs, as well as injunctive relief. Both the Government of Quebec and the Company have filed summary judgment motions against the municipalities that are scheduled to be heard in September of 2014. In September 2007, the Quebec Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks issued a Notice pursuant to Section 115.1 of the Environment Quality Act, superseding Notices issued in 1992, which are the subject of the pending litigation. The more recent Notice notifies the Mercier Subsidiary that, if the Mercier Subsidiary does not take certain remedial measures at the site, the Minister intends to undertake those measures at the site and claim direct and indirect costs related to such measures.
	The Mercier Subsidiary continues to assert that it has no responsibility for the groundwater contamination in the region and will contest any action by the Ministry to impose costs for remedial measures on the Mercier Subsidiary. The Company also continues to pursue settlement options. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had accrued $13.3 million and $13.6 million, respectively, for remedial liabilities relating to the Ville Mercier legal proceedings.
	Safety-Kleen Legal Proceedings. On December 28, 2012, the Company acquired Safety-Kleen and thereby became subject to the legal proceedings in which Safety-Kleen was a party on that date. In addition to certain Superfund proceedings in which Safety-Kleen has been named as a potentially responsible party as described below under “Superfund Proceedings,” the principal such legal proceedings involving Safety-Kleen which were outstanding as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Product Liability Cases. Safety-Kleen is named as a defendant in various lawsuits that are currently pending in various courts and jurisdictions throughout the United States, including approximately 63 proceedings (excluding cases which have been settled but not formally dismissed) as of March 31, 2014, wherein persons claim personal injury resulting from the use of Safety-Kleen's parts cleaning equipment or cleaning products. These proceedings typically involve allegations that the solvent used in Safety-Kleen's parts cleaning equipment contains contaminants and/or that Safety-Kleen's recycling process does not effectively remove the contaminants that become entrained in the solvent during their use. In addition, certain claimants assert that Safety-Kleen failed to warn adequately the product user of potential risks, including an historic failure to warn that solvent contains trace amounts of toxic or hazardous substances such as benzene. Safety-Kleen maintains insurance that it believes will provide coverage for these claims (over amounts accrued for self-insured retentions and deductibles in certain limited cases), except for punitive damages to the extent not insurable under state law or excluded from insurance coverage. Safety-Kleen believes that these claims lack merit and has historically vigorously defended, and intends to continue to vigorously defend, itself and the safety of its products against all of these claims. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes are not predictable with assurance. Consequently, Safety-Kleen is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or financial impact with respect to these matters as of March 31, 2014. From December 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014, six product liability claims were settled or dismissed. Due to the nature of these claims and the related insurance, the Company did not incur any expense as Safety-Kleen's insurance provided coverage in full for all such claims. Safety-Kleen may be named in similar, additional lawsuits in the future, including claims for which insurance coverage may not be available.
	Fee Class Action Claims. In October 2010, two customers filed a complaint, individually and on behalf of all similarly situated customers in the State of Alabama, alleging that Safety-Kleen improperly assessed fuel surcharges and extended area service fees. Safety-Kleen disputes the basis of the claims on numerous grounds, including that Safety-Kleen has contracts with numerous customers authorizing the assessment of such fees and that in cases where no contract exists Safety-Kleen provides customers with a document at the time of service reflecting the assessment of the fee, followed by an invoice itemizing the fee. It is Safety-Kleen's position that it had the right to assess fuel surcharges, that the customers consented to the charges and that the surcharges were voluntarily paid by the customers when presented with an invoice. The lawsuit is still in its initial stages of discovery, with the focus being whether a class will be certified. The class certification-related fact discovery cutoff was extended to June 4, 2014, and a hearing on class certification will be scheduled to occur after October 15, 2014. The plaintiff has filed a motion to extend the discovery cutoff and trial date, but the court has not ruled on these requests. In late June 2012, a nearly identical lawsuit was filed by the same law firm on behalf of a California-based customer. That lawsuit contends, under various state law theories, that Safety-Kleen impermissibly assessed fuel surcharges and late payment fees and seeks certification of a class of California customers only. Safety-Kleen will assert the same defenses as in the Alabama litigation. In December 2012, a similar suit was filed by the same law firm on behalf of a Missouri-based customer which contends under various state law theories that Safety-Kleen impermissibly assessed fuel surcharges and seeks certification of a class of Missouri customers only. Safety-Kleen will assert the same defenses as in the Alabama and California cases. Plaintiff’s class certification brief must be filed by May 1, 2014, with Safety-Kleen’s opposition due by June 2, 2014. Trial has been set for May 18, 2015. The Company is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or financial impact, if any, with respect to these matters as of March 31, 2014, and no reserve has been recorded.
	Superfund Proceedings
	The Company has been notified that either the Company (which, since December 28, 2012, includes Safety-Kleen) or the prior owners of certain of the Company's facilities for which the Company may have certain indemnification obligations have been identified as potentially responsible parties ("PRPs") or potential PRPs in connection with 124 sites which are subject to or are proposed to become subject to proceedings under federal or state Superfund laws. Of the 124 sites, two (the Wichita Facility and the BR Facility described below) involve facilities that are now owned by the Company and 122 involve third party sites to which either the Company or the prior owners of certain of the Company’s facilities shipped wastes. Of the 122 third party sites, 29 are now settled, 21 are currently requiring expenditures on remediation and 72 are not currently requiring expenditures on remediation.
	In connection with each site, the Company has estimated the extent, if any, to which it may be subject, either directly or as a result of any indemnification obligations, for cleanup and remediation costs, related legal and consulting costs associated with PRP investigations, settlements, and related legal and administrative proceedings. The amount of such actual and potential liability is inherently difficult to estimate because of, among other relevant factors, uncertainties as to the legal liability (if any) of the Company or the prior owners of certain of the Company's facilities to contribute a portion of the cleanup costs, the assumptions that must be made in calculating the estimated cost and timing of remediation, the identification of other PRPs and their respective capability and obligation to contribute to remediation efforts, and the existence and legal standing of indemnification agreements (if any) with prior owners, which may either benefit the Company or subject the Company to potential indemnification obligations. In addition to the Wichita Property and the BR Facility, Clean Harbors believes its potential liability could exceed $100,000 at 16 of the 122 third party sites.
	Wichita Property.    The Company acquired in 2002 as part of the CSD assets a service center located in Wichita, Kansas (the "Wichita Property"). The Wichita Property is one of several properties located within the boundaries of a 1,400 acre state-designated Superfund site in an old industrial section of Wichita known as the North Industrial Corridor Site. Along with numerous other PRPs, the former owner executed a consent decree relating to such site with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA"), and the Company is continuing an ongoing remediation program for the Wichita Property in accordance with that consent decree. The Company also acquired rights under an indemnification agreement between the former owner and an earlier owner of the Wichita Property which the Company anticipates but cannot guarantee will be available to reimburse certain such cleanup costs.
	BR Facility.    The Company acquired in 2002 a former hazardous waste incinerator and landfill in Baton Rouge (the "BR Facility"), for which operations had been previously discontinued by the prior owner. In September 2007, the EPA issued a special notice letter to the Company related to the Devil's Swamp Lake Site ("Devil's Swamp") in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. Devil's Swamp includes a lake located downstream of an outfall ditch where wastewater and stormwater have been discharged, and Devil's Swamp is proposed to be included on the National Priorities List due to the presence of Contaminants of Concern ("COC") cited by the EPA. These COCs include substances of the kind found in wastewater and storm water discharged from the BR Facility in past operations. The EPA originally requested COC generators to submit a good faith offer to conduct a remedial investigation feasibility study directed towards the eventual remediation of the site. The Company is currently performing corrective actions at the BR Facility under an order issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (the "LDEQ"), and has begun conducting the remedial investigation and feasibility study under an order issued by the EPA. The Company cannot presently estimate the potential additional liability for the Devil's Swamp cleanup until a final remedy is selected by the EPA.
	Third Party Sites.    Of the 122 third party sites at which the Company has been notified it is a PRP or potential PRP or may have indemnification obligations, Clean Harbors has an indemnification agreement at 11 of these sites with ChemWaste, a former subsidiary of Waste Management, Inc., and at five additional of these third party sites, Safety-Kleen has a similar indemnification agreement with McKesson Corporation. These agreements indemnify the Company (which now includes Safety-Kleen) with respect to any liability at the 16 sites for waste disposed prior to the Company's (or Safety-Kleen's) acquisition of the former subsidiaries of Waste Management or McKesson which had shipped wastes to those sites. Accordingly, Waste Management or McKesson are paying all costs of defending those subsidiaries in those 16 cases, including legal fees and settlement costs. However, there can be no guarantee that the Company's ultimate liabilities for those sites will not exceed the amount recorded or that indemnities applicable to any of these sites will be available to pay all or a portion of related costs. Except for the indemnification agreements which the Company holds from ChemWaste and McKesson, the Company does not have an indemnity agreement with respect to any of the 122 third party sites discussed above.
	Federal, State and Provincial Enforcement Actions
	From time to time, the Company pays fines or penalties in regulatory proceedings relating primarily to waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were four and five proceedings, respectively, for which the Company reasonably believed that the sanctions could equal or exceed $100,000. The Company believes that the fines or other penalties in these or any of the other regulatory proceedings will, individually or in the aggregate, not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

SEGMENT_REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT REPORTING	'
	SEGMENT REPORTING
	The Company's operations are managed in five reportable segments: Technical Services, Oil Re-refining and Recycling, SK Environmental Services, Industrial and Field Services and Oil and Gas Field Services.
	Performance of the segments is evaluated on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is “Adjusted EBITDA,” which consists of net income plus accretion of environmental liabilities, depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, provision for income taxes and pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting adjustments. Also excluded is other income as it is not considered part of usual business operations. Transactions between the segments are accounted for at the Company’s estimate of fair value based on similar transactions with outside customers.
	The operations not managed through the Company’s five reportable segments are recorded as “Corporate Items.” Corporate Items revenues consist of two different operations for which the revenues are insignificant. Corporate Items cost of revenues represents certain central services that are not allocated to the five segments for internal reporting purposes. Corporate Items selling, general and administrative expenses include typical corporate items such as legal, accounting and other items of a general corporate nature that are not allocated to the Company’s five reportable segments.
	The following table reconciles third party revenues to direct revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands). Third party revenue is revenue billed to outside customers by a particular segment. Direct revenue is the revenue allocated to the segment performing the provided service. The Company analyzes results of operations based on direct revenues because the Company believes that these revenues and related expenses best reflect the manner in which operations are managed. Intersegment revenues represent the sharing of third party revenues among the segments based on products and services provided by each segment as if the products and services were sold directly to the third party. The intersegment revenues are shown net. The negative intersegment revenues are due to more transfers out of customer revenues to other segments than transfers in of customer revenues from other segments.
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Technical			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Industrial and Field			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services									Services			Services			Items
	Third party revenues	$	236,781		$	137,986		$	152,322		$	215,676		$	103,751		$	151		$	846,667
	Intersegment revenues, net	37,434			(56,213		)	28,054			(11,113		)	1,838			—			—
	Corporate Items, net	399			—			(58		)	156			12			(509		)	—
	Direct revenues	$	274,614		$	81,773		$	180,318		$	204,719		$	105,601		$	(358	)	$	846,667
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Technical			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Industrial and Field			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services									Services			Services			Items
	Third party revenues	$	233,939		$	146,931		$	152,955		$	221,418		$	116,696		$	(9,776	)	$	862,163
	Intersegment revenues, net	24,419			(56,561		)	41,405			(13,356		)	4,093			—			—
	Corporate Items, net	852			—			84			138			(151		)	(923		)	—
	Direct revenues	$	259,210		$	90,370		$	194,444		$	208,200		$	120,638		$	(10,699	)	$	862,163
	The following table presents information used by management for each reportable segment (in thousands). The Company does not allocate interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, accretion of environmental liabilities, pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting adjustments, and other income, to its segments.
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Technical Services	$	62,177		$	60,045
	Oil Re-refining and Recycling	13,432			15,312
	SK Environmental Services	21,976			27,040
	Industrial and Field Services	34,141			36,346
	Oil and Gas Field Services	16,299			27,551
	Corporate Items	(46,039		)	(55,066		)
	Total	$	101,986		$	111,228
	Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
	Pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting inventory adjustment	—			13,559
	Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,724			2,835
	Depreciation and amortization	69,356			60,006
	Income from operations	29,906			34,828
	Other income	(4,178		)	(525		)
	Interest expense, net of interest income	19,554			19,873
	Income before provision for income taxes	$	14,530		$	15,480
	The following table presents certain assets by reportable segment and in the aggregate (in thousands):
		31-Mar-14
		Technical			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Industrial and Field			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services									Services			Services			Items
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	401,130		$	208,977		$	244,984		$	389,686		$	238,228		$	105,281		$	1,588,286
	Goodwill	45,384			170,073			171,314			142,014			36,277			—			565,062
	Permits and other intangible, net	78,405			157,966			261,894			32,751			26,195			—			557,211
	Total assets	$	701,399		$	631,238		$	770,402		$	624,200		$	386,721		$	749,995		$	3,863,955
		31-Dec-13
		Technical			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Industrial and Field			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services									Services			Services			Items
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	400,544		$	211,513		$	239,596		$	405,327		$	237,335		$	107,855		$	1,602,170
	Goodwill	45,599			171,161			172,308			144,385			37,507			—			570,960
	Permits and other intangible, net	80,302			160,807			265,104			35,332			28,428			—			569,973
	Total assets	$	699,675		$	643,256		$	774,401		$	634,541		$	395,805		$	806,000		$	3,953,678
	The following table presents total assets by geographical area (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	United States	$	2,652,218		$	2,684,686
	Canada	1,209,350			1,266,505
	Other foreign	2,387			2,487
	Total	$	3,863,955		$	3,953,678

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Financial Information [Abstract]	'
GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'
	GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	The 2020 Notes and 2021 Notes are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's subsidiaries organized in the United States. Each guarantor for the 2020 Notes and 2021 Notes is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and its guarantee is both full and unconditional and joint and several.  The 2020 Notes and 2021 Notes are not guaranteed by the Company’s Canadian or other foreign subsidiaries. The following presents supplemental condensed consolidating financial information for the parent company, the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries, respectively.
	Following is the condensed consolidating balance sheet at March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,006		$	200,691		$	47,310		$	—		$	249,007
	Intercompany receivables	255,774			2,418			212,558			(470,750		)	—
	Accounts receivable, net	—			374,008			192,386			—			566,394
	Other current assets	24,087			201,731			73,339			—			299,157
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			954,458			633,828			—			1,588,286
	Investments in subsidiaries	2,671,744			952,030			144,953			(3,768,727		)	—
	Intercompany debt receivable	—			475,548			3,701			(479,249		)	—
	Goodwill	—			415,453			149,609			—			565,062
	Permits and other intangibles, net	—			453,122			104,089			—			557,211
	Other long-term assets	22,946			7,263			8,629			—			38,838
	Total assets	$	2,975,557		$	4,036,722		$	1,570,402		$	(4,718,726	)	$	3,863,955
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Current liabilities	$	37,586		$	424,583		$	125,149		$	—		$	587,318
	Intercompany payables	—			468,281			2,469			(470,750		)	—
	Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	—			154,440			30,854			—			185,294
	Long-term obligations	1,400,000			—			—			—			1,400,000
	Capital lease obligations, net	—			152			761			—			913
	Intercompany debt payable	3,701			—			475,548			(479,249		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	88,635			103,107			53,053			—			244,795
	Total liabilities	1,529,922			1,150,563			687,834			(949,999		)	2,418,320
	Stockholders’ equity	1,445,635			2,886,159			882,568			(3,768,727		)	1,445,635
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,975,557		$	4,036,722		$	1,570,402		$	(4,718,726	)	$	3,863,955
	Following is the condensed consolidating balance sheet at December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,006		$	235,445		$	73,622		$	—		$	310,073
	Intercompany receivables	269,580			2,448			230,224			(502,252		)	—
	Accounts receivables	—			387,006			192,388			—			579,394
	Other current assets	24,087			182,881			74,744			—			281,712
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			945,280			656,890			—			1,602,170
	Investments in subsidiaries	2,683,158			967,186			144,953			(3,795,297		)	—
	Intercompany debt receivable	—			493,402			3,701			(497,103		)	—
	Goodwill	—			415,541			155,419			—			570,960
	Permits and other intangibles, net	—			458,917			111,056			—			569,973
	Other long-term assets	23,770			7,018			8,608			—			39,396
	Total assets	$	3,001,601		$	4,095,124		$	1,651,605		$	(4,794,652	)	$	3,953,678
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Current liabilities	$	33,626		$	466,454		$	139,465		$	—		$	639,545
	Intercompany payables	—			499,749			2,503			(502,252		)	—
	Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	—			158,298			31,814			—			190,112
	Long-term obligations	1,400,000			—			—			—			1,400,000
	Capital lease obligations, net	—			191			1,244			—			1,435
	Intercompany debt payable	3,701			—			493,402			(497,103		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	88,635			103,125			55,187			—			246,947
	Total liabilities	1,525,962			1,227,817			723,615			(999,355		)	2,478,039
	Stockholders’ equity	1,475,639			2,867,307			927,990			(3,795,297		)	1,475,639
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,001,601		$	4,095,124		$	1,651,605		$	(4,794,652	)	$	3,953,678
	Following is the consolidating statement of (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Service revenues	$	—		$	443,874		$	219,005		$	(2,784	)	$	660,095
	Product revenues	—			134,875			52,493			(796		)	186,572
Total revenues	—			578,749			271,498			(3,580		)	846,667
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Service cost of revenues	—			304,641			164,942			(2,784		)	466,799
Product cost of revenues	—			114,928			44,788			(796		)	158,920
Total cost of revenues	—			419,569			209,730			(3,580		)	625,719
Selling, general and administrative expenses	31			87,553			31,378			—			118,962
Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			2,348			376			—			2,724
Depreciation and amortization	—			42,732			26,624			—			69,356
Income from operations	(31		)	26,547			3,390			—			29,906
Other income	—			909			3,269			—			4,178
Interest (expense) income	(19,734		)	230			(50		)	—			(19,554		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	30,109			8,462			—			(38,571		)	—
Intercompany dividend income	—			—			3,100			(3,100		)	—
Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			9,384			(9,384		)	—			—
Income before provision for income taxes	10,344			45,532			325			(41,671		)	14,530
Provision for income taxes	1,384			4,105			81			—			5,570
Net income	8,960			41,427			244			(41,671		)	8,960
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(41,525		)	(41,525		)	19,682			21,843			(41,525		)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(32,565	)	$	(98	)	$	19,926		$	(19,828	)	$	(32,565	)
Following is the consolidating statement of (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
							Subsidiaries
Revenues
Service revenues	$	—		$	399,235		$	281,419		$	(8,032	)	$	672,622
Product revenues	—			160,863			30,942			(2,264		)	189,541
Total revenues	—			560,098			312,361			(10,296		)	862,163
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Service cost of revenues	—			274,172			202,232			(8,032		)	468,372
Product cost of revenues	—			143,641			26,275			(2,264		)	167,652
Total cost of revenues	—			417,813			228,507			(10,296		)	636,024
Selling, general and administrative expenses	25			95,561			32,884			—			128,470
Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			2,400			435			—			2,835
Depreciation and amortization	—			37,289			22,717			—			60,006
Income from operations	(25		)	7,035			27,818			—			34,828
Other income (expense)	—			720			(195		)	—			525
Interest expense	(19,800		)	—			(73		)	—			(19,873		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	30,221			21,413			—			(51,634		)	—
Intercompany dividend income	—			—			3,645			(3,645		)	—
Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			10,338			(10,338		)	—			—
Income before provision for income taxes	10,396			39,506			20,857			(55,279		)	15,480
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(106		)	(474		)	5,558			—			4,978
Net income	10,502			39,980			15,299			(55,279		)	10,502
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(23,861		)	(23,861		)	11,772			12,089			(23,861		)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(13,359	)	$	16,119		$	27,071		$	(43,190	)	$	(13,359	)
Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor
							Subsidiaries
Net cash from operating activities	$	(283	)	$	2,808		$	2,071		$	4,596
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(46,287		)	(28,718		)	(75,005		)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	—			228			648			876
Costs to obtain or renew permits	—			(111		)	(964		)	(1,075		)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	—			—			12,870			12,870
Net cash used in investing activities	—			(46,170		)	(16,164		)	(62,334		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in uncashed checks	—			60			(39		)	21
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2,141			—			—			2,141
Remittance of shares, net	(750		)	—			—			(750		)
Repurchases of common stock	(1,225		)	—			—			(1,225		)
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	117			—			—			117
Payments on capital leases	—			(41		)	(597		)	(638		)
Dividends (paid) / received	—			(4,275		)	4,275			—
Interest (payments) / received	—			12,864			(12,864		)	—
Net cash from financing activities	283			8,608			(9,225		)	(334		)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(2,994		)	(2,994		)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			(34,754		)	(26,312		)	(61,066		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,006			235,445			73,622			310,073
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,006		$	200,691		$	47,310		$	249,007
Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor
							Subsidiaries
Net cash from operating activities	$	(32,042	)	$	33,154		$	38,477		$	39,589
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(36,962		)	(35,287		)	(72,249		)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	—			250			671			921
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(197		)	—			—			(197		)
Costs to obtain or renew permits	—			(113		)	(612		)	(725		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(197		)	(36,825		)	(35,228		)	(72,250		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in uncashed checks	—			20,562			5,857			26,419
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	397			—			—			397
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	1,546			—			—			1,546
Remittance of shares, net	(41		)	—			—			(41		)
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	1,227			—			—			1,227
Deferred financing costs paid	(2,318		)	—			—			(2,318		)
Payments of capital leases	—			(80		)	(1,266		)	(1,346		)
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	(250		)	—			—			(250		)
Dividends (paid) / received	—			(3,645		)	3,645			—
Interest received / (payments)	—			11,307			(11,307		)	—
Net cash from financing activities	561			28,144			(3,071		)	25,634
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(705		)	(705		)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(31,678		)	24,473			(527		)	(7,732		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	35,214			140,683			53,939			229,836
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	3,536		$	165,156		$	53,412		$	222,104

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE1

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Standards implemented
	On January 1. 2014, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2013-11 Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This standard provides guidance regarding when an unrecognized tax benefit should be classified as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or when it should be classified as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
	Standards to be implemented
	In April 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360). The amendments in ASU 2014-08 provide guidance for the recognition and disclosure of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company is still evaluating the impact that ASU No. 2014-08 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS_Tables

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables) (Evergreen Oil, Inc)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Evergreen Oil, Inc	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Summary of recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the recognized amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at September 13, 2013 (in thousands):
		At acquisition date as reported at			Measurement Period Adjustments			At acquisition date as reported at
		31-Dec-13						31-Mar-14
	Inventories and supplies	$	1,089		$	—		$	1,089
	Prepaid and other current assets	1,291			—			1,291
	Property, plant and equipment	40,563			—			40,563
	Permits and other intangibles	17,100			—			17,100
	Deferred tax assets, less current portion	2,368			—			2,368
	Other assets	3,607			(37		)	3,570
	Current liabilities	(6,198		)	(66		)	(6,264		)
	Closure and post-closure liabilities	(659		)	—			(659		)
	Remedial liabilities, less current portion	(2,103		)	103			(2,000		)
	Other long-term liabilities	(1,139		)	—			(1,139		)
	Total identifiable net assets	55,919			—			55,919
	Goodwill	—			—			—
	Total	$	55,919		$	—		$	55,919

INVENTORIES_AND_SUPPLIES_Table

INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory	'
	Inventories and supplies consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Oil and oil products	$	59,242	$	59,639
	Supplies and drums	65,882		64,471
	Solvent and solutions	9,955		10,100
	Other	17,364		17,886
	Total inventories and supplies	$	152,443	$	152,096

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_T

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Land	$	99,338	$	99,794
	Asset retirement costs (non-landfill)	10,909		10,938
	Landfill assets	101,540		100,983
	Buildings and improvements	331,969		327,956
	Camp equipment	180,874		187,831
	Vehicles	432,849		425,296
	Equipment	1,220,857		1,201,296
	Furniture and fixtures	5,260		5,260
	Construction in progress	68,123		58,010
		2,451,719		2,417,364
	Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	863,433		815,194
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,588,286	$	1,602,170

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of changes to goodwill	'
	The changes to goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		2014
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	570,960
	Foreign currency translation	(5,898		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	565,062
Summary of amortizable other intangible assets (finite-lived)	'
	Below is a summary of amortizable other intangible assets (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated		Net		Weighted	Cost		Accumulated		Net		Weighted
					Amortization				Average			Amortization				Average
									Remaining Amortization							Remaining Amortization
									Period							Period
									(in years)							(in years)
	Permits	$	156,502		$	51,644	$	104,858	20.8	$	157,327	$	50,858	$	106,469	19.6
	Customer and supplier relationships	374,593			59,142		315,451		11.7	377,899		52,814		325,085		12.1
	Other intangible assets	29,137			16,395		12,742		2.9	29,299		15,518		13,781		3.3
	Total amortizable permits and other intangible assets	560,232			127,181		433,051		11.9	564,525		119,190		445,335		12.2
	Trademarks and trade names	124,160			—		124,160		Indefinite	124,638		—		124,638		Indefinite
	Total permits and other intangible assets	$	684,392		$	127,181	$	557,211		$	689,163	$	119,190	$	569,973
Summary of amortizable other intangible assets (indefinite-lived)	'
	Below is a summary of amortizable other intangible assets (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated		Net		Weighted	Cost		Accumulated		Net		Weighted
					Amortization				Average			Amortization				Average
									Remaining Amortization							Remaining Amortization
									Period							Period
									(in years)							(in years)
	Permits	$	156,502		$	51,644	$	104,858	20.8	$	157,327	$	50,858	$	106,469	19.6
	Customer and supplier relationships	374,593			59,142		315,451		11.7	377,899		52,814		325,085		12.1
	Other intangible assets	29,137			16,395		12,742		2.9	29,299		15,518		13,781		3.3
	Total amortizable permits and other intangible assets	560,232			127,181		433,051		11.9	564,525		119,190		445,335		12.2
	Trademarks and trade names	124,160			—		124,160		Indefinite	124,638		—		124,638		Indefinite
	Total permits and other intangible assets	$	684,392		$	127,181	$	557,211		$	689,163	$	119,190	$	569,973
Schedule of expected amortization for the net carrying amount of finite lived intangible assets	'
	Below is the expected future amortization of the net carrying amount of finite lived intangible assets at March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31,	Expected Amortization
	2014 (nine months)	$	26,555
	2015	35,149
	2016	34,362
	2017	32,448
	2018	29,732
	Thereafter	274,805
		$	433,051

ACCRUED_EXPENSES_Tables

ACCRUED EXPENSES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued expenses	'
	Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Insurance	$	62,478	$	57,993
	Interest	17,909		20,731
	Accrued compensation and benefits	49,821		60,902
	Income, real estate, sales and other taxes	35,510		38,938
	Other	47,378		58,265
	Total accrued expenses	$	213,096	$	236,829

CLOSURE_AND_POSTCLOSURE_LIABIL1

CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of closure and post-closure liabilities	'
	The changes to closure and post-closure liabilities (also referred to as “asset retirement obligations”) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Landfill			Non-Landfill			Total
		Retirement			Retirement
		Liability			Liability
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	27,604		$	19,481		$	47,085
	New asset retirement obligations	921			—			921
	Accretion	716			456			1,172
	Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	—			216			216
	Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	165			—			165
	Expenditures	(576		)	(336		)	(912		)
	Currency translation and other	(97		)	(112		)	(209		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	28,733		$	19,705		$	48,438

REMEDIAL_LIABILITIES_Tables

REMEDIAL LIABILITIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]	'
Changes to remedial liabilities	'
	The changes to remedial liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Remedial			Remedial			Remedial			Total
		Liabilities for			Liabilities for			Liabilities
		Landfill Sites			Inactive Sites			(Including
								Superfund) for
								Non-Landfill
								Operations
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	5,624		$	74,262		$	92,612		$	172,498
	Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	—			—			(125		)	(125		)
	Accretion	66			756			730			1,552
	Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(126		)	(259		)	(652		)	(1,037		)
	Expenditures	(32		)	(1,399		)	(1,843		)	(3,274		)
	Currency translation and other	(108		)	(40		)	(744		)	(892		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	5,424		$	73,320		$	89,978		$	168,722

FINANCING_ARRANGEMENTS_Tables

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of the entity's financial arrangements	'
	The following table is a summary of the Company’s financing arrangements (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Senior unsecured notes, at 5.25%, due August 1, 2020	$	800,000	$	800,000
	Senior unsecured notes, at 5.125%, due June 1, 2021	600,000		600,000
	Long-term obligations	$	1,400,000	$	1,400,000

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share computations	'
	The following are computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands except for per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Net income	$	8,960	$	10,502
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding	60,720		60,464
	Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards	141		166
	Dilutive shares outstanding	60,861		60,630
	Basic earnings per share:	$	0.15	$	0.17
	Diluted earnings per share:	$	0.15	$	0.17

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component and related tax effects for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation				Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-For-Sale Securities			Unfunded Pension Liability			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	(20,164	)		$	1,904		$	(1,296	)	$	(19,556	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(39,573		)		1,012			—			(38,561		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	—			$	(3,308	)	$	—		$	(3,308	)
	Tax effects	$	—			$	344		$	—		$	344
	Other comprehensive loss	$	(39,573	)		$	(1,952	)	$	—		$	(41,525	)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(59,737	)		$	(48	)	$	(1,296	)	$	(61,081	)
Summary of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	The amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into the consolidated statement of income, with presentation location during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Comprehensive Loss Components		March 31, 2014				Location
	Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments		$	(3,308	)		Other income

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Tables

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of third party revenues to direct revenues	'
	The following table reconciles third party revenues to direct revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands). Third party revenue is revenue billed to outside customers by a particular segment. Direct revenue is the revenue allocated to the segment performing the provided service. The Company analyzes results of operations based on direct revenues because the Company believes that these revenues and related expenses best reflect the manner in which operations are managed. Intersegment revenues represent the sharing of third party revenues among the segments based on products and services provided by each segment as if the products and services were sold directly to the third party. The intersegment revenues are shown net. The negative intersegment revenues are due to more transfers out of customer revenues to other segments than transfers in of customer revenues from other segments.
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Technical			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Industrial and Field			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services									Services			Services			Items
	Third party revenues	$	236,781		$	137,986		$	152,322		$	215,676		$	103,751		$	151		$	846,667
	Intersegment revenues, net	37,434			(56,213		)	28,054			(11,113		)	1,838			—			—
	Corporate Items, net	399			—			(58		)	156			12			(509		)	—
	Direct revenues	$	274,614		$	81,773		$	180,318		$	204,719		$	105,601		$	(358	)	$	846,667
		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Technical			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Industrial and Field			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services									Services			Services			Items
	Third party revenues	$	233,939		$	146,931		$	152,955		$	221,418		$	116,696		$	(9,776	)	$	862,163
	Intersegment revenues, net	24,419			(56,561		)	41,405			(13,356		)	4,093			—			—
	Corporate Items, net	852			—			84			138			(151		)	(923		)	—
	Direct revenues	$	259,210		$	90,370		$	194,444		$	208,200		$	120,638		$	(10,699	)	$	862,163
Reconciliation to consolidated statements of income to adjusted EBITDA	'
	The following table presents information used by management for each reportable segment (in thousands). The Company does not allocate interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, accretion of environmental liabilities, pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting adjustments, and other income, to its segments.
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Technical Services	$	62,177		$	60,045
	Oil Re-refining and Recycling	13,432			15,312
	SK Environmental Services	21,976			27,040
	Industrial and Field Services	34,141			36,346
	Oil and Gas Field Services	16,299			27,551
	Corporate Items	(46,039		)	(55,066		)
	Total	$	101,986		$	111,228
	Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
	Pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting inventory adjustment	—			13,559
	Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,724			2,835
	Depreciation and amortization	69,356			60,006
	Income from operations	29,906			34,828
	Other income	(4,178		)	(525		)
	Interest expense, net of interest income	19,554			19,873
	Income before provision for income taxes	$	14,530		$	15,480
PP&E, intangible assets and total assets by segment	'
	The following table presents certain assets by reportable segment and in the aggregate (in thousands):
		31-Mar-14
		Technical			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Industrial and Field			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services									Services			Services			Items
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	401,130		$	208,977		$	244,984		$	389,686		$	238,228		$	105,281		$	1,588,286
	Goodwill	45,384			170,073			171,314			142,014			36,277			—			565,062
	Permits and other intangible, net	78,405			157,966			261,894			32,751			26,195			—			557,211
	Total assets	$	701,399		$	631,238		$	770,402		$	624,200		$	386,721		$	749,995		$	3,863,955
		31-Dec-13
		Technical			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Industrial and Field			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services									Services			Services			Items
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	400,544		$	211,513		$	239,596		$	405,327		$	237,335		$	107,855		$	1,602,170
	Goodwill	45,599			171,161			172,308			144,385			37,507			—			570,960
	Permits and other intangible, net	80,302			160,807			265,104			35,332			28,428			—			569,973
	Total assets	$	699,675		$	643,256		$	774,401		$	634,541		$	395,805		$	806,000		$	3,953,678
Total assets by geographical area	'
	The following table presents total assets by geographical area (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	United States	$	2,652,218		$	2,684,686
	Canada	1,209,350			1,266,505
	Other foreign	2,387			2,487
	Total	$	3,863,955		$	3,953,678

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB1

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheet	'
	Following is the condensed consolidating balance sheet at March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,006		$	200,691		$	47,310		$	—		$	249,007
	Intercompany receivables	255,774			2,418			212,558			(470,750		)	—
	Accounts receivable, net	—			374,008			192,386			—			566,394
	Other current assets	24,087			201,731			73,339			—			299,157
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			954,458			633,828			—			1,588,286
	Investments in subsidiaries	2,671,744			952,030			144,953			(3,768,727		)	—
	Intercompany debt receivable	—			475,548			3,701			(479,249		)	—
	Goodwill	—			415,453			149,609			—			565,062
	Permits and other intangibles, net	—			453,122			104,089			—			557,211
	Other long-term assets	22,946			7,263			8,629			—			38,838
	Total assets	$	2,975,557		$	4,036,722		$	1,570,402		$	(4,718,726	)	$	3,863,955
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Current liabilities	$	37,586		$	424,583		$	125,149		$	—		$	587,318
	Intercompany payables	—			468,281			2,469			(470,750		)	—
	Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	—			154,440			30,854			—			185,294
	Long-term obligations	1,400,000			—			—			—			1,400,000
	Capital lease obligations, net	—			152			761			—			913
	Intercompany debt payable	3,701			—			475,548			(479,249		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	88,635			103,107			53,053			—			244,795
	Total liabilities	1,529,922			1,150,563			687,834			(949,999		)	2,418,320
	Stockholders’ equity	1,445,635			2,886,159			882,568			(3,768,727		)	1,445,635
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,975,557		$	4,036,722		$	1,570,402		$	(4,718,726	)	$	3,863,955
	Following is the condensed consolidating balance sheet at December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,006		$	235,445		$	73,622		$	—		$	310,073
	Intercompany receivables	269,580			2,448			230,224			(502,252		)	—
	Accounts receivables	—			387,006			192,388			—			579,394
	Other current assets	24,087			182,881			74,744			—			281,712
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			945,280			656,890			—			1,602,170
	Investments in subsidiaries	2,683,158			967,186			144,953			(3,795,297		)	—
	Intercompany debt receivable	—			493,402			3,701			(497,103		)	—
	Goodwill	—			415,541			155,419			—			570,960
	Permits and other intangibles, net	—			458,917			111,056			—			569,973
	Other long-term assets	23,770			7,018			8,608			—			39,396
	Total assets	$	3,001,601		$	4,095,124		$	1,651,605		$	(4,794,652	)	$	3,953,678
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Current liabilities	$	33,626		$	466,454		$	139,465		$	—		$	639,545
	Intercompany payables	—			499,749			2,503			(502,252		)	—
	Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	—			158,298			31,814			—			190,112
	Long-term obligations	1,400,000			—			—			—			1,400,000
	Capital lease obligations, net	—			191			1,244			—			1,435
	Intercompany debt payable	3,701			—			493,402			(497,103		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	88,635			103,125			55,187			—			246,947
	Total liabilities	1,525,962			1,227,817			723,615			(999,355		)	2,478,039
	Stockholders’ equity	1,475,639			2,867,307			927,990			(3,795,297		)	1,475,639
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,001,601		$	4,095,124		$	1,651,605		$	(4,794,652	)	$	3,953,678
Schedule of consolidating statement of income	'
	Following is the consolidating statement of (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Service revenues	$	—		$	443,874		$	219,005		$	(2,784	)	$	660,095
	Product revenues	—			134,875			52,493			(796		)	186,572
	Total revenues	—			578,749			271,498			(3,580		)	846,667
	Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
	Service cost of revenues	—			304,641			164,942			(2,784		)	466,799
	Product cost of revenues	—			114,928			44,788			(796		)	158,920
	Total cost of revenues	—			419,569			209,730			(3,580		)	625,719
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	31			87,553			31,378			—			118,962
	Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			2,348			376			—			2,724
	Depreciation and amortization	—			42,732			26,624			—			69,356
	Income from operations	(31		)	26,547			3,390			—			29,906
	Other income	—			909			3,269			—			4,178
	Interest (expense) income	(19,734		)	230			(50		)	—			(19,554		)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	30,109			8,462			—			(38,571		)	—
	Intercompany dividend income	—			—			3,100			(3,100		)	—
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			9,384			(9,384		)	—			—
	Income before provision for income taxes	10,344			45,532			325			(41,671		)	14,530
	Provision for income taxes	1,384			4,105			81			—			5,570
	Net income	8,960			41,427			244			(41,671		)	8,960
	Other comprehensive (loss) income	(41,525		)	(41,525		)	19,682			21,843			(41,525		)
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(32,565	)	$	(98	)	$	19,926		$	(19,828	)	$	(32,565	)
	Following is the consolidating statement of (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Service revenues	$	—		$	399,235		$	281,419		$	(8,032	)	$	672,622
	Product revenues	—			160,863			30,942			(2,264		)	189,541
	Total revenues	—			560,098			312,361			(10,296		)	862,163
	Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
	Service cost of revenues	—			274,172			202,232			(8,032		)	468,372
	Product cost of revenues	—			143,641			26,275			(2,264		)	167,652
	Total cost of revenues	—			417,813			228,507			(10,296		)	636,024
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	25			95,561			32,884			—			128,470
	Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			2,400			435			—			2,835
	Depreciation and amortization	—			37,289			22,717			—			60,006
	Income from operations	(25		)	7,035			27,818			—			34,828
	Other income (expense)	—			720			(195		)	—			525
	Interest expense	(19,800		)	—			(73		)	—			(19,873		)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	30,221			21,413			—			(51,634		)	—
	Intercompany dividend income	—			—			3,645			(3,645		)	—
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			10,338			(10,338		)	—			—
	Income before provision for income taxes	10,396			39,506			20,857			(55,279		)	15,480
	(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(106		)	(474		)	5,558			—			4,978
	Net income	10,502			39,980			15,299			(55,279		)	10,502
	Other comprehensive (loss) income	(23,861		)	(23,861		)	11,772			12,089			(23,861		)
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(13,359	)	$	16,119		$	27,071		$	(43,190	)	$	(13,359	)
Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'
	Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Net cash from operating activities	$	(283	)	$	2,808		$	2,071		$	4,596
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(46,287		)	(28,718		)	(75,005		)
	Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	—			228			648			876
	Costs to obtain or renew permits	—			(111		)	(964		)	(1,075		)
	Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	—			—			12,870			12,870
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			(46,170		)	(16,164		)	(62,334		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Change in uncashed checks	—			60			(39		)	21
	Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2,141			—			—			2,141
	Remittance of shares, net	(750		)	—			—			(750		)
	Repurchases of common stock	(1,225		)	—			—			(1,225		)
	Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	117			—			—			117
	Payments on capital leases	—			(41		)	(597		)	(638		)
	Dividends (paid) / received	—			(4,275		)	4,275			—
	Interest (payments) / received	—			12,864			(12,864		)	—
	Net cash from financing activities	283			8,608			(9,225		)	(334		)
	Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(2,994		)	(2,994		)
	Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			(34,754		)	(26,312		)	(61,066		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,006			235,445			73,622			310,073
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,006		$	200,691		$	47,310		$	249,007
	Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Net cash from operating activities	$	(32,042	)	$	33,154		$	38,477		$	39,589
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(36,962		)	(35,287		)	(72,249		)
	Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	—			250			671			921
	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(197		)	—			—			(197		)
	Costs to obtain or renew permits	—			(113		)	(612		)	(725		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	(197		)	(36,825		)	(35,228		)	(72,250		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Change in uncashed checks	—			20,562			5,857			26,419
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	397			—			—			397
	Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	1,546			—			—			1,546
	Remittance of shares, net	(41		)	—			—			(41		)
	Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	1,227			—			—			1,227
	Deferred financing costs paid	(2,318		)	—			—			(2,318		)
	Payments of capital leases	—			(80		)	(1,266		)	(1,346		)
	Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	(250		)	—			—			(250		)
	Dividends (paid) / received	—			(3,645		)	3,645			—
	Interest received / (payments)	—			11,307			(11,307		)	—
	Net cash from financing activities	561			28,144			(3,071		)	25,634
	Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(705		)	(705		)
	(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(31,678		)	24,473			(527		)	(7,732		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	35,214			140,683			53,939			229,836
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	3,536		$	165,156		$	53,412		$	222,104

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS_Evergree

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Evergreen Oil, Inc) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 13, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Evergreen Oil, Inc	Evergreen Oil, Inc	Preliminary Allocations	Measurement Period Adjustments
					Evergreen Oil, Inc	Evergreen Oil, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding common shares acquired (as a percent)	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
Summary of recognized assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventories and supplies	'	'	$1,089	'	$1,089	$0
Prepaid and other current assets	'	'	1,291	'	1,291	0
Property, plant and equipment	'	'	40,563	'	40,563	0
Permits and other intangibles	'	'	17,100	'	17,100	0
Deferred tax assets, less current portion	'	'	2,368	'	2,368	0
Other assets	'	'	3,570	'	3,607	-37
Current liabilities	'	'	-6,264	'	-6,198	-66
Closure and post-closure liabilities	'	'	-659	'	-659	0
Remedial liabilities, less current portion	'	'	-2,000	'	-2,103	103
Other long-term liabilities	'	'	-1,139	'	-1,139	0
Total identifiable net assets	'	'	55,919	'	55,919	0
Goodwill	565,062	570,960	0	'	0	0
Total	'	'	$55,919	'	$55,919	$0

MARKETABLE_SECURITIES_Details

MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
			Other Income
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Marketable securities	$213,000	$12,435,000	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gain on marketable securities	'	'	$3,300,000

INVENTORIES_AND_SUPPLIES_Detai

INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Oil and oil products	$59,242	$59,639
Supplies and drums	65,882	64,471
Solvent and solutions	9,955	10,100
Other	17,364	17,886
Total inventories and supplies	$152,443	$152,096

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_D

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$2,451,719	$2,417,364
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	863,433	815,194
Total property, plant and equipment, net	1,588,286	1,602,170
Land	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	99,338	99,794
Asset retirement costs (non-landfill)	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	10,909	10,938
Landfill assets	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	101,540	100,983
Buildings and improvements	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	331,969	327,956
Camp equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	180,874	187,831
Vehicles	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	432,849	425,296
Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,220,857	1,201,296
Furniture and fixtures	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	5,260	5,260
Construction in progress	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$68,123	$58,010

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Rollforward of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	$570,960
Foreign currency translation	-5,898
Balance at March 31, 2014	$565,062

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$565,062	$570,960
Oil Re-refining and Recycling	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage Fair Value Exceeded Carrying Value	'	10.00%
Goodwill	170,073	171,161
Oil and Gas Field Services	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage Fair Value Exceeded Carrying Value	'	10.00%
Goodwill	$36,277	$37,507

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Amortizable Other Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	$560,232	$564,525
Accumulated Amortization	127,181	119,190
Net	433,051	445,335
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period (in years)	'11 years 328 days	'12 years 2 months 12 days
Total permits and other intangible assets, Cost	684,392	689,163
Total permits and other intangible assets, Net	557,211	569,973
Trademarks and trade names	'	'
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset, Cost	124,160	124,638
Permits	'	'
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	156,502	157,327
Accumulated Amortization	51,644	50,858
Net	104,858	106,469
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period (in years)	'20 years 277 days	'19 years 7 months 6 days
Customer and supplier relationships	'	'
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	374,593	377,899
Accumulated Amortization	59,142	52,814
Net	315,451	325,085
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period (in years)	'11 years 252 days	'12 years 1 month 6 days
Other intangible assets	'	'
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	29,137	29,299
Accumulated Amortization	16,395	15,518
Net	$12,742	$13,781
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period (in years)	'2 years 332 days	'3 years 3 months 18 days

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Expected Future Amortization) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
2014 (nine months)	$26,555	'
2015	35,149	'
2016	34,362	'
2017	32,448	'
2018	29,732	'
Thereafter	274,805	'
Net	$433,051	$445,335

ACCRUED_EXPENSES_Details

ACCRUED EXPENSES (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Insurance	$62,478	$57,993
Interest	17,909	20,731
Accrued compensation and benefits	49,821	60,902
Income, real estate, sales and other taxes	35,510	38,938
Other	47,378	58,265
Total accrued expenses	$213,096	$236,829

CLOSURE_AND_POSTCLOSURE_LIABIL2

CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes to post-closure liabilities	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	$47,085
New asset retirement obligations	921
Accretion	1,172
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	216
Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	165
Expenditures	-912
Currency translation and other	-209
Balance at March 31, 2014	48,438
Credit-adjusted risk-free rate (as a percent)	6.54%
Landfill Retirement Liability	'
Changes to post-closure liabilities	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	27,604
New asset retirement obligations	921
Accretion	716
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	0
Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	165
Expenditures	-576
Currency translation and other	-97
Balance at March 31, 2014	28,733
Non-Landfill Retirement Liability	'
Changes to post-closure liabilities	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	19,481
New asset retirement obligations	0
Accretion	456
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	216
Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	0
Expenditures	-336
Currency translation and other	-112
Balance at March 31, 2014	$19,705

REMEDIAL_LIABILITIES_Details

REMEDIAL LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	$172,498
Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	-125
Accretion	1,552
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-1,037
Expenditures	-3,274
Currency translation and other	-892
Balance at March 31, 2014	168,722
Remedial Liabilities for Landfill Sites	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	5,624
Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	0
Accretion	66
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-126
Expenditures	-32
Currency translation and other	-108
Balance at March 31, 2014	5,424
Remedial Liabilities for Inactive Sites	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	74,262
Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	0
Accretion	756
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-259
Expenditures	-1,399
Currency translation and other	-40
Balance at March 31, 2014	73,320
Remedial Liabilities (Including Superfund) for Non-Landfill Operations	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at January 1, 2014	92,612
Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	-125
Accretion	730
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-652
Expenditures	-1,843
Currency translation and other	-744
Balance at March 31, 2014	$89,978

FINANCING_ARRANGEMENTS_Details

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 07, 2012
			Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt	Unsecured Debt
			Unsecured Senior Notes 2020	Unsecured Senior Notes 2020	Unsecured Senior Notes 2020	Unsecured Senior Notes 2021	Unsecured Senior Notes 2021	Unsecured Senior Notes 2021
Financing arrangements	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	'	'	$800,000,000	$800,000,000	'	$600,000,000	$600,000,000	'
Long-term obligations	1,400,000,000	1,400,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured notes principal amount	'	'	'	'	800,000,000	'	'	600,000,000
Stated interest rate	'	'	5.25%	5.25%	5.25%	5.13%	5.13%	5.13%
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	'	'	811,100,000	804,200,000	'	603,200,000	601,600,000	'
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility available borrowing capacity	251,100,000	259,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of credit amount outstanding	$148,900,000	$140,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
The Company's effective tax rate (as a percent)	38.30%	32.20%	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	$1.30	'	$1.30
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest	0.2	'	0.2
Foreign and State	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount of decrease in unrecognized tax benefits that, if realized, will impact the effective tax rate	$0.10	'	'

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:	'	'
Net income	$8,960	$10,502
Denominator:	'	'
Basic shares outstanding (in shares)	60,720	60,464
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards (in shares)	141	166
Dilutive shares outstanding (in shares)	60,861	60,630
Basic earnings per share (in USD per share)	$0.15	$0.17
Diluted earnings per share (in USD per share)	$0.15	$0.17

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Text_Detail

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Text) (Details) (Outstanding Stock Awards)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Outstanding Stock Awards	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Shares excluded from computation of earning per share (in shares)	101,059	61,000

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Components of Other Accumulated Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	($19,556)	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-38,561	'
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3,308	'
Tax effects	344	'
Other comprehensive loss	-41,525	-23,861
Ending balance	-61,081	'
Foreign Currency Translation	'	'
Components of Other Accumulated Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	-20,164	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-39,573	'
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	'
Tax effects	0	'
Other comprehensive loss	-39,573	'
Ending balance	-59,737	'
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-For-Sale Securities	'	'
Components of Other Accumulated Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	1,904	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	1,012	'
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3,308	'
Tax effects	344	'
Other comprehensive loss	-1,952	'
Ending balance	-48	'
Unfunded Pension Liability	'	'
Components of Other Accumulated Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	-1,296	'
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0	'
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	'
Tax effects	0	'
Other comprehensive loss	0	'
Ending balance	($1,296)	'

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Other income	($3,308)
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Other income	($3,308)

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2010

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 1999

Dec. 31, 1968

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2002

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

customer

USD ($)

USD ($)

Legal and Administrative Proceedings

Legal and Administrative Proceedings

Ville Mercier

Ville Mercier

Ville Mercier

Ville Mercier

Ville Mercier

Superfund Proceedings

Wichita Property

Certain Other Third Party Sites

Safety-Kleen

Federal and State Enforcement Actions [Member]

Federal and State Enforcement Actions [Member]

claims

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

Municipalities

Permits

USD ($)

USD ($)

facilties

acre

sites

sites

USD ($)

USD ($)

Proceedings

sites

Proceedings

Proceedings

Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reserves relating to legal and administrative proceedings

'

$42,300,000

$41,700,000

$33,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Possible increase in legal and administrative proceedings

'

'

'

3,400,000

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

Loss Contingency, Range of Loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,500,000

'

Number of permits issued by government, for dumping organic liquid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of neighboring municipalities filing separate legal proceedings against the Mercier Subsidiary and the Government of Quebec

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

General Damages Sought

'

'

'

'

'

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Punitive Damages Sought

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued remedial liabilities

'

168,722,000

172,498,000

'

'

'

'

'

13,300,000

13,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of pending personal injury claims allegedly resulting from the used of Safety-Kleen's products

'

63

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

5

Number of product liability claims settled or dismissed

'

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of customers filing a complaint

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of sites owned by third party excluded from cleanup or related liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

124

'

'

'

'

'

Number of sites owned by the entity subject to proceedings under federal or state superfund laws

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

Notices received from owners of third party sites seeking indemnification from the company

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

122

'

'

'

'

'

Number of sites for which environmental remediation expense is settled

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29

'

'

'

'

'

Third party sites requiring expenditure on remediation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21

'

'

'

'

'

Number of sites not currently requiring expenditures on remediation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

72

'

'

'

'

'

Number of sites which potential liability could exceed $100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16

'

'

'

'

'

State-designated superfund site acquired, total acres

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,400

'

'

'

'

Indemnification agreement with third party sites

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11

'

'

'

Notices received from owners of third party sites seeking indemnification from the company

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

16

'

'

Sanctions relating to waste treatment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	segment
Segment reporting information	'	'
Number of reportable segments	5	'
Number of operations for which the revenues are insignificant	2	'
Total revenues	$846,667	$862,163
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	101,986	111,228
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:	'	'
Pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting inventory adjustment	0	13,559
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,724	2,835
Depreciation and amortization	69,356	60,006
Income from operations	29,906	34,828
Other income	-4,178	-525
Interest expense, net of interest income	19,554	19,873
Income before provision for income taxes	14,530	15,480
Technical Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	274,614	259,210
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	62,177	60,045
Oil Re-refining and Recycling	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	81,773	90,370
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	13,432	15,312
SK Environmental Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	180,318	194,444
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	21,976	27,040
Industrial and Field Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	204,719	208,200
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	34,141	36,346
Oil and Gas Field Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	105,601	120,638
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	16,299	27,551
Corporate Items	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	-358	-10,699
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	-46,039	-55,066
Third party revenues	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	846,667	862,163
Third party revenues | Technical Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	236,781	233,939
Third party revenues | Oil Re-refining and Recycling	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	137,986	146,931
Third party revenues | SK Environmental Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	152,322	152,955
Third party revenues | Industrial and Field Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	215,676	221,418
Third party revenues | Oil and Gas Field Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	103,751	116,696
Third party revenues | Corporate Items	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	151	-9,776
Intersegment revenues, net	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	'	'
Intersegment revenues, net | Technical Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	37,434	24,419
Intersegment revenues, net | Oil Re-refining and Recycling	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	-56,213	-56,561
Intersegment revenues, net | SK Environmental Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	28,054	41,405
Intersegment revenues, net | Industrial and Field Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	-11,113	-13,356
Intersegment revenues, net | Oil and Gas Field Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	1,838	4,093
Intersegment revenues, net | Corporate Items	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate Items, net	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate Items, net | Technical Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	399	852
Corporate Items, net | Oil Re-refining and Recycling	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate Items, net | SK Environmental Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	-58	84
Corporate Items, net | Industrial and Field Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	156	138
Corporate Items, net | Oil and Gas Field Services	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	12	-151
Corporate Items, net | Corporate Items	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'
Total revenues	($509)	($923)

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details_2

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	$1,588,286	$1,602,170
Goodwill	565,062	570,960
Permits and other intangible, net	557,211	569,973
Total assets	3,863,955	3,953,678
Technical Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	401,130	400,544
Goodwill	45,384	45,599
Permits and other intangible, net	78,405	80,302
Total assets	701,399	699,675
Oil Re-refining and Recycling	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	208,977	211,513
Goodwill	170,073	171,161
Permits and other intangible, net	157,966	160,807
Total assets	631,238	643,256
SK Environmental Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	244,984	239,596
Goodwill	171,314	172,308
Permits and other intangible, net	261,894	265,104
Total assets	770,402	774,401
Industrial and Field Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	389,686	405,327
Goodwill	142,014	144,385
Permits and other intangible, net	32,751	35,332
Total assets	624,200	634,541
Oil and Gas Field Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	238,228	237,335
Goodwill	36,277	37,507
Permits and other intangible, net	26,195	28,428
Total assets	386,721	395,805
Corporate Items	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	105,281	107,855
Goodwill	0	0
Permits and other intangible, net	0	0
Total assets	$749,995	$806,000

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details_3

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$3,863,955	$3,953,678
United States	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	2,652,218	2,684,686
Canada	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	1,209,350	1,266,505
Other foreign	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$2,387	$2,487

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB2

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$249,007	$310,073	$222,104	$229,836
Intercompany receivables	0	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	566,394	579,394	'	'
Other current assets	299,157	281,712	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,588,286	1,602,170	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	565,062	570,960	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	557,211	569,973	'	'
Other long-term assets	38,838	39,396	'	'
Total assets	3,863,955	3,953,678	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	587,318	639,545	'	'
Intercompany payables	0	0	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	185,294	190,112	'	'
Long-term obligations	1,400,000	1,400,000	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	913	1,435	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	244,795	246,947	'	'
Total liabilities	2,418,320	2,478,039	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	1,445,635	1,475,639	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,863,955	3,953,678	'	'
Clean Harbors, Inc.	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,006	1,006	3,536	35,214
Intercompany receivables	255,774	269,580	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	24,087	24,087	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	2,671,744	2,683,158	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	22,946	23,770	'	'
Total assets	2,975,557	3,001,601	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	37,586	33,626	'	'
Intercompany payables	0	0	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	0	0	'	'
Long-term obligations	1,400,000	1,400,000	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	0	0	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	3,701	3,701	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	88,635	88,635	'	'
Total liabilities	1,529,922	1,525,962	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	1,445,635	1,475,639	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,975,557	3,001,601	'	'
U.S. Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	200,691	235,445	165,156	140,683
Intercompany receivables	2,418	2,448	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	374,008	387,006	'	'
Other current assets	201,731	182,881	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	954,458	945,280	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	952,030	967,186	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	475,548	493,402	'	'
Goodwill	415,453	415,541	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	453,122	458,917	'	'
Other long-term assets	7,263	7,018	'	'
Total assets	4,036,722	4,095,124	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	424,583	466,454	'	'
Intercompany payables	468,281	499,749	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	154,440	158,298	'	'
Long-term obligations	0	0	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	152	191	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	103,107	103,125	'	'
Total liabilities	1,150,563	1,227,817	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	2,886,159	2,867,307	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	4,036,722	4,095,124	'	'
Foreign Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	47,310	73,622	53,412	53,939
Intercompany receivables	212,558	230,224	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	192,386	192,388	'	'
Other current assets	73,339	74,744	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	633,828	656,890	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	144,953	144,953	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	3,701	3,701	'	'
Goodwill	149,609	155,419	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	104,089	111,056	'	'
Other long-term assets	8,629	8,608	'	'
Total assets	1,570,402	1,651,605	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	125,149	139,465	'	'
Intercompany payables	2,469	2,503	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	30,854	31,814	'	'
Long-term obligations	0	0	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	761	1,244	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	475,548	493,402	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	53,053	55,187	'	'
Total liabilities	687,834	723,615	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	882,568	927,990	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,570,402	1,651,605	'	'
Consolidating Adjustments	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivables	-470,750	-502,252	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	0	0	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	-3,768,727	-3,795,297	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	-479,249	-497,103	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	0	0	'	'
Total assets	-4,718,726	-4,794,652	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Intercompany payables	-470,750	-502,252	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	0	0	'	'
Long-term obligations	0	0	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	0	0	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	-479,249	-497,103	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities	-949,999	-999,355	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	-3,768,727	-3,795,297	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	($4,718,726)	($4,794,652)	'	'

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB3

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Consolidating Statements of (Loss) Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Consolidating statement of income	'	'
Service revenues	$660,095	$672,622
Product revenues	186,572	189,541
Total revenues	846,667	862,163
Service cost of revenues	466,799	468,372
Product cost of revenues	158,920	167,652
Total cost of revenues	625,719	636,024
Selling, general and administrative expenses	118,962	128,470
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,724	2,835
Depreciation and amortization	69,356	60,006
Income from operations	29,906	34,828
Other income	4,178	525
Interest (expense) income	-19,554	-19,873
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany dividend income	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Income before provision for income taxes	14,530	15,480
Provision for income taxes	5,570	4,978
Net income	8,960	10,502
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-41,525	-23,861
Comprehensive (loss) income	-32,565	-13,359
Clean Harbors, Inc.	'	'
Consolidating statement of income	'	'
Service revenues	0	0
Product revenues	0	0
Total revenues	0	0
Service cost of revenues	0	0
Product cost of revenues	0	0
Total cost of revenues	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	31	25
Accretion of environmental liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Income from operations	-31	-25
Other income	0	0
Interest (expense) income	-19,734	-19,800
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	30,109	30,221
Intercompany dividend income	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Income before provision for income taxes	10,344	10,396
Provision for income taxes	1,384	-106
Net income	8,960	10,502
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-41,525	-23,861
Comprehensive (loss) income	-32,565	-13,359
U.S. Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Consolidating statement of income	'	'
Service revenues	443,874	399,235
Product revenues	134,875	160,863
Total revenues	578,749	560,098
Service cost of revenues	304,641	274,172
Product cost of revenues	114,928	143,641
Total cost of revenues	419,569	417,813
Selling, general and administrative expenses	87,553	95,561
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,348	2,400
Depreciation and amortization	42,732	37,289
Income from operations	26,547	7,035
Other income	909	720
Interest (expense) income	230	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	8,462	21,413
Intercompany dividend income	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	9,384	10,338
Income before provision for income taxes	45,532	39,506
Provision for income taxes	4,105	-474
Net income	41,427	39,980
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-41,525	-23,861
Comprehensive (loss) income	-98	16,119
Foreign Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Consolidating statement of income	'	'
Service revenues	219,005	281,419
Product revenues	52,493	30,942
Total revenues	271,498	312,361
Service cost of revenues	164,942	202,232
Product cost of revenues	44,788	26,275
Total cost of revenues	209,730	228,507
Selling, general and administrative expenses	31,378	32,884
Accretion of environmental liabilities	376	435
Depreciation and amortization	26,624	22,717
Income from operations	3,390	27,818
Other income	3,269	-195
Interest (expense) income	-50	-73
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany dividend income	3,100	3,645
Intercompany interest income (expense)	-9,384	-10,338
Income before provision for income taxes	325	20,857
Provision for income taxes	81	5,558
Net income	244	15,299
Other comprehensive (loss) income	19,682	11,772
Comprehensive (loss) income	19,926	27,071
Consolidating Adjustments	'	'
Consolidating statement of income	'	'
Service revenues	-2,784	-8,032
Product revenues	-796	-2,264
Total revenues	-3,580	-10,296
Service cost of revenues	-2,784	-8,032
Product cost of revenues	-796	-2,264
Total cost of revenues	-3,580	-10,296
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Accretion of environmental liabilities	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Income from operations	0	0
Other income	0	0
Interest (expense) income	0	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	-38,571	-51,634
Intercompany dividend income	-3,100	-3,645
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0
Income before provision for income taxes	-41,671	-55,279
Provision for income taxes	0	0
Net income	-41,671	-55,279
Other comprehensive (loss) income	21,843	12,089
Comprehensive (loss) income	($19,828)	($43,190)

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB4

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'	'
Net cash from operating activities	$4,596	$39,589
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-75,005	-72,249
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	876	921
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-197
Costs to obtain or renew permits	-1,075	-725
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	12,870	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-62,334	-72,250
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	21	26,419
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	397
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2,141	1,546
Remittance of shares, net	-750	-41
Repurchases of common stock	-1,225	0
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	117	1,227
Deferred financing costs paid	0	-2,318
Payments on capital leases	-638	-1,346
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	0	-250
Dividends (paid) / received	0	0
Interest (payments) / received	0	0
Net cash from financing activities	-334	25,634
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-2,994	-705
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-61,066	-7,732
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	310,073	229,836
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	249,007	222,104
Clean Harbors, Inc.	'	'
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'	'
Net cash from operating activities	-283	-32,042
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	-197
Costs to obtain or renew permits	0	0
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	0	'
Net cash used in investing activities	0	-197
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	'	397
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	2,141	1,546
Remittance of shares, net	-750	-41
Repurchases of common stock	-1,225	'
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	117	1,227
Deferred financing costs paid	'	-2,318
Payments on capital leases	0	0
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	'	-250
Dividends (paid) / received	0	0
Interest (payments) / received	0	0
Net cash from financing activities	283	561
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	0	0
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	0	-31,678
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,006	35,214
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,006	3,536
U.S. Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'	'
Net cash from operating activities	2,808	33,154
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-46,287	-36,962
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	228	250
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	0
Costs to obtain or renew permits	-111	-113
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	0	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-46,170	-36,825
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	60	20,562
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	'	0
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	0	0
Remittance of shares, net	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	'
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	0	0
Deferred financing costs paid	'	0
Payments on capital leases	-41	-80
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	'	0
Dividends (paid) / received	-4,275	-3,645
Interest (payments) / received	12,864	11,307
Net cash from financing activities	8,608	28,144
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	0	0
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-34,754	24,473
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	235,445	140,683
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	200,691	165,156
Foreign Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'	'
Net cash from operating activities	2,071	38,477
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-28,718	-35,287
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	648	671
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	0
Costs to obtain or renew permits	-964	-612
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	12,870	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-16,164	-35,228
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	-39	5,857
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	'	0
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	0	0
Remittance of shares, net	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	'
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	0	0
Deferred financing costs paid	'	0
Payments on capital leases	-597	-1,266
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	'	0
Dividends (paid) / received	4,275	3,645
Interest (payments) / received	-12,864	-11,307
Net cash from financing activities	-9,225	-3,071
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-2,994	-705
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-26,312	-527
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	73,622	53,939
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$47,310	$53,412