Clean Harbors (CLH) 10-Q 10 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

DOCUMENT_AND_ENTITY_INFORMATIO

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014
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	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	59,947,558

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$258,021	$310,073
Marketable securities	0	12,435
Accounts receivable, net of allowances aggregating $22,791 and $18,106, respectively	575,575	579,394
Unbilled accounts receivable	50,050	26,568
Deferred costs	18,676	16,134
Inventories and supplies	170,934	152,096
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	48,540	41,962
Deferred tax assets	32,141	32,517
Total current assets	1,153,937	1,171,179
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,579,701	1,602,170
Other assets:	'	'
Deferred financing costs	18,403	20,860
Goodwill	449,577	570,960
Permits and other intangibles, net	541,874	569,973
Other	17,725	18,536
Total other assets	1,027,579	1,180,329
Total assets	3,761,217	3,953,678
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations	264	1,329
Accounts payable	251,832	316,462
Deferred revenue	63,909	55,454
Accrued expenses	260,123	236,829
Current portion of closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities	32,742	29,471
Total current liabilities	608,870	639,545
Other liabilities:	'	'
Closure and post-closure liabilities, less current portion of $3,839 and $5,884, respectively	46,287	41,201
Remedial liabilities, less current portion of $28,903 and $23,587, respectively	133,972	148,911
Long-term obligations	1,395,000	1,400,000
Capital lease obligations, less current portion	733	1,435
Deferred taxes, unrecognized tax benefits and other long-term liabilities	255,804	246,947
Total other liabilities	1,831,796	1,838,494
Common stock, $.01 par value:	'	'
Authorized 80,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 59,947,866 and 60,672,180 shares, respectively	600	607
Shares held under employee participation plan	-469	-469
Additional paid-in capital	853,350	898,165
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-74,117	-19,556
Accumulated earnings	541,187	596,892
Total stockholders’ equity	1,320,551	1,475,639
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$3,761,217	$3,953,678

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Account Receivable, allowances aggregating	$22,791	$18,106
Closure and post-closure liabilities, current portion	3,839	5,884
Remedial liabilities, less current portion of $28,903 and $23,587, respectively	$28,903	$23,587
Common stock, $.01 par value:	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized shares	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	59,947,866	60,672,180
Common stock, outstanding shares	59,947,866	60,672,180

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	$657,221	$702,033	$1,962,071	$2,048,527
Product revenues	194,244	205,502	594,541	581,699
Total revenues	851,465	907,535	2,556,612	2,630,226
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	440,261	478,434	1,333,443	1,402,409
Product revenues	158,146	168,685	497,633	495,060
Total cost of revenues	598,407	647,119	1,831,076	1,897,469
Selling, general and administrative expenses	99,701	114,464	334,394	365,546
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,642	2,914	7,975	8,628
Depreciation and amortization	70,049	69,430	205,480	196,904
Goodwill impairment charge	123,414	0	123,414	0
(Loss) income from operations	-42,748	73,608	54,273	161,679
Other income (expense)	613	-150	4,136	2,030
Interest expense, net of interest income of $174, $96, $590 and $362, respectively	-19,494	-19,326	-58,430	-58,784
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	-61,629	54,132	-21	104,925
Provision for income taxes	31,708	18,771	55,684	36,160
Net (loss) income	($93,337)	$35,361	($55,705)	$68,765
(Loss) earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in USD per share)	($1.55)	$0.58	($0.92)	$1.14
Diluted (in USD per share)	($1.55)	$0.58	($0.92)	$1.13
Shares used to compute (loss) earnings per share - Basic	60,369	60,610	60,585	60,542
Shares used to compute (loss) earnings per share - Diluted	60,369	60,760	60,585	60,692

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest income	$174	$96	$590	$362

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	($93,337)	$35,361	($55,705)	$68,765
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities (net of taxes of $18, $153, $159 and $61 respectively)	102	1,074	901	359
Reclassification adjustment for gains on available-for-sale securities included in net (loss) income (net of taxes of $4, $0, $508 and $0 respectively)	-23	0	-2,880	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-49,171	20,731	-52,582	-37,921
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-49,092	21,805	-54,561	-37,562
Comprehensive (loss) income	($142,429)	$57,166	($110,266)	$31,203

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, taxes	($18)	($153)	($159)	($61)
Reclassification adjustment for gains on available-for-sale securities included in net (loss) income (net of taxes of $4, $0, $508 and $0 respectively)	$4	$0	$508	$0

UNAUDITED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME4

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net (loss) income	($55,705)	$68,765
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash from operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	205,480	196,904
Goodwill impairment charge	123,414	0
Pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting inventory adjustments	0	13,559
Allowance for doubtful accounts	6,743	5,281
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount	2,457	2,539
Accretion of environmental liabilities	7,975	8,628
Changes in environmental liability estimates	-2,991	-2,417
Deferred income taxes	8,506	272
Stock-based compensation	6,446	6,389
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	-829	-1,589
Income tax benefit related to stock option exercises	829	1,579
Other income	-4,136	-2,030
Environmental expenditures	-12,130	-15,928
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions	'	'
Accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable	-35,708	-88,000
Inventories and supplies	-20,675	1,710
Other current assets	-10,048	27,483
Accounts payable	-53,352	37,257
Other current and long-term liabilities	29,763	19,712
Net cash from operating activities	196,039	280,114
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-198,877	-207,641
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	5,913	3,700
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	12,947	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-6,150	-59,458
Additions to intangible assets, including costs to obtain or renew permits	-5,443	-4,357
Other	914	-11
Net cash used in investing activities	-190,696	-267,767
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	-591	9,754
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	399
Remittance of shares, net	-2,668	-599
Repurchases of common stock	-48,329	0
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	4,364	5,327
Deferred financing costs paid	0	-2,446
Repayment of long-term obligations	-5,000	0
Payments on capital leases	-1,682	-4,096
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	0	-250
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	829	1,589
Net cash from financing activities	-53,077	9,678
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-4,318	-3,226
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-52,052	18,799
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	310,073	229,836
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	258,021	248,635
Cash payments for interest and income taxes:	'	'
Interest paid	58,446	58,084
Income taxes paid	21,737	8,386
Accrual for repurchased shares	5,464	0
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment accrued	23,976	39,804
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 beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,475,639	$607	($469)	$898,165	($19,556)	$596,892
Balance beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	60,672	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	-55,705	'	'	'	'	-55,705
Other comprehensive loss	-54,561	'	'	'	-54,561	'
Stock-based compensation	6,446	'	'	6,446	'	'
Issuance of restricted shares, net of shares remitted	-2,668	1	'	-2,669	'	'
Issuance of restricted shares, net of shares remitted	'	108	'	'	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	-53,793	-9	'	-53,784	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	'	-923	'	'	'	'
Net tax benefit on exercise of stock-based awards	829	'	'	829	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan	4,364	1	'	4,363	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan	'	91	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2014	$1,320,551	$600	($469)	$853,350	($74,117)	$541,187
Balance ending of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	'	59,948	'	'	'	'

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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. Management has made estimates and assumptions affecting the amounts reported in the Company's consolidated interim financial statements and accompanying footnotes, actual results could differ from those estimates and judgments. 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.
	Reclassifications
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company made changes to the manner in which it manages its business, makes operating decisions and assesses performance. These changes included the reassignment of certain departments among its operating segments consistent with management reporting changes as well as the identification of Lodging Services as an additional segment. Under the new structure, the Company's operations are managed in six reportable segments: Technical Services, Industrial and Field Services, Oil Re-refining and Recycling, SK Environmental Services, Lodging Services and Oil and Gas Field Services. The prior year segment information has been recast to conform to the current year presentation. See Note 17, “Segment Reporting.”
	During the third quarter of 2014, the Company has aggregated cash flow effects of the change in unbilled receivables with the change from accounts receivable in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Prior year amounts have been recast to conform to the current year presentation.

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 May 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016.
	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 currently evaluating the impact that the above standards to be implemented will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 a final purchase price of $56.3 million in cash, net of cash acquired. Evergreen, headquartered in Irvine, California, specializes in the recovery and re-refining of used oil. 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. Financial information and results of Evergreen have been recorded in our consolidated financial statements since acquisition and are primarily included in the Oil Re-refining and Recycling segment.
	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. The Company has finalized the purchase accounting for the acquisition of Evergreen. 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						30-Sep-14
	Inventories and supplies	$	1,089		$	—		$	1,089
	Prepaid and other current assets	1,291			(273		)	1,018
	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			(239		)	3,368
	Current liabilities	(6,198		)	(552		)	(6,750		)
	Closure and post-closure liabilities	(659		)	—			(659		)
	Remedial liabilities, less current portion	(2,103		)	463			(1,640		)
	Deferred taxes, unrecognized tax benefits and other long-term liabilities	(1,139		)	(920		)	(2,059		)
	Total identifiable net assets	55,919			(3,889		)	52,030
	Goodwill	—			4,288			4,288
	Total	$	55,919		$	399		$	56,318
	2014 Acquisitions
	On May 30, 2014 the Company acquired certain assets of a privately owned U.S. company which provides carbon treatment systems and rental remediation equipment for approximately $6.2 million in cash. The purchase price is subject to customary post-closing adjustments based upon finalized working capital amounts. The acquired company has been integrated into the Technical Services segment.

MARKETABLE_SECURITIES

MARKETABLE SECURITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014, the Company did not hold any marketable securities. On December 31, 2013, marketable securities held by the Company were recorded at $12.4 million. Those marketable securities were classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company sold marketable securities and recognized a gain of $3.4 million recorded as other income in the consolidated statement of (loss) income. There were no realized gains or losses from the sale of marketable securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

INVENTORIES_AND_SUPPLIES

INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES	'
	INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES
	Inventories and supplies consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Oil and oil products	$	67,005	$	59,639
	Supplies and drums	68,765		64,471
	Solvent and solutions	9,282		10,100
	Other	25,882		17,886
	Total inventories and supplies	$	170,934	$	152,096
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, other inventory primarily consisted of parts washer components and lodging inventory.

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	'
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Land	$	99,006	$	99,794
	Asset retirement costs (non-landfill)	10,899		10,938
	Landfill assets	109,114		100,983
	Buildings and improvements	330,405		327,956
	Camp equipment	178,221		187,831
	Vehicles	466,726		425,296
	Equipment	1,282,855		1,201,296
	Furniture and fixtures	5,574		5,260
	Construction in progress	62,548		58,010
		2,545,348		2,417,364
	Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	965,647		815,194
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,579,701	$	1,602,170

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The changes to goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		2014
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	570,960
	Acquired from acquisitions	5,018
	Increase from adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	4,288
	Goodwill impairment charge	(123,414		)
	Foreign currency translation	(7,275		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	449,577
	At September 30, 2014 the total accumulated goodwill impairment charge was $123.4 million, all within the Oil Re-refining and Recycling segment.
	The Company assesses goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of December 31, or at an interim date when events or changes in the business environment would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying 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 value of each of the reporting units exceeded that reporting unit's respective carrying value.
	During the first and second quarters of 2014, the Company considered both external and business specific circumstances impacting the Oil Re-refining and Recycling reporting unit and concluded that an interim goodwill impairment test was not necessary. However, as of September 30, 2014 and principally resulting from current decreases in the market prices of oil products sold by the reporting unit which negatively impact anticipated revenue and earnings levels, the Company concluded that an interim goodwill impairment test was required.
	In performing Step I of the goodwill impairment test, the estimated fair value of the Oil Re-refining and Recycling reporting unit was determined using an income approach and was compared to the reporting unit's estimated carrying value as of September 30, 2014. Based on the results of that valuation, the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including $174.3 million of goodwill, exceeded the estimated fair value and as a result the Company performed Step II of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of goodwill impairment charge to be recorded.
	Step II of the goodwill impairment test requires the Company to perform a theoretical purchase price allocation for the reporting unit to determine the implied fair value of goodwill and to compare the implied fair value of goodwill to the recorded amount of goodwill. The estimate of fair value requires significant judgment. Based on the results of the goodwill impairment test, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $123.4 million.
	The factors contributing to the $123.4 million goodwill impairment charge principally relate to current decreases in the market prices of base and blended oil products. These factors caused us, relative to the 2013 impairment test, to lower assumptions for future revenues and profits of the business and adversely affected the estimated fair value of the reporting unit as of September 30, 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 $34.9 million at September 30, 2014, was affected in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 by pricing pressures and lower levels of overall activity in the markets and regions that the business serves.
	During the interim periods of fiscal year 2014 and with respect to the Oil and Gas Field Services reporting unit, the Company has considered whether (i) the lower than anticipated results (ii) general economic and industry conditions, and (iii) reporting unit specific factors would more likely than not reduce the estimated fair values of its reporting units below their carrying values. The Company did not perform an interim test for impairment of goodwill related to the Oil and Gas Field Services reporting unit as it does not believe the factors impacting the performance of this reporting unit, through September 30, 2014, would more likely than not reduce the fair value below its carrying value.
	Significant judgments and unobservable inputs categorized as level III in the fair value hierarchy are inherent in the annual impairment tests performed 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 its annual and interim date impairment tests 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 performance of the Company's reporting units will continue to be monitored. If the Company's reporting units do not achieve the financial performance that the Company expects, it is possible that an additional goodwill impairment charge may result. There can therefore be no assurance that future events will not result in an impairment of goodwill.
	As a result of the goodwill impairment charge recorded by the Oil Re-refining and Recycling reporting unit during the third quarter, the Company also considered whether the reporting units' carrying values of finite-lived intangible and other long lived assets may not be entirely recoverable or whether the carrying value of certain indefinite lived intangibles were impaired. As a result of these analyses it was concluded that no impairment of intangible or other long lived assets exist.
	Below is a summary of amortizable other intangible assets (in thousands):
		September 30, 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	$	157,408		$	54,110	$	103,298	20.1	$	157,327	$	50,858	$	106,469	19.6
	Customer and supplier relationships	373,478			72,201		301,277		11.2	377,899		52,814		325,085		12.1
	Other intangible assets	31,714			18,417		13,297		3	29,299		15,518		13,781		3.3
	Total amortizable permits and other intangible assets	562,600			144,728		417,872		11.4	564,525		119,190		445,335		12.2
	Trademarks and trade names	124,002			—		124,002		Indefinite	124,638		—		124,638		Indefinite
	Total permits and other intangible assets	$	686,602		$	144,728	$	541,874		$	689,163	$	119,190	$	569,973
	Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $9.1 million and $27.5 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $8.8 million and $25.9 million, respectively.
	Below is the expected future amortization of the net carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets at September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31,	Expected Amortization
	2014 (three months)	$	8,979
	2015	35,687
	2016	34,901
	2017	32,923
	2018	30,097
	Thereafter	275,285
		$	417,872

ACCRUED_EXPENSES

ACCRUED EXPENSES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
ACCRUED EXPENSES	'
	ACCRUED EXPENSES
	Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Insurance	$	65,558	$	57,993
	Interest	17,809		20,731
	Accrued compensation and benefits	59,604		60,902
	Income, real estate, sales and other taxes	67,000		38,938
	Other	50,152		58,265
	Total accrued expenses	$	260,123	$	236,829

CLOSURE_AND_POSTCLOSURE_LIABIL

CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 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	2,676			—			2,676
	Accretion	1,912			1,399			3,311
	Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(722		)	142			(580		)
	Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	(103		)	—			(103		)
	Expenditures	(1,568		)	(476		)	(2,044		)
	Currency translation and other	(137		)	(82		)	(219		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	29,662		$	20,464		$	50,126
	All of the landfill facilities included in the above were active as of September 30, 2014. New asset retirement obligations incurred during the first nine 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]	'
REMEDIAL LIABILITIES	'
	REMEDIAL LIABILITIES
	The changes to remedial liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 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	—			—			(536		)	(536		)
	Accretion	200			2,280			2,184			4,664
	Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(126		)	(2,385		)	100			(2,411		)
	Expenditures	(82		)	(4,338		)	(5,666		)	(10,086		)
	Currency translation and other	(146		)	(63		)	(1,045		)	(1,254		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	5,470		$	69,756		$	87,649		$	162,875
	In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the reduction in changes in estimates recorded to the statement of (loss) income was $2.4 million and primarily related to estimated cost adjustments for remediation across various sites.

FINANCING_ARRANGEMENTS

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	'
	FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
	The following table is a summary of the Company’s financing arrangements (in thousands):
		September 30, 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	595,000		600,000
	Long-term obligations	$	1,395,000	$	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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company's 2020 Notes was $794.9 million and $804.2 million, respectively, based on quoted market prices for the instrument and accrued interest. 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company's 2021 Notes was $586.2 million and $601.6 million, respectively, based on quoted market prices for the instrument and accrued interest. 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 had no outstanding loan balances. At September 30, 2014, $262.1 million was available to borrow and outstanding letters of credit were $110.4 million. At December 31, 2013, $259.7 million was available to borrow and outstanding letters of credit were $140.3 million.
	Available credit for Parent and its domestic subsidiaries is subject to 85% of their eligible accounts receivable and 100% of their cash deposited in a controlled account with the agent. The revolving credit facility is guaranteed by all of Parent’s domestic subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of Parent’s and its domestic subsidiaries’ assets. Available credit for Parent’s Canadian subsidiaries is subject to 85% of their eligible accounts receivable and 100% of their cash deposited in a controlled account with the agent’s Canadian affiliate. The obligations of the Canadian subsidiaries under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by all of Parent’s Canadian subsidiaries and secured by the accounts receivable of the Canadian subsidiaries, but the Canadian subsidiaries do not guarantee and are not otherwise responsible for the obligations of Parent or its domestic subsidiaries.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	As a result of the goodwill impairment charge recorded in the third quarter, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2.7 million. Absent the impact of the impairment charge on pre-tax income from operations the Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 55.6% and 47.3% compared to 34.7% and 34.5% for the same period in 2013. The increase in the effective rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 is due to a greater sales mix in the U.S. versus Canada and the recording of a reduction to a deferred tax asset.
	As of September 30, 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 12 months.

LOSS_EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
(LOSS) 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					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:
	Net (loss) income	$	(93,337	)	$	35,361	$	(55,705	)	$	68,765
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding	60,369			60,610		60,585			60,542
	Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards	—			150		—			150
	Dilutive shares outstanding	60,369			60,760		60,585			60,692
	Basic (loss) earnings per share:	$	(1.55	)	$	0.58	$	(0.92	)	$	1.14
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share:	$	(1.55	)	$	0.58	$	(0.92	)	$	1.13
	As a result of the net loss reported in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, all outstanding restricted stock awards and performance awards totaling 624,145 were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the EPS calculations above included the dilutive effects of all then outstanding restricted stock awards and performance awards except for 173,000 of outstanding performance stock awards for which the performance criteria were not attained at that time.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation			Unrealized Gains 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) income before reclassifications	(52,582		)	1,060			—			(51,522		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(3,388		)	—			(3,388		)
	Tax effects	—			349			—			349
	Other comprehensive loss	$	(52,582	)	$	(1,979	)	$	—		$	(54,561	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(72,746	)	$	(75	)	$	(1,296	)	$	(74,117	)
	The amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into the consolidated statement of income, with presentation location during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
			For the Three Months Ended			For the Nine Months Ended
	Comprehensive Loss Components		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2014			Location
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments		$	27		$	3,388		Other income (expense)
	There were no reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into the consolidated statement of income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	Stock Awards
	The following table summarizes the total number and type of awards granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as well as the related weighted-average grant-date fair values:
		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2014
		Shares	Weighted Average		Shares	Weighted Average
			Grant-Date			Grant-Date
			Fair Value			Fair Value
	Restricted stock awards	5,000	$	59.01	112,630	$	61.43
	Performance stock awards	—	$	—	130,107	$	62.2
	Total awards	5,000			242,737
	Restricted stock awards issued during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 carry terms which are consistent with historical grants. For the performance stock awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors established two-year performance targets which could potentially be achieved in either 2014 or 2015.
	Common Stock Repurchases
	On February 25, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $150 million of the Company's common stock. As of September 30, 2014, we had repurchased and retired a total of approximately 923,000 shares of our common stock for approximately $53.8 million under this program. As of September 30, 2014, an additional $96.2 million remains available for repurchase of shares under the current authorized program.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had recorded reserves of $42.1 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 September 30, 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 $3.2 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 September 30, 2014, the $42.1 million of reserves consisted of (i) $32.5 million related to pending legal or administrative proceedings, including Superfund liabilities, which were included in remedial liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, and (ii) $9.6 million primarily related to federal, state and provincial enforcement actions, which were included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.
	As of September 30, 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. The parties are currently attempting to negotiate a resolution and hearings on the motions have been delayed. 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had accrued $13.1 million and $13.6 million, respectively, for remedial liabilities relating to the Ville Mercier legal proceedings.
	Refinery Incident. In September 2014, a customer filed suit in Texas against the Company and two other contractors and their respective insurers seeking to be named as an additional insured on the Company’s and the other contractors’ liability policies for an April 2013 industrial fire that occurred at the customer’s refining facility in Texas.  The Company is not a defendant in plaintiffs’ suits arising from the fire. While the Company was not performing services at the time of the fire, it had provided services previously at the work site.  The Company is denying liability in the matter, and is defending the insurance action brought by the customer.  Any potential liability is not currently estimable, and the Company believes it has adequate insurance coverage.  The Company continues to work with all interested parties to resolve the matter.
	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 September 30, 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 58 proceedings (excluding cases which have been settled but not formally dismissed) as of September 30, 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 September 30, 2014. From December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014, 14 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. In 2012, similar lawsuits were filed by the same law firm in California and Missouri. It is Safety-Kleen's position that it had the right to assess fuel surcharges, that the customers were contractually obligated or otherwise consented to the charges, and that the surcharges were voluntarily paid by the customers when presented with an invoice. A class has not been certified in any of these cases, and the parties are attempting to resolve the matter through negotiations.
	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 126 sites which are subject to or are proposed to become subject to proceedings under federal or state Superfund laws. Of the 126 sites, two (the Wichita Facility and the BR Facility described below) involve facilities that are now owned by the Company and 124 involve third party sites to which either the Company or the prior owners of certain of the Company’s facilities shipped wastes. Of the 124 third party sites, 29 are now settled, 20 are currently requiring expenditures on remediation and 75 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 13 of the 124 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 124 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 124 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were five proceedings 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT REPORTING	'
	SEGMENT REPORTING
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company made changes to the manner in which it manages its business, makes operating decisions and assesses performance. These changes included the reassignment of certain departments among its operating segments consistent with management reporting changes as well as the identification of Lodging Services as an additional segment. Under the new structure, the Company's operations are managed in six reportable segments based primarily upon the nature of the various operations and services provided: Technical Services, Industrial and Field Services which consists of the Industrial Services and Field Services operating segments, Oil Re-refining and Recycling, SK Environmental Services, Lodging Services and Oil and Gas Field Services. The prior year segment information has been recast to conform to the current year presentation.
	The following table reconciles third party revenues to direct revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014												For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Third party revenues			Intersegment revenues, net			Corporate Items, net			Direct revenues			Third party revenues			Intersegment revenues, net			Corporate Items, net			Direct revenues
	Technical Services	$	272,478		$	39,296		$	1,628		$	313,402		$	766,057		$	116,812		$	2,805		$	885,674
	Industrial and Field Services	163,582			(9,234		)	29			154,377			510,696			(32,039		)	220			478,877
	Oil Re-refining and Recycling	140,345			(52,606		)	—			87,739			413,282			(155,583		)	(5		)	257,694
	SK Environmental Services	170,980			21,212			—			192,192			503,692			64,476			(58		)	568,110
	Lodging Services	36,582			697			26			37,305			136,148			1,991			52			138,191
	Oil and Gas Field Services	67,370			635			4			68,009			226,319			4,343			(6		)	230,656
	Corporate Items	128			—			(1,687		)	(1,559		)	418			—			(3,008		)	(2,590		)
	Total	$	851,465		$	—		$	—		$	851,465		$	2,556,612		$	—		$	—		$	2,556,612
		For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013												For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Third party revenues			Intersegment revenues, net			Corporate Items, net			Direct revenues			Third party revenues			Intersegment revenues, net			Corporate Items, net			Direct revenues
	Technical Services	$	269,465		$	35,406		$	964		$	305,835		$	759,666		$	85,614		$	3,155		$	848,435
	Industrial and Field Services	174,829			(8,109		)	(72		)	166,648			543,675			(34,549		)	(178		)	508,948
	Oil Re-refining and Recycling	131,934			(45,566		)	—			86,368			395,026			(143,853		)	—			251,173
	SK Environmental Services	170,166			17,164			—			187,330			496,491			84,241			84			580,816
	Lodging Services	55,571			812			145			56,528			155,586			2,621			362			158,569
	Oil and Gas Field Services	104,981			293			(114		)	105,160			288,588			5,926			(314		)	294,200
	Corporate Items	589			—			(923		)	(334		)	(8,806		)	—			(3,109		)	(11,915		)
	Total	$	907,535		$	—		$	—		$	907,535		$	2,630,226		$	—		$	—		$	2,630,226
	Third party revenue is revenue billed to outside customers by a particular segment. Direct revenue is revenue allocated to the segment performing the provided service. 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. The operations not managed through the Company’s six 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 six 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 six reportable segments. Performance of the segments is evaluated on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is “Adjusted EBITDA,” which consists of net (loss) income plus accretion of environmental liabilities, depreciation and amortization, net interest expense, provision for income taxes, other non-cash charges not deemed representative of fundamental segment results and excludes other (income) expense. Transactions between the segments are accounted for at the Company’s best estimate based on similar transactions with outside customers.
	The following table presents Adjusted EBITDA 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, other non-cash charges not deemed representative of fundamental segment results, and other (income) expense to its segments.
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Technical Services	$	86,928		$	78,849		$	233,402		$	208,284
	Industrial and Field Services	20,303			26,709			67,391			75,281
	Oil Re-refining and Recycling	21,473			18,652			49,252			46,750
	SK Environmental Services	30,853			23,192			84,985			84,274
	Lodging Services	15,972			21,710			49,196			63,270
	Oil and Gas Field Services	9,545			20,530			27,688			52,458
	Corporate Items	(31,717		)	(43,690		)	(120,772		)	(149,547		)
	Total	$	153,357		$	145,952		$	391,142		$	380,770
	Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income:
	Pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting inventory adjustment	—			—			—			13,559
	Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,642			2,914			7,975			8,628
	Depreciation and amortization	70,049			69,430			205,480			196,904
	Goodwill impairment charge	123,414			—			123,414			—
	(Loss) income from operations	(42,748		)	73,608			54,273			161,679
	Other (income) expense	(613		)	150			(4,136		)	(2,030		)
	Interest expense, net of interest income	19,494			19,326			58,430			58,784
	(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	$	(61,629	)	$	54,132		$	(21	)	$	104,925
	The following table presents certain assets by reportable segment and in the aggregate (in thousands):
		30-Sep-14
		Technical			Industrial and Field			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Lodging Services			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services			Services												Services			Items
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	412,008		$	252,159		$	204,468		$	242,193		$	143,493		$	223,822		$	101,558		$	1,579,701
	Goodwill	50,336			108,514			51,152			170,986			33,717			34,872			—			449,577
	Permits and other intangible, net	76,594			18,868			153,801			256,171			11,738			24,702			—			541,874
	Total assets	$	758,294		$	409,807		$	545,213		$	740,109		$	223,565		$	377,607		$	706,622		$	3,761,217
		31-Dec-13
		Technical			Industrial and Field			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Lodging Services			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services			Services												Services			Items
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	400,544		$	251,826		$	211,458		$	239,650		$	166,252		$	224,585		$	107,855		$	1,602,170
	Goodwill	45,599			109,873			171,161			172,309			35,512			36,506			—			570,960
	Permits and other intangible, net	80,302			21,147			160,807			265,106			14,730			27,881			—			569,973
	Total assets	$	699,675		$	410,233		$	642,901		$	774,756		$	239,056		$	381,057		$	806,000		$	3,953,678
	The following table presents total assets by geographical area (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
United States	$	2,580,598		$	2,684,686
Canada	1,177,819			1,266,505
Other foreign	2,800			2,487
Total	$	3,761,217		$	3,953,678

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 100% 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 September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,006		$	164,527		$	92,488		$	—		$	258,021
	Intercompany receivables	233,872			2,410			189,823			(426,105		)	—
	Accounts receivable, net	—			411,440			164,135			—			575,575
	Other current assets	24,058			211,238			85,045			—			320,341
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			968,839			610,862			—			1,579,701
	Investments in subsidiaries	2,607,342			815,030			—			(3,422,372		)	—
	Intercompany debt receivable	—			362,470			3,701			(366,171		)	—
	Goodwill	—			319,539			130,038			—			449,577
	Permits and other intangibles, net	—			441,680			100,194			—			541,874
	Other long-term assets	24,576			3,687			7,865			—			36,128
	Total assets	$	2,890,854		$	3,700,860		$	1,384,151		$	(4,214,648	)	$	3,761,217
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Current liabilities	$	79,117		$	410,015		$	119,738		$	—		$	608,870
	Intercompany payables	—			423,646			2,459			(426,105		)	—
	Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	—			150,339			29,920			—			180,259
	Long-term obligations	1,395,000			—			—			—			1,395,000
	Capital lease obligations, net	—			104			629			—			733
	Intercompany debt payable	3,701			—			362,470			(366,171		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	92,485			109,414			53,905			—			255,804
	Total liabilities	1,570,303			1,093,518			569,121			(792,276		)	2,440,666
	Stockholders’ equity	1,320,551			2,607,342			815,030			(3,422,372		)	1,320,551
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,890,854		$	3,700,860		$	1,384,151		$	(4,214,648	)	$	3,761,217
	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 September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Service revenues	$	—		$	420,809		$	243,123		$	(6,711	)	$	657,221
	Product revenues	—			170,762			25,465			(1,983		)	194,244
Total revenues	—			591,571			268,588			(8,694		)	851,465
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Service cost of revenues	—			265,980			180,992			(6,711		)	440,261
Product cost of revenues	—			152,546			7,583			(1,983		)	158,146
Total cost of revenues	—			418,526			188,575			(8,694		)	598,407
Selling, general and administrative expenses	26			71,060			28,615			—			99,701
Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			2,258			384			—			2,642
Depreciation and amortization	—			44,213			25,836			—			70,049
Goodwill impairment charge	—			105,466			17,948			—			123,414
(Loss) income from operations	(26		)	(49,952		)	7,230			—			(42,748		)
Other income (loss)	—			1,930			(1,317		)	—			613
Interest (expense) income	(19,622		)	77			51			—			(19,494		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(105,802		)	(1,038		)	—			106,840			—
Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			7,470			(7,470		)	—			—
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	(125,450		)	(41,513		)	(1,506		)	106,840			(61,629		)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(32,113		)	59,711			4,110			—			31,708
Net (loss) income	(93,337		)	(101,224		)	(5,616		)	106,840			(93,337		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(49,092		)	(49,092		)	32,335			16,757			(49,092		)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(142,429	)	$	(150,316	)	$	26,719		$	123,597		$	(142,429	)
Following is the consolidating statement of income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
							Subsidiaries
Revenues
Service revenues	$	—		$	445,165		$	256,812		$	56		$	702,033
Product revenues	—			169,743			35,815			(56		)	205,502
Total revenues	—			614,908			292,627			—			907,535
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Service cost of revenues	—			300,859			177,519			56			478,434
Product cost of revenues	—			139,683			29,058			(56		)	168,685
Total cost of revenues	—			440,542			206,577			—			647,119
Selling, general and administrative expenses	29			81,496			32,939			—			114,464
Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			2,478			436			—			2,914
Depreciation and amortization	—			45,533			23,897			—			69,430
(Loss) income from operations	(29		)	44,859			28,778			—			73,608
Other income (expense)	—			(111		)	(39		)	—			(150		)
Interest (expense) income	(19,844		)	137			381			—			(19,326		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	58,919			21,064			—			(79,983		)	—
Intercompany dividend income	—			—			3,063			(3,063		)	—
Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			10,107			(10,107		)	—			—
Income before provision for income taxes	39,046			76,056			22,076			(83,046		)	54,132
Provision for income taxes	3,685			8,218			6,868			—			18,771
Net income	35,361			67,838			15,208			(83,046		)	35,361
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21,805			21,805			(10,072		)	(11,733		)	21,805
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	57,166		$	89,643		$	5,136		$	(94,779	)	$	57,166
Following is the consolidating statement of (loss) income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
							Subsidiaries
Revenues
Service revenues	$	—		$	1,322,825		$	654,168		$	(14,922	)	$	1,962,071
Product revenues	—			475,429			123,634			(4,522		)	594,541
Total revenues	—			1,798,254			777,802			(19,444		)	2,556,612
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Service cost of revenues	—			871,509			476,856			(14,922		)	1,333,443
Product cost of revenues	—			403,007			99,148			(4,522		)	497,633
Total cost of revenues	—			1,274,516			576,004			(19,444		)	1,831,076
Selling, general and administrative expenses	82			241,126			93,186			—			334,394
Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			6,825			1,150			—			7,975
Depreciation and amortization	—			128,234			77,246			—			205,480
Goodwill impairment charge	—			105,466			17,948			—			123,414
(Loss) income from operations	(82		)	42,087			12,268			—			54,273
Other income	—			2,716			1,420			—			4,136
Interest (expense) income	(58,968		)	523			15			—			(58,430		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(21,257		)	10,817			—			10,440			—
Intercompany dividend income	—			—			6,238			(6,238		)	—
Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			26,351			(26,351		)	—			—
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	(80,307		)	82,494			(6,410		)	4,202			(21		)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(24,602		)	77,402			2,884						55,684
Net (loss) income	(55,705		)	5,092			(9,294		)	4,202			(55,705		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(54,561		)	(54,561		)	9,090			45,471			(54,561		)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(110,266	)	$	(49,469	)	$	(204	)	$	49,673		$	(110,266	)
Following is the consolidating statement of income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
							Subsidiaries
Revenues
Service revenues	$	—		$	1,295,525		$	755,856		$	(2,854	)	$	2,048,527
Product revenues	—			463,301			119,267			(869		)	581,699
Total revenues	—			1,758,826			875,123			(3,723		)	2,630,226
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Service cost of revenues	—			873,945			531,318			(2,854		)	1,402,409
Product cost of revenues	—			395,891			100,038			(869		)	495,060
Total cost of revenues	—			1,269,836			631,356			(3,723		)	1,897,469
Selling, general and administrative expenses	84			266,941			98,521			—			365,546
Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			7,315			1,313			—			8,628
Depreciation and amortization	—			127,042			69,862			—			196,904
(Loss) income from operations	(84		)	87,692			74,071			—			161,679
Other income (expense)	—			2,858			(828		)	—			2,030
Interest (expense) income	(59,408		)	137			487			—			(58,784		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	134,246			57,040			—			(191,286		)	—
Intercompany dividend income	—			—			10,031			(10,031		)	—
Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			30,414			(30,414		)	—			—
Income before provision for income taxes	74,754			178,141			53,347			(201,317		)	104,925
Provision for income taxes	5,989			14,753			15,418			—			36,160
Net income	68,765			163,388			37,929			(201,317		)	68,765
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(37,562		)	(37,562		)	20,385			17,177			(37,562		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	31,203		$	125,826		$	58,314		$	(184,140	)	$	31,203
Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor
							Subsidiaries
Net cash from operating activities	$	50,804		$	42,595		$	102,640		$	196,039
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(133,335		)	(65,542		)	(198,877		)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	—			3,635			2,278			5,913
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(6,150		)	—			(6,150		)
Costs to obtain or renew permits	—			(589		)	(4,854		)	(5,443		)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	—			—			12,947			12,947
Other	—			—			914			914
Net cash used in investing activities	—			(136,439		)	(54,257		)	(190,696		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in uncashed checks	—			635			(1,226		)	(591		)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	4,364			—			—			4,364
Remittance of shares, net	(2,668		)	—			—			(2,668		)
Repurchases of common stock	(48,329		)	—			—			(48,329		)
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	829			—			—			829
Payments on capital leases	—			(130		)	(1,552		)	(1,682		)
Repayment of long-term obligations	(5,000		)	—			—			(5,000		)
Dividends (paid) / received	—			(7,412		)	7,412			—
Interest received / (payments)	—			29,833			(29,833		)	—
Net cash from financing activities	(50,804		)	22,926			(25,199		)	(53,077		)
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(4,318		)	(4,318		)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(70,918		)	18,866			(52,052		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,006			235,445			73,622			310,073
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,006		$	164,527		$	92,488		$	258,021
Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor
							Subsidiaries
Net cash from operating activities	$	(38,228	)	$	176,844		$	141,498		$	280,114
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(101,813		)	(105,828		)	(207,641		)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	—			819			2,881			3,700
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(59,458		)	—			(59,458		)
Costs to obtain or renew permits	—			(221		)	(4,136		)	(4,357		)
Other	—			—			(11		)	(11		)
Net cash used in investing activities	—			(160,673		)	(107,094		)	(267,767		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in uncashed checks	—			9,427			327			9,754
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	399			—			—			399
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	5,327			—			—			5,327
Remittance of shares, net	(599		)	—			—			(599		)
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	1,589			—			—			1,589
Deferred financing costs paid	(2,446		)	—			—			(2,446		)
Payments of capital leases	—			(178		)	(3,918		)	(4,096		)
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	(250		)	—			—			(250		)
Dividends (paid) / received	—			(10,284		)	10,284			—
Interest received / (payments)	—			32,107			(32,107		)	—
Net cash from financing activities	4,020			31,072			(25,414		)	9,678
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(3,226		)	(3,226		)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(34,208		)	47,243			5,764			18,799
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	35,214			140,683			53,939			229,836
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,006		$	187,926		$	59,703		$	248,635

SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNTING_POLICIE1

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 May 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016.
	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 currently evaluating the impact that the above standards to be implemented will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS_Tables

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Tables) (Evergreen Oil, Inc)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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						30-Sep-14
	Inventories and supplies	$	1,089		$	—		$	1,089
	Prepaid and other current assets	1,291			(273		)	1,018
	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			(239		)	3,368
	Current liabilities	(6,198		)	(552		)	(6,750		)
	Closure and post-closure liabilities	(659		)	—			(659		)
	Remedial liabilities, less current portion	(2,103		)	463			(1,640		)
	Deferred taxes, unrecognized tax benefits and other long-term liabilities	(1,139		)	(920		)	(2,059		)
	Total identifiable net assets	55,919			(3,889		)	52,030
	Goodwill	—			4,288			4,288
	Total	$	55,919		$	399		$	56,318

INVENTORIES_AND_SUPPLIES_Table

INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory	'
	Inventories and supplies consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Oil and oil products	$	67,005	$	59,639
	Supplies and drums	68,765		64,471
	Solvent and solutions	9,282		10,100
	Other	25,882		17,886
	Total inventories and supplies	$	170,934	$	152,096

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_T

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Land	$	99,006	$	99,794
	Asset retirement costs (non-landfill)	10,899		10,938
	Landfill assets	109,114		100,983
	Buildings and improvements	330,405		327,956
	Camp equipment	178,221		187,831
	Vehicles	466,726		425,296
	Equipment	1,282,855		1,201,296
	Furniture and fixtures	5,574		5,260
	Construction in progress	62,548		58,010
		2,545,348		2,417,364
	Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	965,647		815,194
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,579,701	$	1,602,170

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of changes to goodwill	'
	The changes to goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		2014
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	570,960
	Acquired from acquisitions	5,018
	Increase from adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	4,288
	Goodwill impairment charge	(123,414		)
	Foreign currency translation	(7,275		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	449,577
Summary of amortizable other intangible assets (indefinite-lived)	'
	Below is a summary of amortizable other intangible assets (in thousands):
		September 30, 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	$	157,408		$	54,110	$	103,298	20.1	$	157,327	$	50,858	$	106,469	19.6
	Customer and supplier relationships	373,478			72,201		301,277		11.2	377,899		52,814		325,085		12.1
	Other intangible assets	31,714			18,417		13,297		3	29,299		15,518		13,781		3.3
	Total amortizable permits and other intangible assets	562,600			144,728		417,872		11.4	564,525		119,190		445,335		12.2
	Trademarks and trade names	124,002			—		124,002		Indefinite	124,638		—		124,638		Indefinite
	Total permits and other intangible assets	$	686,602		$	144,728	$	541,874		$	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 September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31,	Expected Amortization
	2014 (three months)	$	8,979
	2015	35,687
	2016	34,901
	2017	32,923
	2018	30,097
	Thereafter	275,285
		$	417,872

ACCRUED_EXPENSES_Tables

ACCRUED EXPENSES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued expenses	'
	Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Insurance	$	65,558	$	57,993
	Interest	17,809		20,731
	Accrued compensation and benefits	59,604		60,902
	Income, real estate, sales and other taxes	67,000		38,938
	Other	50,152		58,265
	Total accrued expenses	$	260,123	$	236,829

CLOSURE_AND_POSTCLOSURE_LIABIL1

CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 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	2,676			—			2,676
	Accretion	1,912			1,399			3,311
	Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(722		)	142			(580		)
	Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	(103		)	—			(103		)
	Expenditures	(1,568		)	(476		)	(2,044		)
	Currency translation and other	(137		)	(82		)	(219		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	29,662		$	20,464		$	50,126

REMEDIAL_LIABILITIES_Tables

REMEDIAL LIABILITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]	'
Changes to remedial liabilities	'
	The changes to remedial liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 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	—			—			(536		)	(536		)
	Accretion	200			2,280			2,184			4,664
	Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	(126		)	(2,385		)	100			(2,411		)
	Expenditures	(82		)	(4,338		)	(5,666		)	(10,086		)
	Currency translation and other	(146		)	(63		)	(1,045		)	(1,254		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	5,470		$	69,756		$	87,649		$	162,875

FINANCING_ARRANGEMENTS_Tables

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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):
		September 30, 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	595,000		600,000
	Long-term obligations	$	1,395,000	$	1,400,000

LOSS_EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
	Numerator for basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:
	Net (loss) income	$	(93,337	)	$	35,361	$	(55,705	)	$	68,765
	Denominator:
	Basic shares outstanding	60,369			60,610		60,585			60,542
	Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards	—			150		—			150
	Dilutive shares outstanding	60,369			60,760		60,585			60,692
	Basic (loss) earnings per share:	$	(1.55	)	$	0.58	$	(0.92	)	$	1.14
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share:	$	(1.55	)	$	0.58	$	(0.92	)	$	1.13

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component and related tax effects for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Foreign Currency Translation			Unrealized Gains 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) income before reclassifications	(52,582		)	1,060			—			(51,522		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(3,388		)	—			(3,388		)
	Tax effects	—			349			—			349
	Other comprehensive loss	$	(52,582	)	$	(1,979	)	$	—		$	(54,561	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(72,746	)	$	(75	)	$	(1,296	)	$	(74,117	)
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 nine months ended September 30, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
			For the Three Months Ended			For the Nine Months Ended
	Comprehensive Loss Components		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2014			Location
	Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments		$	27		$	3,388		Other income (expense)

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Tables

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of total number, weighted-average grant-date fair value, and types of awards granted	'
	The following table summarizes the total number and type of awards granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as well as the related weighted-average grant-date fair values:
		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2014
		Shares	Weighted Average		Shares	Weighted Average
			Grant-Date			Grant-Date
			Fair Value			Fair Value
	Restricted stock awards	5,000	$	59.01	112,630	$	61.43
	Performance stock awards	—	$	—	130,107	$	62.2
	Total awards	5,000			242,737

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Tables

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014												For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Third party revenues			Intersegment revenues, net			Corporate Items, net			Direct revenues			Third party revenues			Intersegment revenues, net			Corporate Items, net			Direct revenues
	Technical Services	$	272,478		$	39,296		$	1,628		$	313,402		$	766,057		$	116,812		$	2,805		$	885,674
	Industrial and Field Services	163,582			(9,234		)	29			154,377			510,696			(32,039		)	220			478,877
	Oil Re-refining and Recycling	140,345			(52,606		)	—			87,739			413,282			(155,583		)	(5		)	257,694
	SK Environmental Services	170,980			21,212			—			192,192			503,692			64,476			(58		)	568,110
	Lodging Services	36,582			697			26			37,305			136,148			1,991			52			138,191
	Oil and Gas Field Services	67,370			635			4			68,009			226,319			4,343			(6		)	230,656
	Corporate Items	128			—			(1,687		)	(1,559		)	418			—			(3,008		)	(2,590		)
	Total	$	851,465		$	—		$	—		$	851,465		$	2,556,612		$	—		$	—		$	2,556,612
		For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013												For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Third party revenues			Intersegment revenues, net			Corporate Items, net			Direct revenues			Third party revenues			Intersegment revenues, net			Corporate Items, net			Direct revenues
	Technical Services	$	269,465		$	35,406		$	964		$	305,835		$	759,666		$	85,614		$	3,155		$	848,435
	Industrial and Field Services	174,829			(8,109		)	(72		)	166,648			543,675			(34,549		)	(178		)	508,948
	Oil Re-refining and Recycling	131,934			(45,566		)	—			86,368			395,026			(143,853		)	—			251,173
	SK Environmental Services	170,166			17,164			—			187,330			496,491			84,241			84			580,816
	Lodging Services	55,571			812			145			56,528			155,586			2,621			362			158,569
	Oil and Gas Field Services	104,981			293			(114		)	105,160			288,588			5,926			(314		)	294,200
	Corporate Items	589			—			(923		)	(334		)	(8,806		)	—			(3,109		)	(11,915		)
	Total	$	907,535		$	—		$	—		$	907,535		$	2,630,226		$	—		$	—		$	2,630,226
Reconciliation to consolidated statements of income to adjusted EBITDA	'
	The following table presents Adjusted EBITDA 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, other non-cash charges not deemed representative of fundamental segment results, and other (income) expense to its segments.
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Technical Services	$	86,928		$	78,849		$	233,402		$	208,284
	Industrial and Field Services	20,303			26,709			67,391			75,281
	Oil Re-refining and Recycling	21,473			18,652			49,252			46,750
	SK Environmental Services	30,853			23,192			84,985			84,274
	Lodging Services	15,972			21,710			49,196			63,270
	Oil and Gas Field Services	9,545			20,530			27,688			52,458
	Corporate Items	(31,717		)	(43,690		)	(120,772		)	(149,547		)
	Total	$	153,357		$	145,952		$	391,142		$	380,770
	Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income:
	Pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting inventory adjustment	—			—			—			13,559
	Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,642			2,914			7,975			8,628
	Depreciation and amortization	70,049			69,430			205,480			196,904
	Goodwill impairment charge	123,414			—			123,414			—
	(Loss) income from operations	(42,748		)	73,608			54,273			161,679
	Other (income) expense	(613		)	150			(4,136		)	(2,030		)
	Interest expense, net of interest income	19,494			19,326			58,430			58,784
	(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	$	(61,629	)	$	54,132		$	(21	)	$	104,925
PP&E, intangible assets and total assets by segment	'
	The following table presents certain assets by reportable segment and in the aggregate (in thousands):
		30-Sep-14
		Technical			Industrial and Field			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Lodging Services			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services			Services												Services			Items
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	412,008		$	252,159		$	204,468		$	242,193		$	143,493		$	223,822		$	101,558		$	1,579,701
	Goodwill	50,336			108,514			51,152			170,986			33,717			34,872			—			449,577
	Permits and other intangible, net	76,594			18,868			153,801			256,171			11,738			24,702			—			541,874
	Total assets	$	758,294		$	409,807		$	545,213		$	740,109		$	223,565		$	377,607		$	706,622		$	3,761,217
		31-Dec-13
		Technical			Industrial and Field			Oil Re-refining and Recycling			SK Environmental Services			Lodging Services			Oil and Gas Field			Corporate			Totals
		Services			Services												Services			Items
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	400,544		$	251,826		$	211,458		$	239,650		$	166,252		$	224,585		$	107,855		$	1,602,170
	Goodwill	45,599			109,873			171,161			172,309			35,512			36,506			—			570,960
	Permits and other intangible, net	80,302			21,147			160,807			265,106			14,730			27,881			—			569,973
	Total assets	$	699,675		$	410,233		$	642,901		$	774,756		$	239,056		$	381,057		$	806,000		$	3,953,678
Total assets by geographical area	'
	The following table presents total assets by geographical area (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	United States	$	2,580,598		$	2,684,686
	Canada	1,177,819			1,266,505
	Other foreign	2,800			2,487
	Total	$	3,761,217		$	3,953,678

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB1

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheet	'
	Following is the condensed consolidating balance sheet at September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,006		$	164,527		$	92,488		$	—		$	258,021
	Intercompany receivables	233,872			2,410			189,823			(426,105		)	—
	Accounts receivable, net	—			411,440			164,135			—			575,575
	Other current assets	24,058			211,238			85,045			—			320,341
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			968,839			610,862			—			1,579,701
	Investments in subsidiaries	2,607,342			815,030			—			(3,422,372		)	—
	Intercompany debt receivable	—			362,470			3,701			(366,171		)	—
	Goodwill	—			319,539			130,038			—			449,577
	Permits and other intangibles, net	—			441,680			100,194			—			541,874
	Other long-term assets	24,576			3,687			7,865			—			36,128
	Total assets	$	2,890,854		$	3,700,860		$	1,384,151		$	(4,214,648	)	$	3,761,217
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Current liabilities	$	79,117		$	410,015		$	119,738		$	—		$	608,870
	Intercompany payables	—			423,646			2,459			(426,105		)	—
	Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	—			150,339			29,920			—			180,259
	Long-term obligations	1,395,000			—			—			—			1,395,000
	Capital lease obligations, net	—			104			629			—			733
	Intercompany debt payable	3,701			—			362,470			(366,171		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	92,485			109,414			53,905			—			255,804
	Total liabilities	1,570,303			1,093,518			569,121			(792,276		)	2,440,666
	Stockholders’ equity	1,320,551			2,607,342			815,030			(3,422,372		)	1,320,551
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,890,854		$	3,700,860		$	1,384,151		$	(4,214,648	)	$	3,761,217
	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 September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Service revenues	$	—		$	420,809		$	243,123		$	(6,711	)	$	657,221
	Product revenues	—			170,762			25,465			(1,983		)	194,244
	Total revenues	—			591,571			268,588			(8,694		)	851,465
	Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
	Service cost of revenues	—			265,980			180,992			(6,711		)	440,261
	Product cost of revenues	—			152,546			7,583			(1,983		)	158,146
	Total cost of revenues	—			418,526			188,575			(8,694		)	598,407
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	26			71,060			28,615			—			99,701
	Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			2,258			384			—			2,642
	Depreciation and amortization	—			44,213			25,836			—			70,049
	Goodwill impairment charge	—			105,466			17,948			—			123,414
	(Loss) income from operations	(26		)	(49,952		)	7,230			—			(42,748		)
	Other income (loss)	—			1,930			(1,317		)	—			613
	Interest (expense) income	(19,622		)	77			51			—			(19,494		)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(105,802		)	(1,038		)	—			106,840			—
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			7,470			(7,470		)	—			—
	(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	(125,450		)	(41,513		)	(1,506		)	106,840			(61,629		)
	(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(32,113		)	59,711			4,110			—			31,708
	Net (loss) income	(93,337		)	(101,224		)	(5,616		)	106,840			(93,337		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income	(49,092		)	(49,092		)	32,335			16,757			(49,092		)
	Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(142,429	)	$	(150,316	)	$	26,719		$	123,597		$	(142,429	)
	Following is the consolidating statement of income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Service revenues	$	—		$	445,165		$	256,812		$	56		$	702,033
	Product revenues	—			169,743			35,815			(56		)	205,502
	Total revenues	—			614,908			292,627			—			907,535
	Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
	Service cost of revenues	—			300,859			177,519			56			478,434
	Product cost of revenues	—			139,683			29,058			(56		)	168,685
	Total cost of revenues	—			440,542			206,577			—			647,119
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	29			81,496			32,939			—			114,464
	Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			2,478			436			—			2,914
	Depreciation and amortization	—			45,533			23,897			—			69,430
	(Loss) income from operations	(29		)	44,859			28,778			—			73,608
	Other income (expense)	—			(111		)	(39		)	—			(150		)
	Interest (expense) income	(19,844		)	137			381			—			(19,326		)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	58,919			21,064			—			(79,983		)	—
	Intercompany dividend income	—			—			3,063			(3,063		)	—
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			10,107			(10,107		)	—			—
	Income before provision for income taxes	39,046			76,056			22,076			(83,046		)	54,132
	Provision for income taxes	3,685			8,218			6,868			—			18,771
	Net income	35,361			67,838			15,208			(83,046		)	35,361
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	21,805			21,805			(10,072		)	(11,733		)	21,805
	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	57,166		$	89,643		$	5,136		$	(94,779	)	$	57,166
	Following is the consolidating statement of (loss) income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
								Subsidiaries
	Revenues
	Service revenues	$	—		$	1,322,825		$	654,168		$	(14,922	)	$	1,962,071
	Product revenues	—			475,429			123,634			(4,522		)	594,541
	Total revenues	—			1,798,254			777,802			(19,444		)	2,556,612
	Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
	Service cost of revenues	—			871,509			476,856			(14,922		)	1,333,443
	Product cost of revenues	—			403,007			99,148			(4,522		)	497,633
Total cost of revenues	—			1,274,516			576,004			(19,444		)	1,831,076
Selling, general and administrative expenses	82			241,126			93,186			—			334,394
Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			6,825			1,150			—			7,975
Depreciation and amortization	—			128,234			77,246			—			205,480
Goodwill impairment charge	—			105,466			17,948			—			123,414
(Loss) income from operations	(82		)	42,087			12,268			—			54,273
Other income	—			2,716			1,420			—			4,136
Interest (expense) income	(58,968		)	523			15			—			(58,430		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	(21,257		)	10,817			—			10,440			—
Intercompany dividend income	—			—			6,238			(6,238		)	—
Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			26,351			(26,351		)	—			—
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	(80,307		)	82,494			(6,410		)	4,202			(21		)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(24,602		)	77,402			2,884						55,684
Net (loss) income	(55,705		)	5,092			(9,294		)	4,202			(55,705		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(54,561		)	(54,561		)	9,090			45,471			(54,561		)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(110,266	)	$	(49,469	)	$	(204	)	$	49,673		$	(110,266	)
Following is the consolidating statement of income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Consolidating			Total
	Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor			Adjustments
							Subsidiaries
Revenues
Service revenues	$	—		$	1,295,525		$	755,856		$	(2,854	)	$	2,048,527
Product revenues	—			463,301			119,267			(869		)	581,699
Total revenues	—			1,758,826			875,123			(3,723		)	2,630,226
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Service cost of revenues	—			873,945			531,318			(2,854		)	1,402,409
Product cost of revenues	—			395,891			100,038			(869		)	495,060
Total cost of revenues	—			1,269,836			631,356			(3,723		)	1,897,469
Selling, general and administrative expenses	84			266,941			98,521			—			365,546
Accretion of environmental liabilities	—			7,315			1,313			—			8,628
Depreciation and amortization	—			127,042			69,862			—			196,904
(Loss) income from operations	(84		)	87,692			74,071			—			161,679
Other income (expense)	—			2,858			(828		)	—			2,030
Interest (expense) income	(59,408		)	137			487			—			(58,784		)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	134,246			57,040			—			(191,286		)	—
Intercompany dividend income	—			—			10,031			(10,031		)	—
Intercompany interest income (expense)	—			30,414			(30,414		)	—			—
Income before provision for income taxes	74,754			178,141			53,347			(201,317		)	104,925
Provision for income taxes	5,989			14,753			15,418			—			36,160
Net income	68,765			163,388			37,929			(201,317		)	68,765
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(37,562		)	(37,562		)	20,385			17,177			(37,562		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	31,203		$	125,826		$	58,314		$	(184,140	)	$	31,203
Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'
	Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Net cash from operating activities	$	50,804		$	42,595		$	102,640		$	196,039
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(133,335		)	(65,542		)	(198,877		)
	Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	—			3,635			2,278			5,913
	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(6,150		)	—			(6,150		)
	Costs to obtain or renew permits	—			(589		)	(4,854		)	(5,443		)
	Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	—			—			12,947			12,947
	Other	—			—			914			914
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			(136,439		)	(54,257		)	(190,696		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Change in uncashed checks	—			635			(1,226		)	(591		)
	Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	4,364			—			—			4,364
	Remittance of shares, net	(2,668		)	—			—			(2,668		)
	Repurchases of common stock	(48,329		)	—			—			(48,329		)
	Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	829			—			—			829
	Payments on capital leases	—			(130		)	(1,552		)	(1,682		)
	Repayment of long-term obligations	(5,000		)	—			—			(5,000		)
	Dividends (paid) / received	—			(7,412		)	7,412			—
	Interest received / (payments)	—			29,833			(29,833		)	—
	Net cash from financing activities	(50,804		)	22,926			(25,199		)	(53,077		)
	Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(4,318		)	(4,318		)
	(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(70,918		)	18,866			(52,052		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,006			235,445			73,622			310,073
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,006		$	164,527		$	92,488		$	258,021
	Following is the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Clean			U.S. Guarantor			Foreign			Total
		Harbors, Inc.			Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor
								Subsidiaries
	Net cash from operating activities	$	(38,228	)	$	176,844		$	141,498		$	280,114
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(101,813		)	(105,828		)	(207,641		)
	Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	—			819			2,881			3,700
	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(59,458		)	—			(59,458		)
	Costs to obtain or renew permits	—			(221		)	(4,136		)	(4,357		)
	Other	—			—			(11		)	(11		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			(160,673		)	(107,094		)	(267,767		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Change in uncashed checks	—			9,427			327			9,754
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	399			—			—			399
	Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	5,327			—			—			5,327
	Remittance of shares, net	(599		)	—			—			(599		)
	Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	1,589			—			—			1,589
	Deferred financing costs paid	(2,446		)	—			—			(2,446		)
	Payments of capital leases	—			(178		)	(3,918		)	(4,096		)
	Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	(250		)	—			—			(250		)
	Dividends (paid) / received	—			(10,284		)	10,284			—
	Interest received / (payments)	—			32,107			(32,107		)	—
	Net cash from financing activities	4,020			31,072			(25,414		)	9,678
	Effect of exchange rate change on cash	—			—			(3,226		)	(3,226		)
	(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(34,208		)	47,243			5,764			18,799
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	35,214			140,683			53,939			229,836
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,006		$	187,926		$	59,703		$	248,635

BUSINESS_COMBINATIONS_Evergree

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Evergreen Oil, Inc) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 13, 2013	30-May-14	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
			Evergreen Oil, Inc	Evergreen Oil, Inc	Privately owned domestic company	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	'	'	$1,089,000	'	'	$1,089,000	$0
Prepaid and other current assets	'	'	1,018,000	'	'	1,291,000	-273,000
Property, plant and equipment	'	'	40,563,000	'	'	40,563,000	0
Permits and other intangibles	'	'	17,100,000	'	'	17,100,000	0
Deferred tax assets, less current portion	'	'	0	'	'	2,368,000	-2,368,000
Other assets	'	'	3,368,000	'	'	3,607,000	-239,000
Current liabilities	'	'	-6,750,000	'	'	-6,198,000	-552,000
Closure and post-closure liabilities	'	'	-659,000	'	'	-659,000	0
Remedial liabilities, less current portion	'	'	-1,640,000	'	'	-2,103,000	463,000
Deferred taxes, unrecognized tax benefits and other long-term liabilities	'	'	-2,059,000	'	'	-1,139,000	-920,000
Total identifiable net assets	'	'	52,030,000	'	'	55,919,000	-3,889,000
Goodwill	449,577,000	570,960,000	4,288,000	'	'	0	4,288,000
Total	'	'	56,318,000	'	'	55,919,000	399,000
Purchase price of acquisition	'	'	'	'	$6,200,000	'	'

MARKETABLE_SECURITIES_Details

MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
			Other income
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Marketable securities	$0	$12,435,000	'
Gain on marketable securities	'	'	$3,400,000

INVENTORIES_AND_SUPPLIES_Detai

INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Oil and oil products	$67,005	$59,639
Supplies and drums	68,765	64,471
Solvent and solutions	9,282	10,100
Other	25,882	17,886
Total inventories and supplies	$170,934	$152,096

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_D

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$2,545,348	$2,417,364
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	965,647	815,194
Total property, plant and equipment, net	1,579,701	1,602,170
Land	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	99,006	99,794
Asset retirement costs (non-landfill)	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	10,899	10,938
Landfill assets	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	109,114	100,983
Buildings and improvements	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	330,405	327,956
Camp equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	178,221	187,831
Vehicles	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	466,726	425,296
Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,282,855	1,201,296
Furniture and fixtures	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	5,574	5,260
Construction in progress	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$62,548	$58,010

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Rollforward of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	'	'	$570,960	'
Acquired from acquisitions	'	'	5,018	'
Increase from adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	'	'	4,288	'
Goodwill impairment charge	-123,414	0	-123,414	0
Foreign currency translation	'	'	-7,275	'
Balance at end of year	$449,577	'	$449,577	'

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$449,577,000	$570,960,000
Oil re-refining and recycling	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill, Gross	174,300,000	'
Goodwill	51,152,000	171,161,000
Oil and gas field services	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$34,872,000	$36,506,000

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Amortizable Other Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	$562,600,000	'	$562,600,000	'	$564,525,000
Accumulated Amortization	144,728,000	'	144,728,000	'	119,190,000
Net	417,872,000	'	417,872,000	'	445,335,000
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period (in years)	'	'	'11 years 164 days	'	'12 years 2 months 12 days
Total permits and other intangible assets, Cost	686,602,000	'	686,602,000	'	689,163,000
Total permits and other intangible assets, Net	541,874,000	'	541,874,000	'	569,973,000
Amortization of intangible assets	9,100,000	8,800,000	27,500,000	25,900,000	'
Trademarks and trade names	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Amortization	0	'	0	'	0
Indefinite-lived intangible asset, cost	124,002,000	'	124,002,000	'	124,638,000
Permits	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	157,408,000	'	157,408,000	'	157,327,000
Accumulated Amortization	54,110,000	'	54,110,000	'	50,858,000
Net	103,298,000	'	103,298,000	'	106,469,000
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period (in years)	'	'	'20 years 36 days	'	'19 years 7 months 6 days
Customer and supplier relationships	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	373,478,000	'	373,478,000	'	377,899,000
Accumulated Amortization	72,201,000	'	72,201,000	'	52,814,000
Net	301,277,000	'	301,277,000	'	325,085,000
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period (in years)	'	'	'11 years 80 days	'	'12 years 1 month 6 days
Other intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cost	31,714,000	'	31,714,000	'	29,299,000
Accumulated Amortization	18,417,000	'	18,417,000	'	15,518,000
Net	$13,297,000	'	$13,297,000	'	$13,781,000
Weighted Average Remaining Amortization Period (in years)	'	'	'2 years 347 days	'	'3 years 3 months 18 days

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Expected Future Amortization) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
2014 (three months)	$8,979	'
2015	35,687	'
2016	34,901	'
2017	32,923	'
2018	30,097	'
Thereafter	275,285	'
Net	$417,872	$445,335

ACCRUED_EXPENSES_Details

ACCRUED EXPENSES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Insurance	$65,558	$57,993
Interest	17,809	20,731
Accrued compensation and benefits	59,604	60,902
Income, real estate, sales and other taxes	67,000	38,938
Other	50,152	58,265
Total accrued expenses	$260,123	$236,829

CLOSURE_AND_POSTCLOSURE_LIABIL2

CLOSURE AND POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Changes to post-closure liabilities	'
Balance at beginning of year	$47,085
New asset retirement obligations	2,676
Accretion	3,311
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-580
Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	-103
Expenditures	2,044
Currency translation and other	-219
Balance at end of year	50,126
Credit-adjusted risk-free rate (as a percent)	6.54%
Landfill Retirement Liability	'
Changes to post-closure liabilities	'
Balance at beginning of year	27,604
New asset retirement obligations	2,676
Accretion	1,912
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-722
Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	-103
Expenditures	1,568
Currency translation and other	-137
Balance at end of year	29,662
Non-Landfill Retirement Liability	'
Changes to post-closure liabilities	'
Balance at beginning of year	19,481
New asset retirement obligations	0
Accretion	1,399
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	142
Changes in estimates recorded to balance sheet	0
Expenditures	476
Currency translation and other	-82
Balance at end of year	$20,464

REMEDIAL_LIABILITIES_Details

REMEDIAL LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of year	$172,498
Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	-536
Accretion	4,664
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-2,400
Expenditures	-10,086
Currency translation and other	-1,254
Balance at end of year	162,875
Remedial Liabilities for Landfill Sites	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of year	5,624
Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	0
Accretion	200
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-126
Expenditures	-82
Currency translation and other	-146
Balance at end of year	5,470
Remedial Liabilities for Inactive Sites	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of year	74,262
Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	0
Accretion	2,280
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	-2,385
Expenditures	-4,338
Currency translation and other	-63
Balance at end of year	69,756
Remedial Liabilities (Including Superfund) for Non-Landfill Operations	'
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of year	92,612
Adjustments during the measurement period related to Evergreen	-536
Accretion	2,184
Changes in estimates recorded to statement of income	100
Expenditures	-5,666
Currency translation and other	-1,045
Balance at end of year	$87,649

FINANCING_ARRANGEMENTS_Details

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 07, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Unsecured debt	Unsecured debt	Unsecured debt	Unsecured debt	Unsecured debt	Unsecured debt	Parent and domestic subsidiaries	Canadian subsidiaries
			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	'	$595,000,000	$600,000,000	'	'	'
Long-term obligations	1,395,000,000	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	'	'	794,900,000	804,200,000	'	586,200,000	601,600,000	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility available borrowing capacity	262,100,000	259,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of credit amount outstanding	$110,400,000	$140,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit available subject to percentage of accounts receivable	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	85.00%	85.00%
Credit available subject to percentage of cash deposited	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	100.00%

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment loss, tax benefit	$2.70	'	'	'	'
The Company's effective tax rate (as a percent)	55.60%	34.70%	47.30%	34.50%	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	1.3	'	1.3	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest	'	'	'	'	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	'	$0.10	'	'

LOSS_EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Detail

(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator for basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	($93,337)	$35,361	($55,705)	$68,765
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Basic shares outstanding	60,369	60,610	60,585	60,542
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards	0	150	0	150
Dilutive shares outstanding	60,369	60,760	60,585	60,692
Basic earnings per share (in USD per share)	($1.55)	$0.58	($0.92)	$1.14
Diluted earnings per share (in USD per share)	($1.55)	$0.58	($0.92)	$1.13

LOSS_EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Text_D

(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Text) (Details)	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	Outstanding stock awards	Restricted stock awards	Restricted stock awards	Restricted stock awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Shares excluded from computation of earning per share (in shares)	624,145	624,145	173,000	173,000,000

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Components of Other Accumulated Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	($19,556)	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	'	'	-51,522	'
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	-3,388	'
Tax effects	'	'	349	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-49,092	21,805	-54,561	-37,562
Ending balance	-74,117	'	-74,117	'
Foreign Currency Translation	'	'	'	'
Components of Other Accumulated Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	-20,164	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	'	'	-52,582	'
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	0	'
Tax effects	'	'	0	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income	'	'	-52,582	'
Ending balance	-72,746	'	-72,746	'
Unrealized Gains on Available-For-Sale Securities	'	'	'	'
Components of Other Accumulated Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	1,904	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	'	'	1,060	'
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	-27	'	-3,388	'
Tax effects	'	'	349	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income	'	'	-1,979	'
Ending balance	-75	'	-75	'
Unfunded Pension Liability	'	'	'	'
Components of Other Accumulated Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	-1,296	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	'	'	0	'
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	0	'
Tax effects	'	'	0	'
Other comprehensive (loss) income	'	'	0	'
Ending balance	($1,296)	'	($1,296)	'

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Other income (expense)	'	$3,388
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Other income (expense)	$27	$3,388

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Shares	5,000	242,737
Restricted stock awards	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Shares	5,000	112,630
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	59.01	61.43
Performance stock awards	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Shares	0	130,107
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value	0	62.2

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_STOCKB

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 25, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount	'	$150,000,000
Repurchases of common stock	53,793,000	'
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	96,200,000	'
Common stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)	923	'
Repurchases of common stock	9,000	'
Additional aid-in capital	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	$53,784,000	'

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 1999

Dec. 31, 1968

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2002

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 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

Federal and State Enforcement Actions

claims

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

Municipalities

Permits

USD ($)

USD ($)

sites

acre

sites

sites

USD ($)

USD ($)

Proceedings

facilties

Proceedings

Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recorded reserves for actual or probable liabilities

'

$42,100,000

$41,700,000

$32,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$9,600,000

'

Possible increase in legal and administrative proceedings

'

'

'

3,200,000

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

162,875,000

172,498,000

'

'

'

'

'

13,100,000

13,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

58

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

Number of product liability claims settled or dismissed

'

14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of customers filing a complaint

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

126

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

124

'

'

'

'

'

Number of sites for which environmental remediation expense is settled

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29

'

'

'

'

'

Third party sites requiring expenditure on remediation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20

'

'

'

'

'

Number of sites not currently requiring expenditures on remediation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum potential liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000

$100,000

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$851,465	$907,535	$2,556,612	$2,630,226
Third party revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	851,465	907,535	2,556,612	2,630,226
Intersegment revenues, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Corporate Items, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Direct revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	851,465	907,535	2,556,612	2,630,226
Technical Services | Third party revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	272,478	269,465	766,057	759,666
Technical Services | Intersegment revenues, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	39,296	35,406	116,812	85,614
Technical Services | Corporate Items, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	1,628	964	2,805	3,155
Technical Services | Direct revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	313,402	305,835	885,674	848,435
Industrial and Field Services | Third party revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	163,582	174,829	510,696	543,675
Industrial and Field Services | Intersegment revenues, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-9,234	-8,109	-32,039	-34,549
Industrial and Field Services | Corporate Items, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	29	-72	220	-178
Industrial and Field Services | Direct revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	154,377	166,648	478,877	508,948
Oil Re-refining and Recycling | Third party revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	140,345	131,934	413,282	395,026
Oil Re-refining and Recycling | Intersegment revenues, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-52,606	-45,566	-155,583	-143,853
Oil Re-refining and Recycling | Corporate Items, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	-5	0
Oil Re-refining and Recycling | Direct revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	87,739	86,368	257,694	251,173
SK Environmental Services | Third party revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	170,980	170,166	503,692	496,491
SK Environmental Services | Intersegment revenues, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	21,212	17,164	64,476	84,241
SK Environmental Services | Corporate Items, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	-58	84
SK Environmental Services | Direct revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	192,192	187,330	568,110	580,816
Lodging Services | Third party revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	36,582	55,571	136,148	155,586
Lodging Services | Intersegment revenues, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	697	812	1,991	2,621
Lodging Services | Corporate Items, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	26	145	52	362
Lodging Services | Direct revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	37,305	56,528	138,191	158,569
Oil and Gas Field Services | Third party revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	67,370	104,981	226,319	288,588
Oil and Gas Field Services | Intersegment revenues, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	635	293	4,343	5,926
Oil and Gas Field Services | Corporate Items, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	4	-114	-6	-314
Oil and Gas Field Services | Direct revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	68,009	105,160	230,656	294,200
Corporate Items | Third party revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	128	589	418	-8,806
Corporate Items | Intersegment revenues, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Corporate Items | Corporate Items, net	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-1,687	-923	-3,008	-3,109
Corporate Items | Direct revenues	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	($1,559)	($334)	($2,590)	($11,915)

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details_2

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			segment
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	6	'
Number of operations for which the revenues are insignificant	'	'	2	'
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	$153,357	$145,952	$391,142	$380,770
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income:	'	'	'	'
Pre-tax, non-cash acquisition accounting inventory adjustment	0	0	0	13,559
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,642	2,914	7,975	8,628
Depreciation and amortization	70,049	69,430	205,480	196,904
Goodwill impairment charge	123,414	0	123,414	0
(Loss) income from operations	-42,748	73,608	54,273	161,679
Other (income) expense	-613	150	-4,136	-2,030
Interest expense, net of interest income	19,494	19,326	58,430	58,784
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	-61,629	54,132	-21	104,925
Technical Services	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	86,928	78,849	233,402	208,284
Industrial and Field Services	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	20,303	26,709	67,391	75,281
Oil Re-refining and Recycling	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	21,473	18,652	49,252	46,750
SK Environmental Services	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	30,853	23,192	84,985	84,274
Lodging Services	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	15,972	21,710	49,196	63,270
Oil and Gas Field Services	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	9,545	20,530	27,688	52,458
Corporate Items	'	'	'	'
Segment reporting information	'	'	'	'
Adjusted EBITDA, Total	($31,717)	($43,690)	($120,772)	($149,547)

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details_3

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	$1,579,701	$1,602,170
Goodwill	449,577	570,960
Permits and other intangible, net	541,874	569,973
Total assets	3,761,217	3,953,678
Technical Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	412,008	400,544
Goodwill	50,336	45,599
Permits and other intangible, net	76,594	80,302
Total assets	758,294	699,675
Industrial and Field Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	252,159	251,826
Goodwill	108,514	109,873
Permits and other intangible, net	18,868	21,147
Total assets	409,807	410,233
Oil Re-refining and Recycling	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	204,468	211,458
Goodwill	51,152	171,161
Permits and other intangible, net	153,801	160,807
Total assets	545,213	642,901
SK Environmental Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	242,193	239,650
Goodwill	170,986	172,309
Permits and other intangible, net	256,171	265,106
Total assets	740,109	774,756
Lodging Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	143,493	166,252
Goodwill	33,717	35,512
Permits and other intangible, net	11,738	14,730
Total assets	223,565	239,056
Oil and Gas Field Services	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	223,822	224,585
Goodwill	34,872	36,506
Permits and other intangible, net	24,702	27,881
Total assets	377,607	381,057
Corporate Items	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	101,558	107,855
Goodwill	0	0
Permits and other intangible, net	0	0
Total assets	$706,622	$806,000

SEGMENT_REPORTING_Details_4

SEGMENT REPORTING (Details 4) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$3,761,217	$3,953,678
United States	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	2,580,598	2,684,686
Canada	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	1,177,819	1,266,505
Other foreign	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$2,800	$2,487

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB2

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$258,021	$310,073	$248,635	$229,836
Intercompany receivables	0	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	575,575	579,394	'	'
Other current assets	320,341	281,712	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,579,701	1,602,170	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	449,577	570,960	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	541,874	569,973	'	'
Other long-term assets	36,128	39,396	'	'
Total assets	3,761,217	3,953,678	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	608,870	639,545	'	'
Intercompany payables	0	0	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	180,259	190,112	'	'
Long-term obligations	1,395,000	1,400,000	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	733	1,435	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	255,804	246,947	'	'
Total liabilities	2,440,666	2,478,039	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	1,320,551	1,475,639	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,761,217	3,953,678	'	'
Clean Harbors, Inc.	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,006	1,006	1,006	35,214
Intercompany receivables	233,872	269,580	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	24,058	24,087	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	2,607,342	2,683,158	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	24,576	23,770	'	'
Total assets	2,890,854	3,001,601	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	79,117	33,626	'	'
Intercompany payables	0	0	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	0	0	'	'
Long-term obligations	1,395,000	1,400,000	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	0	0	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	3,701	3,701	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	92,485	88,635	'	'
Total liabilities	1,570,303	1,525,962	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	1,320,551	1,475,639	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,890,854	3,001,601	'	'
U.S. Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	164,527	235,445	187,926	140,683
Intercompany receivables	2,410	2,448	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	411,440	387,006	'	'
Other current assets	211,238	182,881	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	968,839	945,280	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	815,030	967,186	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	362,470	493,402	'	'
Goodwill	319,539	415,541	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	441,680	458,917	'	'
Other long-term assets	3,687	7,018	'	'
Total assets	3,700,860	4,095,124	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	410,015	466,454	'	'
Intercompany payables	423,646	499,749	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	150,339	158,298	'	'
Long-term obligations	0	0	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	104	191	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	109,414	103,125	'	'
Total liabilities	1,093,518	1,227,817	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	2,607,342	2,867,307	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,700,860	4,095,124	'	'
Foreign Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	92,488	73,622	59,703	53,939
Intercompany receivables	189,823	230,224	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	164,135	192,388	'	'
Other current assets	85,045	74,744	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	610,862	656,890	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	0	144,953	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	3,701	3,701	'	'
Goodwill	130,038	155,419	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	100,194	111,056	'	'
Other long-term assets	7,865	8,608	'	'
Total assets	1,384,151	1,651,605	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	119,738	139,465	'	'
Intercompany payables	2,459	2,503	'	'
Closure, post-closure and remedial liabilities, net	29,920	31,814	'	'
Long-term obligations	0	0	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net	629	1,244	'	'
Intercompany debt payable	362,470	493,402	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	53,905	55,187	'	'
Total liabilities	569,121	723,615	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	815,030	927,990	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,384,151	1,651,605	'	'
Consolidating Adjustments	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	'	'
Intercompany receivables	-426,105	-502,252	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	0	0	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	-3,422,372	-3,795,297	'	'
Intercompany debt receivable	-366,171	-497,103	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Permits and other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	0	0	'	'
Total assets	-4,214,648	-4,794,652	'	'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Intercompany payables	-426,105	-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	-366,171	-497,103	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities	-792,276	-999,355	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	-3,422,372	-3,795,297	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	($4,214,648)	($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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	$657,221	$702,033	$1,962,071	$2,048,527
Product revenues	194,244	205,502	594,541	581,699
Total revenues	851,465	907,535	2,556,612	2,630,226
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)	'	'	'	'
Service cost of revenues	440,261	478,434	1,333,443	1,402,409
Product cost of revenues	158,146	168,685	497,633	495,060
Total cost of revenues	598,407	647,119	1,831,076	1,897,469
Selling, general and administrative expenses	99,701	114,464	334,394	365,546
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,642	2,914	7,975	8,628
Depreciation and amortization	70,049	69,430	205,480	196,904
Goodwill impairment charge	123,414	0	123,414	0
(Loss) income from operations	-42,748	73,608	54,273	161,679
Other income (expense)	613	-150	4,136	2,030
Interest (expense) income	-19,494	-19,326	-58,430	-58,784
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	0	0
Intercompany dividend income	'	0	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0	0	0
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	-61,629	54,132	-21	104,925
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	31,708	18,771	55,684	36,160
Net (loss) income	-93,337	35,361	-55,705	68,765
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-49,092	21,805	-54,561	-37,562
Comprehensive (loss) income	-142,429	57,166	-110,266	31,203
Clean Harbors, Inc.	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	0	0	0	0
Product revenues	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	0	0	0	0
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)	'	'	'	'
Service cost of revenues	0	0	0	0
Product cost of revenues	0	0	0	0
Total cost of revenues	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	26	29	82	84
Accretion of environmental liabilities	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Goodwill impairment charge	0	'	0	'
(Loss) income from operations	-26	-29	-82	-84
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	0
Interest (expense) income	-19,622	-19,844	-58,968	-59,408
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	-105,802	58,919	-21,257	134,246
Intercompany dividend income	'	0	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0	0	0
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	-125,450	39,046	-80,307	74,754
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	-32,113	3,685	-24,602	5,989
Net (loss) income	-93,337	35,361	-55,705	68,765
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-49,092	21,805	-54,561	-37,562
Comprehensive (loss) income	-142,429	57,166	-110,266	31,203
U.S. Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	420,809	445,165	1,322,825	1,295,525
Product revenues	170,762	169,743	475,429	463,301
Total revenues	591,571	614,908	1,798,254	1,758,826
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)	'	'	'	'
Service cost of revenues	265,980	300,859	871,509	873,945
Product cost of revenues	152,546	139,683	403,007	395,891
Total cost of revenues	418,526	440,542	1,274,516	1,269,836
Selling, general and administrative expenses	71,060	81,496	241,126	266,941
Accretion of environmental liabilities	2,258	2,478	6,825	7,315
Depreciation and amortization	44,213	45,533	128,234	127,042
Goodwill impairment charge	105,466	'	105,466	'
(Loss) income from operations	-49,952	44,859	42,087	87,692
Other income (expense)	1,930	-111	2,716	2,858
Interest (expense) income	77	137	523	137
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	-1,038	21,064	10,817	57,040
Intercompany dividend income	'	0	0	0
Intercompany interest income (expense)	7,470	10,107	26,351	30,414
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	-41,513	76,056	82,494	178,141
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	59,711	8,218	77,402	14,753
Net (loss) income	-101,224	67,838	5,092	163,388
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-49,092	21,805	-54,561	-37,562
Comprehensive (loss) income	-150,316	89,643	-49,469	125,826
Foreign Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	243,123	256,812	654,168	755,856
Product revenues	25,465	35,815	123,634	119,267
Total revenues	268,588	292,627	777,802	875,123
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)	'	'	'	'
Service cost of revenues	180,992	177,519	476,856	531,318
Product cost of revenues	7,583	29,058	99,148	100,038
Total cost of revenues	188,575	206,577	576,004	631,356
Selling, general and administrative expenses	28,615	32,939	93,186	98,521
Accretion of environmental liabilities	384	436	1,150	1,313
Depreciation and amortization	25,836	23,897	77,246	69,862
Goodwill impairment charge	17,948	'	17,948	'
(Loss) income from operations	7,230	28,778	12,268	74,071
Other income (expense)	-1,317	-39	1,420	-828
Interest (expense) income	51	381	15	487
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	0	0	0	0
Intercompany dividend income	'	3,063	6,238	10,031
Intercompany interest income (expense)	-7,470	-10,107	-26,351	-30,414
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	-1,506	22,076	-6,410	53,347
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	4,110	6,868	2,884	15,418
Net (loss) income	-5,616	15,208	-9,294	37,929
Other comprehensive (loss) income	32,335	-10,072	9,090	20,385
Comprehensive (loss) income	26,719	5,136	-204	58,314
Consolidating Adjustments	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	-6,711	56	-14,922	-2,854
Product revenues	-1,983	-56	-4,522	-869
Total revenues	-8,694	0	-19,444	-3,723
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below)	'	'	'	'
Service cost of revenues	-6,711	56	-14,922	-2,854
Product cost of revenues	-1,983	-56	-4,522	-869
Total cost of revenues	-8,694	0	-19,444	-3,723
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Accretion of environmental liabilities	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Goodwill impairment charge	0	'	0	'
(Loss) income from operations	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	0
Interest (expense) income	0	0	0	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of taxes	106,840	-79,983	10,440	-191,286
Intercompany dividend income	'	-3,063	-6,238	-10,031
Intercompany interest income (expense)	0	0	0	0
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes	106,840	-83,046	4,202	-201,317
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	0	0	'	0
Net (loss) income	106,840	-83,046	4,202	-201,317
Other comprehensive (loss) income	16,757	-11,733	45,471	17,177
Comprehensive (loss) income	$123,597	($94,779)	$49,673	($184,140)

GUARANTOR_AND_NONGUARANTOR_SUB4

GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'	'
Net cash from operating activities	$196,039	$280,114
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-198,877	-207,641
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	5,913	3,700
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-6,150	-59,458
Costs to obtain or renew permits	-5,443	-4,357
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	12,947	0
Other	914	-11
Net cash used in investing activities	-190,696	-267,767
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	-591	9,754
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	399
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	4,364	5,327
Remittance of shares, net	-2,668	-599
Repurchases of common stock	-48,329	0
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	829	1,589
Deferred financing costs paid	0	-2,446
Payments on capital leases	-1,682	-4,096
Repayment of long-term obligations	-5,000	0
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	0	-250
Dividends (paid) / received	0	0
Interest received / (payments)	0	0
Net cash from financing activities	-53,077	9,678
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-4,318	-3,226
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-52,052	18,799
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	310,073	229,836
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	258,021	248,635
Clean Harbors, Inc.	'	'
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'	'
Net cash from operating activities	50,804	-38,228
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	0	0
Costs to obtain or renew permits	0	0
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	0	'
Other	'	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	'	399
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	4,364	5,327
Remittance of shares, net	-2,668	-599
Repurchases of common stock	-48,329	'
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	829	1,589
Deferred financing costs paid	'	-2,446
Payments on capital leases	0	0
Repayment of long-term obligations	-5,000	'
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	'	-250
Dividends (paid) / received	0	0
Interest received / (payments)	0	0
Net cash from financing activities	-50,804	4,020
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	0	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	-34,208
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,006	35,214
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,006	1,006
U.S. Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'	'
Net cash from operating activities	42,595	176,844
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-133,335	-101,813
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	3,635	819
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-6,150	-59,458
Costs to obtain or renew permits	-589	-221
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	0	'
Other	'	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-136,439	-160,673
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	635	9,427
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	-130	-178
Repayment of long-term obligations	0	'
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	'	0
Dividends (paid) / received	-7,412	-10,284
Interest received / (payments)	29,833	32,107
Net cash from financing activities	22,926	31,072
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	0	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-70,918	47,243
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	235,445	140,683
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	164,527	187,926
Foreign Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	'	'
Net cash from operating activities	102,640	141,498
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-65,542	-105,828
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	2,278	2,881
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Costs to obtain or renew permits	-4,854	-4,136
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	12,947	'
Other	'	-11
Net cash used in investing activities	-54,257	-107,094
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Change in uncashed checks	-1,226	327
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	-1,552	-3,918
Repayment of long-term obligations	0	'
Issuance costs related to 2012 issuance of common stock	'	0
Dividends (paid) / received	7,412	10,284
Interest received / (payments)	-29,833	-32,107
Net cash from financing activities	-25,199	-25,414
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	-4,318	-3,226
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	18,866	5,764
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	73,622	53,939
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$92,488	$59,703