Stericycle (SRCL) 10-K 28 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 14, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'STERICYCLE INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000861878	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'SRCL	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	85,158,773	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$9,488,205,563

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$61,991	$31,324
Short-term investments	413	503
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $19,134 in 2013 and $19,443 in 2012	388,996	322,246
Deferred income taxes	18,031	22,995
Prepaid expenses	28,379	27,042
Other current assets	37,279	37,176
Total Current Assets	535,089	441,286
Property, plant and equipment, net	358,967	335,870
Goodwill	2,231,582	2,065,103
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $88,098 in 2013 and $64,215 in 2012	720,035	667,471
Other assets	37,124	37,008
Total Assets	3,882,797	3,546,738
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	150,380	87,781
Accounts payable	89,146	80,886
Accrued liabilities	107,445	115,992
Deferred revenues	18,826	18,095
Other current liabilities	45,211	28,306
Total Current Liabilities	411,008	331,060
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,280,663	1,268,303
Deferred income taxes	396,119	359,780
Other liabilities	27,469	30,272
Equity:	'	'
Common stock (par value $.01 per share, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 85,500,037 issued and outstanding in 2013 and 85,987,883 issued and outstanding in 2012)	855	860
Additional paid-in capital	195,110	116,720
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-56,468	-39,064
Retained earnings	1,610,964	1,463,277
Total Stericycle, Inc.’s Equity	1,750,461	1,541,793
Noncontrolling interest	17,077	15,530
Total Equity	1,767,538	1,557,323
Total Liabilities and Equity	$3,882,797	$3,546,738

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$19,134	$19,443
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$88,098	$64,215
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, issued	85,500,037	85,987,883
Common stock, outstanding	85,500,037	85,987,883

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'		'		'
Revenues	$2,142,807		$1,913,149		$1,676,048
Costs and Expenses:	'		'		'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation shown below)	1,128,170		1,011,213		874,169
Depreciation - cost of revenues	50,003		44,631		41,135
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)	390,610		356,817		311,522
Depreciation – selling, general and administrative expenses	11,338		9,598		8,642
Amortization	27,067		22,054		16,269
Total Costs and Expenses	1,607,188		1,444,313		1,251,737
Income from Operations	535,619		468,836		424,311
Other Income (Expense):	'		'		'
Interest income	294		404		799
Interest expense	-55,243		-51,674		-49,431
Other expense, net	-2,924		-369		-3,355
Total Other Expense	-57,873		-51,639		-51,987
Income Before Income Taxes	477,746		417,197		372,324
Income Tax Expense	164,662		147,256		134,981
Net Income	313,084		269,941		237,343
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	'		1,945		2,592
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$311,372		$267,996		$234,751
Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Stericycle, Inc. Common Shareholders:	'		'		'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$3.62	[1]	$3.14	[1]	$2.75
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$3.56	[1]	$3.08	[1]	$2.69
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:	'		'		'
Basic (in shares)	85,902,550		85,401,365		85,467,421
Diluted (in shares)	87,391,988		87,018,473		87,367,712
[1]	EPS calculated on a quarterly basis, and, as such, the amounts may not total the calculated full-year EPS.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$313,084	$269,941	$237,343
Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-19,160	6,801	-32,893
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, net of tax ($200, $216, and $218) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	314	339	341
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax ($0, $193, and $0) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	0	289	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-18,846	7,429	-32,552
Comprehensive Income	294,238	277,370	204,791
Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	270	2,454	-845
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$293,968	$274,916	$205,636

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Parenthetical (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, tax	$200	$216	$218
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, tax	$0	$193	$0

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Net income	$313,084	$269,941	$237,343
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	17,457	16,339	15,367
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	-17,153	-30,161	-17,410
Depreciation	61,341	54,229	49,777
Amortization	27,067	22,054	16,269
Deferred income taxes	30,930	22,678	31,837
Loss on sale of business	0	4,867	19
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	-2,278	752	-7,221
Other, net	3,381	1,677	5,253
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-54,767	-4,329	-31,821
Accounts payable	7	406	-9,132
Accrued liabilities	4,547	24,537	36,289
Deferred revenues	-1,319	931	-1,997
Other assets and liabilities	21,170	3,527	-18,469
Net cash provided by operating activities	403,467	387,448	306,104
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-161,936	-224,367	-469,209
Proceeds from/ (purchase of) short-term investments	73	-89	15,942
Proceeds from sale of business and other assets	0	764	2,371
Capital expenditures	-73,109	-65,236	-53,301
Net cash used in investing activities	-234,972	-288,928	-504,197
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Repayment of long-term debt and other obligations	-88,507	-102,932	-65,546
Borrowings on foreign bank debt	218,968	98,620	42,178
Repayments on foreign bank debt	-201,967	-69,454	-16,168
Borrowings on senior credit facility	1,029,718	863,286	1,643,458
Repayments on senior credit facility	-984,979	-1,167,595	-1,372,631
Proceeds from private placement of long-term note	0	250,000	0
Payments of deferred financing costs	0	-956	-3,740
Payments on capital lease obligations	-4,024	-3,192	-3,333
Purchase and cancellation of treasury stock	-163,700	-48,028	-124,056
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	42,345	64,461	31,286
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	17,153	30,161	17,410
Payments to noncontrolling interests	-1,026	-5,897	-10,986
Net cash used in financing activities	-136,019	-91,526	137,872
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,809	1,819	3,456
Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	30,667	8,813	-56,765
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	31,324	22,511	79,276
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	61,991	31,324	22,511
NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Issuance of obligations for acquisitions	100,101	97,541	57,560
Issuance of obligations for noncontrolling interests	$6,119	$8,197	$779

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$1,080,350	$852	$46,945	$1,017,497	($16,869)	$31,925
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	85,242,000	'	'	'	'
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	234,751	'	'	'	'	'
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	2,592	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	237,343	'	'	234,751	'	2,592
Currency translation adjustment	-32,893	'	'	'	-29,456	-3,437
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	341	'	'	'	341	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (in shares)	'	1,016,000	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	36,405	11	36,394	'	'	'
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)	'	-1,562,000	'	'	'	'
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	-124,056	-16	-115,095	-8,945	'	'
Stock compensation expense	15,367	'	15,367	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	17,410	'	17,410	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions	10,708	'	'	'	'	10,708
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership	-11,231	'	-1,021	'	'	-10,210
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to divestiture	-1,959	'	'	'	'	-1,959
Payments to noncontrolling interests	-534	'	'	'	'	-534
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,227,251	847	0	1,243,303	-45,984	29,085
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	84,696,000	'	'	'	'
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	267,996	'	'	'	'	'
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1,945	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	269,941	'	'	267,996	'	1,945
Currency translation adjustment	6,801	'	'	'	6,292	509
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	628	'	'	'	628	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (in shares)	'	1,855,000	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	68,463	19	68,444	'	'	'
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)	'	-563,000	'	'	'	'
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	-48,028	-6	0	-48,022	'	'
Stock compensation expense	16,339	'	16,339	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	30,161	'	30,161	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions	4,386	'	'	'	'	4,386
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership	-18,039	'	1,958	'	'	-19,997
Payments to noncontrolling interests	-580	'	-182	'	'	-398
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,557,323	860	116,720	1,463,277	-39,064	15,530
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	85,987,883	85,988,000	'	'	'	'
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	311,372	'	'	311,372	'	'
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	'	'	'	'	'	1,712
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	313,084	'	'	'	'	'
Currency translation adjustment	-19,160	'	'	'	-17,718	-1,442
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	314	'	'	'	314	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (in shares)	'	973,000	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	48,001	10	47,991	'	'	'
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)	'	-1,461,000	'	'	'	'
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	-163,700	-15	0	-163,685	'	'
Stock compensation expense	17,457	'	17,457	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	17,153	'	17,153	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions	4,211	'	'	'	'	4,211
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership	-7,137	'	-4,211	'	'	-2,926
Payments to noncontrolling interests	-8	'	'	'	'	-8
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,767,538	$855	$195,110	$1,610,964	($56,468)	$17,077
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	85,500,037	85,500,000	'	'	'	'

DESCRIPTION_OF_BUSINESS

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS	'
	DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
	We were incorporated in 1989 and presently serve a diverse customer base of over 566,000 customers throughout the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
	We lease office space for our corporate offices in Lake Forest, Illinois. Domestically, we own or lease 61 processing facilities, the majority of which use autoclave waste processing technology. All of our processing facilities also serve as collection sites. We own or lease 97 additional transfer sites, 10 additional sales/administrative sites, and 52 other service facilities. Internationally, we own or lease 105 processing facilities, the majority of which use autoclave waste processing technology. We also own or lease 58 additional transfer sites, 34 additional sales/administrative sites, 18 other service facilities, and we lease two landfills.
	We are in the business of providing regulated and compliance solutions to healthcare and commercial businesses. This includes the collection and processing of specialized waste for disposal, and a variety of training, consulting, recall/return, communication, and compliance services.
	The regulated solutions we provide include: medical waste disposal, our Steri-Safe® medical waste and compliance program, our Clinical Services program, our Sharps Management Service featuring Bio Systems® reusable sharps containers, pharmaceutical waste disposal, hazardous waste disposal, and medical safety products. Our compliance solutions include: training, consulting, inbound/outbound communications, data reporting, and other regulatory compliance services. In addition to our regulated and compliance solutions, we offer regulated recall and returns management solutions which encompass a number of services for a variety of businesses, but consist primarily of managing the recall, withdrawal, or return of expired or recalled products and pharmaceuticals.
	We have 8,376 employees in the United States, of which 424 are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Internationally, we have 6,548 employees, of which approximately 1,940 are covered by collective bargaining agreements, primarily in Latin America.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with these accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.
	In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements included herein contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the results of our operations, our cash flows, and our statement of changes in equity for the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The following reclassifications were made to our 2012 balance sheet and to our 2012 and 2011 statements of cash flows:
	•	related to product reimbursement liabilities
	▪	in our balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, $12.7 million was reclassified from accrued liabilities to other current liabilities;
	▪	in our statement of cash flows for 2012, $1.2 million was reclassified within operating activities from accrued liabilities to other assets and liabilities;
	▪	in our statement of cash flows for 2011, $18.0 million was reclassified within operating activities from accrued liabilities to other assets and liabilities.
	•	other reclassifications
	▪	in our balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, $6.7 million was reclassified from accrued liabilities to accounts payable;
	▪	in our statement of cash flows for 2012, $0.5 million was reclassified within operating activities from accrued liabilities to accounts payable; $5.3 million was reclassified from investing activities to financing activities related to purchases of additional noncontrolling interests;
	▪	in our statement of cash flows for 2011, $3.4 million was reclassified within operating activities from accrued liabilities to accounts payable; $10.5 million was reclassified from investing activities to financing activities related to purchases of additional noncontrolling interests.
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of reported assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results may differ from those estimate

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Principles of Consolidation:
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stericycle, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
	Revenue Recognition:
	Revenues for our regulated waste management services, other than our compliances services such as Steri-Safe, are recognized at the time of waste collection. Our compliance service revenues are recognized evenly over the contractual service period. Payments received in advance are deferred and recognized as services are provided. Revenues from regulated recall and returns management services and communication solutions are recorded at the time services are performed. Revenues from product sales are recognized at the time the goods are shipped to the ordering customer. Charges related to international value added tax (“VAT”) and other similar pass through taxes are not included as revenue.
	Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments:
	We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of less than three months when purchased to be cash equivalents. Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit which mature in less than one year.
	Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization, which include the depreciation of assets recorded under capital leases, are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Building and improvements	5 to 50 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 30 years
	Containers	2 to 20 years
	Vehicles	2 to 7 years
	Office equipment and furniture	2 to 15 years
	Software	2 to 7 years
	Our containers have a weighted average remaining useful life of 12.5 years.
	Acquisition Accounting:
	Acquisition accounting requires us to recognize assets and liabilities at their fair value. The process of determining fair value requires time to complete therefore we will make some estimates at the time of acquisition. These estimates are primarily for amortizable intangibles, and if appropriate, an associated deferred tax liability. These estimates are based on historical experience and allow us to recognize amortization expense until the final valuation is complete.
	Goodwill and Identifiable Intangibles:
	Goodwill and identifiable indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to an annual impairment test. Our finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. We have determined that our customer relationships have useful lives from 14 to 40 years based upon the type of customer, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 25.6 years. We have covenants not-to-compete intangibles with useful lives from 3 to 14 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 3.9 years. We have tradename intangibles with useful lives from 10 to 40 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 15.7 years. We have license agreements with useful life of 5 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 1.9 years. We have determined that our permits have indefinite lives due to our ability to renew these permits with minimal additional cost, and therefore they are not amortized.
	Valuation of our intangible customer relationships and permits is derived using a discounted income and cost savings approach. Financial information such as revenues, costs, assets and liabilities, and other assumptions related to the intangible asset are input into a standard valuation model to determine a stream of income attributable to that intangible. The income stream is then discounted to the present to arrive at a valuation. We perform annual impairment tests on our indefinite lived intangible assets.
	Valuation of Intangibles:
	Our permits are currently tested for impairment annually at December 31, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. We use a discounted income or cost savings model as the current measurement of the fair value of the permits. The fair value is based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, internal and external processing costs, and an appropriate discount rate determined by management. Our estimates of discounted income may differ from actual income due to, among other things, inaccuracies in economic estimates.
	Amortizable identifiable intangible assets, such as customer relationships, tradenames and covenants not-to-compete, are currently amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. We have determined that our customer relationships have between 14 and 40 year lives based on the specific type of relationship. The valuation of our contractual customer relationships was derived using a discounted income approach valuation model. These assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may be less than its undiscounted estimated future cash flows (see Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
	Share Repurchases:
	Purchase price over par value for share repurchases are allocated to retained earnings.
	Income Taxes:
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense.
	Accounts Receivable:
	Accounts receivable consist of amounts due to us from our normal business activities and are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Our accounts receivable balance includes amounts related to VAT and similar international pass-through taxes. We do not require collateral as part of our standard trade credit policy. Accounts receivable balances are determined to be past due when the amount is overdue based on the contractual terms with the customer. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect the expected uncollectibility of accounts receivable based on past collection history and specific risks identified among uncollected accounts. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when we have determined that the receivable will not be collected and/or when the account has been referred to a third party collection agency. No single customer accounts for more than approximately 2% of our accounts receivable. Bad debt expense was $4.8 million, $4.6 million and $7.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Financial Instruments:
	Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and payable and long-term debt. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated at $1.41 billion, compared to a carrying amount of $1.43 billion. This fair value was estimated using market interest rates for comparable instruments. The Company has no current plans to retire a significant amount of its debt prior to maturity. Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of accounts receivable. Credit risk on trade receivables is minimized as a result of the large size of our customer base. No single customer represents greater than approximately 2% of total accounts receivable. We perform ongoing credit evaluation of our customers and maintain allowances for potential credit losses. For any contracts in loss positions, losses are recorded when probable and estimable. These losses, when incurred, have been within the range of our expectations.
	Use of Estimates:
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Some areas where we make estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts, credit memo reserve, accrued employee health and welfare benefits, stock compensation expense, income tax liabilities, accrued auto and workers’ compensation insurance claims, and intangible asset valuations. Such estimates are based on historical trends and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
	Future estimated expenses may fluctuate depending on changes in foreign currency rates. The estimates for payments due on long-term debt, lease payments under capital leases, accrued liabilities, contingent consideration liabilities, intangible assets amortization expense, and rental payments are based upon foreign exchange rates as of December 31, 2013.
	Stock-Based Compensation:
	We recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to our employees and directors. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating expected volatility of our stock, expected term of the award, and the risk-free interest rate. Our stock’s expected volatility is based upon historical experience. The expected term of options granted is based on historical experience. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield rates for a comparable period. If factors change and we employ different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense for new grants may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the past.
	Foreign Currency Translation:
	Assets and liabilities of foreign affiliates that use the local currency as their functional currency are translated at the exchange rate on the last day of the accounting period, and income statement accounts are translated at the average rates during the period. Related translation adjustments are reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss in Stericycle, Inc's equity.
	Environmental Matters:
	We record a liability for environmental remediation or damages when such liability becomes probable and the costs or damages can be reasonably estimated. We did not have any environmental liabilities recorded at December 31, 2013, nor are we aware of any issues at our facilities that could necessitate environmental remediation.
	New Accounting Standards:
	Accounting Standards Recently Adopted
	Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment
	On January 1, 2013, we adopted guidance allowing a company to perform a qualitative assessment in determining whether an indefinite lived intangible asset is impaired. This new guidance is similar to the previously issued guidance allowing a qualitative assessment when performing annual goodwill impairment testing. The guidance also changes when a company should perform an interim period test for impairment, allowing for positive evidence to offset negative evidence when determining whether an interim impairment test is required. The new guidance does not affect the ultimate outcome of an impairment test; therefore there is no impact on our financial statements. We perform our annual test for impairment for indefinite lived intangibles in the fourth quarter.
	Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
	Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists
	In July of 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. For example, an entity should not evaluate whether the deferred tax asset expires before the statute of limitations on the tax position or whether the deferred tax asset may be used prior to the unrecognized tax benefit being settled. Both prospective and retrospective application may be applied. This guidance becomes effective for us beginning January 1, 2014, at which time we will apply the guidance on a prospective basis. This update affects presentation only.

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	'
	ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
	The following table summarizes the locations of our acquisitions for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	Acquisition Locations		2013			2012			2011
	United States		13			17			21
	Argentina		3			1			1
	Brazil		2			1			4
	Canada		3			—			2
	Chile		1			3			1
	Ireland		—			—			1
	Japan		3			1			3
	Mexico		1			2			—
	Portugal		2			1			1
	Romania		6			2			6
	Spain		3			8			2
	United Kingdom		12			5			3
	Total		49			41			45
	During 2013, we completed 49 acquisitions, of which 13 were domestic and 36 were international businesses. Domestically, we acquired the selected assets of eleven regulated waste businesses, one communication services business, and 100% of the stock of another communication solutions business.
	Internationally, in Argentina, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses and selected assets of one regulated waste business. In Brazil, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business and 70% of another regulated waste business. In Canada, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses and selected assets of one communication solution business. In Chile, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business. In Japan, we acquired selected assets of three regulated waste businesses. In Mexico, we acquired 51% stock of a regulated waste business. In Portugal, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business and selected assets of another regulated waste business. In Romania, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses and selected assets of four regulated waste businesses. In Spain, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste business and selected assets of another regulated waste business. In the United Kingdom, we acquired 100% of the stock of seven regulated waste businesses, one recall and returns business, two communication solutions businesses, and selected assets of two regulated waste businesses.
	The following table summarizes the aggregate purchase price paid for acquisitions and other adjustments of consideration to be paid for acquisitions during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	In thousands
			2013				2012			2011
	Cash		$	161,936			$	224,367		$	469,209
	Promissory notes		64,581				70,670			38,461
	Deferred consideration		31,149				17,681			11,695
	Contingent consideration		4,371				9,190			7,404
	Total purchase price		$	262,037			$	321,908		$	526,769
	For financial reporting purposes our acquisitions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. These acquisitions resulted in recognition of goodwill in our financial statements reflecting the premium paid to acquire businesses that we believe are complementary to our existing operations and fit our growth strategy. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, we recognized a net increase in goodwill of $179.8 million excluding the effect of foreign currency translation (see Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). A net increase of $61.8 million was assigned to our United States reportable segment, and $118.0 million was assigned to our International reportable segment. Approximately $84.6 million of the goodwill recognized during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 will be deductible for income taxes.
	During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, we recognized a net increase in intangible assets of $92.4 million, excluding the effect of foreign currency translation. The changes include $77.9 million in the estimated fair value of acquired customer relationships with amortizable lives of 15 to 40 years, $7.9 million in permits with indefinite lives, $5.8 million in tradename with indefinite life, $0.3 million in tradenames with amortizable lives of 10 to 20 years, and $0.5 million in non-competes with amortizable lives of 3 to 5 years.
	The purchase prices for these acquisitions in excess of acquired tangible assets have been primarily allocated to goodwill and other intangibles and are preliminary, pending completion of certain intangible asset valuations and completion accounts. The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation for current period acquisitions and other adjustments to purchase price allocations during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	In thousands
			2013				2012			2011
	Fixed assets		$	15,582			$	30,426		$	29,897
	Intangibles		92,398				150,149			206,775
	Goodwill		179,795				147,156			342,486
	Net other assets/ (liabilities)		(20		)		23,102			19,996
	Debt		(7,512		)		(4,353		)	(1,240		)
	Net deferred tax liabilities		(13,995		)		(20,186		)	(60,437		)
	Noncontrolling interests		(4,211		)		(4,386		)	(10,708		)
	Total purchase price allocation		$	262,037			$	321,908		$	526,769
	During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the Company incurred $10.3 million, $7.9 million and $16.7 million, respectively, of acquisition related expenses. These expenses are included with with “Selling, general and administrative expenses” (“SG&A”) on our Consolidated Statements of Income.
	The results of operations of these acquired businesses have been included in the consolidated statements of income from the date of the acquisition. Because we integrate acquisitions into our current structure in order to achieve cost synergies, the effect of acquisitions on net income is not practical to estimate. The 2013 estimated impact to revenues of these acquisitions was $56.8 million. The estimated annualized revenues from these acquisitions were approximately $154.3 million. The following consolidated pro forma information on the impact of these acquisitions to our consolidated revenues is based on the assumption that these acquisitions all occurred on January 1, 2013 and 2012.
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012
	Revenues	2,240,302			2,010,644

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The impact of our creditworthiness has been considered in the fair value measurements noted below. In addition, the fair value measurement of a liability must reflect the nonperformance risk of an entity.
	In thousands
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		December 31, 2013				Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	61,991			$	61,991	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments	413				413		—		—
	Total assets	$	62,404			$	62,404	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	12,527			$	—	$	—	$	12,527
	Total liabilities	$	12,527			$	—	$	—	$	12,527
	In thousands
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		December 31, 2012				Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	31,324			$	31,324	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments	503				503		—		—
	Total assets	$	31,827			$	31,827	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	18,511			$	—	$	—	$	18,511
	Total liabilities	$	18,511			$	—	$	—	$	18,511
	We had contingent consideration liabilities recorded using Level 3 inputs in the amount of $12.5 million (of which $9.2 million is classified as current liabilities at December 31, 2013), and $18.5 million at December 31, 2012. Contingent consideration represents amounts to be paid as part of acquisition consideration only if certain future events occur. These events are usually acquisition targets for revenues or earnings. We arrive at the fair value of contingent consideration by applying a weighted probability of potential outcomes to the maximum possible payout. The calculation of these potential outcomes is dependent on both past financial performance and management assumptions about future performance. If the financial performance measures were all fully met, our maximum liability would be $16.0 million at December 31, 2013. Contingent consideration liabilities are reassessed each quarter and are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as part of “Other current liabilities” or “Other liabilities”. Changes to contingent consideration are reflected in the table below:
	In thousands
	Contingent consideration at December 31, 2012		$	18,511
	Increases due to acquisitions		4,371
	Increase due to additional ownership of noncontrolling interests		4,006
	Decrease due to payments		(11,068		)
	Changes due to currency fluctuations		(1,015		)
	Changes in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(2,278		)
	Contingent consideration at December 31, 2013		$	12,527
	Fair Value of Debt: At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated, using Level 2 inputs, at $1.41 billion compared to a carrying amount of $1.43 billion. At December 31, 2012, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated, using Level 2 inputs, at $1.39 billion compared to a carrying amount of $1.36 billion. The fair values were estimated using an income approach by applying market interest rates for comparable instruments. The Company has no current plans to retire a significant amount of its debt prior to maturity.
	There were no movements of items between fair value hierarchies.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The U.S. and International components of income before income taxes consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	In thousands
		2013				2012				2011
	United States	$	407,315			$	357,076			$	307,909
	International	70,431				60,121				64,415
	Total income before income taxes	$	477,746			$	417,197			$	372,324
	Significant components of our income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
	In thousands
		2013				2012				2011
	Current
	United States - federal	$	103,751			$	95,864			$	99,481
	United States - state and local	11,683				14,034				10,205
	International	24,486				17,192				11,906
		139,920				127,090				121,592
	Deferred
	United States - federal	31,808				25,028				7,690
	United States - state and local	5,510				3,881				2,589
	International	(10,246		)		(8,743		)		4,879
	International - changes in statutory rates	(2,330		)		—				(1,769		)
		24,742				20,166				13,389
	Total provision	$	164,662			$	147,256			$	134,981
	A reconciliation of the income tax provision computed at the federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal statutory income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Effect of:
	State and local taxes, net of federal tax effect	2.3	%		2.9	%		2.2	%
	Foreign tax rates	(0.8	)%		(1.2	)%		(1.6	)%
	Other	(2.0	)%		(1.4	)%		0.7	%
	Effective tax rate	34.5	%		35.3	%		36.3	%
	Cash payments for income taxes were $102.1 million, $104.7 million and $76.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Our deferred tax liabilities and assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	In thousands
		2013				2012
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment	$	(43,280	)		$	(37,112	)
	Goodwill and intangibles	(387,942		)		(357,453		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(431,222		)		(394,565		)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued liabilities	20,415				24,251
	Other	25,625				23,896
	Net operating tax loss carry-forwards	8,097				12,973
	Less: valuation allowances	(1,122		)		(3,340		)
	Total deferred tax assets	53,015				57,780
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(378,207	)		$	(336,785	)
	At December 31, 2013, net operating loss carry-forwards for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes have been fully utilized, excluding net operating loss carry-forwards related to our acquisitions. The net operating loss carry-forwards from foreign and domestic acquisitions are approximately $21.8 million and certain of these net operating loss carry-forwards begin to expire in 2016. The tax benefit of these net operating losses is approximately $8.1 million at December 31, 2013, on which a valuation allowance of $1.1 million was recorded offsetting such tax benefit. The valuation allowance primarily relates to loss carry-forwards for which limitations are in place and utilization before their expiration is uncertain. During 2013, we reversed valuation allowances previously recorded in Japan, because net operating tax loss carry-forwards are now considered more likely than not to be realized. Other changes in our valuation allowance during 2013 were not material.
	Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered permanently reinvested, and therefore no deferred taxes are recorded thereon. The cumulative amounts of such earnings are $372.7 million at December 31, 2013, and it is not practicable to estimate the amount of tax that may be payable upon distribution assuming repatriation.
	On September 13, 2013, the IRS released final tangible property regulations under Sections 162(a) and 263(a) of the Internal Revenue Code regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property as well as dispositions of tangible property. Taxpayers may elect to apply them to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2012. We have elected to implement this regulation as of January 1, 2013, which resulted in an immaterial reduction to our current year tax expense.
	We and our subsidiaries file U.S. federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions. With a few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010. In 2013 the Internal Revenue Service commenced an audit of our 2010 Corporate Income Tax return. That audit is still active at the date of this filing and we expect no material changes as a result of the examination.
	The Company has recorded accruals to cover certain unrecognized tax positions. Such unrecognized tax positions relate to additional taxes that the Company may be required to pay in various tax jurisdictions. During the course of examinations by various taxing authorities, proposed adjustments may be asserted. The Company evaluates such items on a case-by-case basis and adjusts the accrual for unrecognized tax positions as deemed necessary. The estimated amount of liability associated with the Company’s unrecognized tax positions that may significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months cannot be reasonably estimated.
	The total amount of unrecognized tax positions as of December 31, 2013 is $14.9 million. The amount of unrecognized tax positions that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $14.9 million. We recognized interest and penalties accrued related to income tax reserves in the amount of $0.4 million and $0.3 million, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as a component of income tax expense.
	The following table summarizes the changes in unrecognized tax positions during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
	Unrecognized tax positions, December 31, 2011	$	10,772
	Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	2,284
	Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	—
	Gross increases - current period tax positions	4,119
	Settlement	—
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(1,071		)
	Unrecognized tax positions, December 31, 2012	$	16,104
	Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	267
	Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	(1,129		)
	Gross increases - current period tax positions	2,514
Settlement	—
Lapse of statute of limitations	(2,846		)
Unrecognized tax positions, December 31, 2013	$	14,910

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION	'
	STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
	At December 31, 2013, we had the following stock option and stock purchase plans:
	•	the 2011 Incentive Stock Plan, which our stockholders approved in May 2011;
	•	the 2008 Incentive Stock Plan, which our stockholders approved in May 2008;
	•	the 2005 Incentive Stock Plan, which our stockholders approved in April 2005;
	•	the 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, which expired in February 2010;
	•	the 1997 Stock Option Plan, which expired in January 2007;
	•	the 1996 Directors Stock Option Plan, which expired in May 2006; and
	•	the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), which our stockholders approved in May 2001.
	The 2011 Incentive Stock Plan authorizes awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and restricted stock units for a total of 3,000,000 shares; the 2008 Plan authorizes awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and restricted stock units for a total of 3,500,000 shares; the 2005 Plan authorizes awards of stock options and stock appreciation rights for a total of 4,800,000 shares; the 2000 Plan authorizes stock option grants for a total of 7,000,000 shares; the 1997 Plan authorized stock option grants for a total of 6,000,000 shares; and the Directors Plan authorized stock option grants for a total of 2,340,000 shares.
	In terms of the stock options authorized, the 2011 Plan, 2008 Plan, and the 2005 Plan provide for the grant of non-statutory stock options (“NSOs”) and incentive stock options (“ISOs”) intended to qualify under section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code; the 2000 Plan provides for the grant of NSOs; the 1997 Plan provided for the grant of NSOs and ISOs; and the Directors Plan provided for the grant of NSOs.
	The 2011, 2008 and 2005 Plans authorize awards to our officers, employees and consultants, and following the expiration of the Directors Plan in May 2006, to our directors; the 2000 Plan authorized awards to our employees and consultants but not to our officers and directors; the 1997 Plan authorized awards to our officers, directors, employees and consultants; and the Directors Plan authorized awards to our outside directors.
	The exercise price per share of an option granted under any of our stock option plans may not be less than the closing price of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of an option granted under any plan may not exceed 10 years. An option may be exercised only when it is vested and, in the case of an option granted to an employee (including an officer), only while he or she remains an employee and for a limited period following the termination of his or her employment. New shares are issued upon exercise of stock options.
	As of December 31, 2013, we reserved the following shares for issuance, consisting of both shares available for awards under the 2011 Plan, 2008 Plan, 2005 Plan, 2000 Plan, and 1997 Plan and shares issuable under outstanding stock option grants and restricted stock unit awards:
	1996 Directors Plan shares		28,744
	1997 Plan shares		3,384
	2000 Plan shares		135,117
	2005 Plan shares		1,843,929
	2008 Plan shares		3,045,598
	2011 Plan shares		3,000,000
	Total shares reserved		8,056,772
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
	In October 2000, our Board of Directors adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP"), which our stock holders approved in May 2001, and was made effective as of July 1, 2001. The ESPP authorizes 900,000 shares of our common stock, which substantially most employees may purchase through payroll deductions at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market values of the stock as of the beginning or the end of the six-month offering periods. An employee's payroll deductions, and stock purchase, may not exceed $5,000 during any offering period. During 2013, 2012 and 2011, 52,956 shares, 56,362 shares and 53,213 shares respectively, were issued through the ESPP.
	Stock Based Compensation Expense:
	During 2013, there were no changes to our stock compensation plans or modifications to outstanding stock-based awards which would change the value of any awards outstanding. Compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006 is based on the grant-date fair value determined in accordance with the provisions of FASB accounting standards for share-based payments.
	The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock option awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and the ESPP included in the Consolidated Statements of Income:
	In thousands
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013				2012			2011
	Cost of revenues - stock option plan		$	120			$	136		$	121
	Selling, general and administrative - stock option plan		15,212				13,630			13,428
	Selling, general and administrative - RSUs		1,116				1,474			811
	Selling, general and administrative - ESPP		1,009				1,099			1,007
	Total pre-tax expense		$	17,457			$	16,339		$	15,367
	The following table sets forth the tax benefits related to stock compensation:
	In thousands
			Years Ended December 31,
			2013				2012			2011
	Tax benefit recognized in Statement of Income		$	4,518			$	5,818		$	6,091
	Excess tax benefit realized		17,153				30,161			17,410
	Stock Options:
	Options granted to directors vest in one year and options granted to officers and employees generally vest over five years. Expense related to the graded vesting options is recognized using the straight-line method over the vesting period. Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013, is summarized as follows:
			Number of			Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
			Options
	Outstanding at beginning of year		5,543,664			$	61.69
	Granted		1,057,630			97.09
	Exercised		(923,688	)		48.17
	Forfeited		(135,371	)		79.22
	Canceled or expired		(1,753	)		20.6
	Outstanding at end of year		5,540,482			$	70.29
	Exercisable at end of year		2,739,717			$	57.35
	Vested and expected to vest		4,965,902			$	68.16
	As of December 31, 2013, there was $27.2 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested option awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.49 years.
	The total exercise intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax value (the difference between the sales price on that trading day in the year ended December 31, 2013 and the exercise price associated with the respective option).
	In thousands
			2013				2012			2011
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised		$	55,757			$	97,816		$	52,939
	The total aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between our closing stock price on the last day of trading for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders assuming all option holders had exercised their options on December 31, 2013; this amount changes based on the fair market value of our stock.
	The following table sets forth the information related to outstanding and exercisable options for the years ended December 31:
			2013				2012			2011
	Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options (in years)		6.6				6.7			6.5
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options (in thousands)		$	254,200			$	175,200		$	184,300
	Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options (in years)		5.3				5.5			5.3
Total aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options (in thousands)		$	161,100			$	114,500		$	128,900
Options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2013 by price range are presented below:
		Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Price		Shares			Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years		Weighted Average Exercise Price			Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
$22.110 - $38.565		573,918			2.46		$	33.46		565,918		$	33.5
$38.905 - $49.760		602,910			4.98		46.79			436,174		46.74
$50.020 - $51.550		744,346			6.09		51.53			401,501		51.52
$51.750 - $58.820		563,083			4.57		54.44			550,667		54.43
$58.900 - $84.910		176,926			7.32		77.06			119,462		78.54
$85.000 - $85.000		768,426			7.11		85			321,318		85
$85.020 - $86.020		13,850			8.11		85.5			2,450		85.55
$86.240 - $86.240		862,195			8.12		86.24			187,983		86.24
$86.830 - $95.030		211,946			8.08		90.48			115,370		88.85
$95.870 - $119.190		1,022,882			9.16		97.14			38,874		96.56
$22.110 - $119.190		5,540,482			6.58		$	70.29		2,739,717		$	57.35
The Company uses historical data to estimate expected life and volatility. The estimated fair value of stock options at the time of the grant using the Black-Scholes model option pricing model was as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012			2011
Stock options granted (shares)		1,057,630				1,142,205			1,050,226
Weighted average fair value at grant date		$	22.02			$	20.14		$	21.07
Expected term (in years)		5.81				6			5.75
Expected volatility		27.03		%		27.87		%	27.42		%
Expected dividend yield		—		%		—		%	—		%
Risk free interest rate		1		%		1.05		%	2.21		%
Restricted Stock Units:
Restricted stock units ("RSUs") vest at the end of three or five years, and our 2008 and 2011 Plans include a share reserve related to RSUs granted at a 2-1 ratio. The following table sets forth the information related to RSUs for the years ended December 31:
		2013				2012			2011
Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding units (in thousands)		$	8,185			$	6,362		$	2,707
Per share fair value of units granted		96.4				86.24			85
A summary of the status of our non-vested RSUs and changes during the year 2013 are as follows:
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at beginning of year		68,202			$	79.45
Granted		17,900			96.4
Vested and released		(12,750	)		51.65
Forfeited		(2,895	)		90.75
Non-vested at end of year		70,457			$	88.32
As of December 31, 2013, there was $3.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.62 years. The fair value of units that vested during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $1.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. No units vested in 2011.

PREFERRED_STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
PREFERRED STOCK	'
	PREFERRED STOCK
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had 1,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock and no shares issued or outstanding.

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options, shares to be purchased under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan and RSUs. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, an increase in the fair market value of the Company’s common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive securities.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
	In thousands, except share and per share data
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	311,372	$	267,996	$	234,751
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	85,902,550		85,401,365		85,467,421
	Effect of diluted securities:
	Employee stock options	1,489,438		1,617,108		1,900,291
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	87,391,988		87,018,473		87,367,712
	Earnings per share – Basic	$	3.62	$	3.14	$	2.75
	Earnings per share – Diluted	$	3.56	$	3.08	$	2.69
	For additional information regarding outstanding employee stock options, see Note 6 - Stock Based Compensation, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, options to purchase 846,808 shares, 1,049,707 shares and 879,266 shares, respectively, at exercise prices of $94.76-$119.19, $77.49-$94.76 and $77.00-$94.24 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	The following table sets forth the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income for 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	In thousands
		Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss)
	Beginning balance January 1, 2011	$	(14,128	)	$	(2,741	)	$	(16,869	)
	Period change	(29,456		)	341			(29,115		)
	Ending balance December 31, 2011	$	(43,584	)	$	(2,400	)	$	(45,984	)
	Period change	6,292			628			6,920
	Ending balance December 31, 2012	$	(37,292	)	$	(1,772	)	$	(39,064	)
	Period change	(17,718		)	314			(17,404		)
	Ending balance December 31, 2013	$	(55,010	)	$	(1,458	)	$	(56,468	)
	The tax impact of the unrealized gains/ (losses) on cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $0.2 million, $0.4 million, and $0.2 million, respectively. Translation adjustments are not tax-effected as the Company’s net investment in foreign subsidiaries and all related foreign earnings are deemed permanently invested.

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	'
	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following items:
	In thousands
		2013			2012
	Land	$	26,818		$	26,198
	Building and improvements	113,740			106,388
	Machinery and equipment	214,324			200,805
	Vehicles	46,579			39,468
	Containers	145,273			132,094
	Office equipment and furniture	68,005			56,515
	Software	25,676			19,495
	Construction in progress	41,583			30,925
	Total property, plant & equipment	681,998			611,888
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(323,031		)	(276,018		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	358,967		$	335,870

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill and other identifiable indefinite lived intangibles are not amortized, but are subject to an annual impairment test, or more frequent testing if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired.
	Goodwill
	We have two geographical reportable segments, “United States” and “International”, both of which have goodwill. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill since December 31, 2011, by reportable segment, were as follows:
	In thousands
			United States				International				Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2011		$	1,506,416			$	407,287			$	1,913,703
	Goodwill acquired during year		114,931				62,145				177,076
	Goodwill allocation adjustments		(5,061		)		(24,859		)		(29,920		)
	Sale of business		—				(1,178		)		(1,178		)
	Changes due to currency fluctuation		—				5,422				5,422
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		1,616,286				448,817				2,065,103
	Goodwill acquired during year		57,250				116,534				173,784
	Goodwill allocation adjustments		4,541				1,470				6,011
	Changes due to currency fluctuation		—				(13,316		)		(13,316		)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	1,678,077			$	553,505			$	2,231,582
	Current year adjustments to goodwill for certain 2012 acquisitions are primarily due to the finalization of intangible asset valuations.
	During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, we performed our annual goodwill impairment evaluation for our three reporting units, Domestic Regulated and Compliance Services, Domestic Regulated Recall and Returns Management Services, and International Regulated and Compliance Services. We calculate the fair value of our reporting units using an income method and validate those results using a market approach. Both the income and market approaches indicated no impairment to goodwill to any of our three reporting units.
	Market Approach: Our market approach begins by calculating the market capitalization of the Company using the average stock price for the prior twelve months and the outstanding share count at June 30, 2013. We then look at the Company's Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted for stock compensation expense and other items, such as change in fair value of contingent consideration, restructuring and plant closure costs, and litigation settlement for the prior twelve months. The calculated market capitalization is divided by the modified EBITDA to arrive at a valuation multiple. The fair value of each reporting unit is then calculated by taking the product of the valuation multiple and the trailing twelve month modified EBITDA of that reporting unit. The fair value was then compared to the reporting units' book value and determined to be in excess of the book value. We believe that starting with the fair value of the company as a whole is a reasonable measure as that fair value is then allocated to each reporting unit based on that reporting unit's individual earnings. A sustained drop in our stock price would have a negative impact to our fair value calculations. A temporary drop in earnings of a reporting unit would have a negative impact to our fair value calculations.
	The results of our goodwill impairment test using the market approach indicated the fair value of our reporting units exceeded book value by a substantial amount; in excess of 100%.
	Income Approach: The income approach uses expected future cash flows of each reporting unit and discounts those cash flows to present values. Expected future cash flows are calculated using management assumptions of internal growth, capital expenditures, and cost efficiencies. Future acquisitions are not included in the expected future cash flows. We use a discount rate based on our Company calculated weighted average cost of capital which is adjusted for each of our reporting units based on size risk premium and country risk premium. Significant assumptions used in the income approach include realization of future cash flows and the discount rate used to present value those cash flows.
	The results of our goodwill impairment test using the income approach indicated the fair value of our reporting units exceeded book value by a substantial amount; in excess of 100%.
	Other Intangible Assets
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 the values of other intangible assets were as follows:
	In thousands
		2013												2012
		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying				Amortization				Value				Carrying		Amortization		Value
		Amount												Amount
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Covenants not-to-compete	$	9,405			$	5,366			$	4,039			$	10,993	$	5,843	$	5,150
	Customer relationships	670,889				81,271				589,618				602,095		57,236		544,859
	Tradenames	5,283				1,031				4,252				4,922		712		4,210
	License agreements	611				416				195				720		420		300
	Other	91				14				77				89		4		85
	Indefinite lived intangibles:
	Operating permits	116,054				—				116,054				112,867		—		112,867
	Tradenames	5,800				—				5,800				—		—		—
	Total	$	808,133			$	88,098			$	720,035			$	731,686	$	64,215	$	667,471
	In 2013 and 2012, we wrote off $2.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively, for the permit intangibles of facilities due to rationalizing our domestic and international operations. These expenses are reflected as part of "Selling, general and administrative expenses". Under current acquisition accounting, a fair value must be assigned to all acquired assets based on a theoretical "market participant" regardless of the acquirers' intended use for those assets. This accounting treatment can lead to the recognition of losses when a company disposes of acquired assets. In 2013, we wrote off $0.4 million of customer relationships due to impairment.
	We complete our annual impairment analysis of our indefinite lived intangibles during the quarter ended December 31 of each year. In 2013 and 2012, we performed our annual permit impairment evaluation and determined that, other than as noted above, there was no impairment.
	Our finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. We have determined that our customer relationships have useful lives from 14 to 40 years based upon the type of customer, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 25.6 years. We have covenants not-to-compete intangibles with useful lives from 3 to 14 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 3.9 years. We have tradename intangibles with useful lives from 10 to 40 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 15.7 years. We have license agreements with useful life of 5 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 1.9 years. We have determined that our permits have indefinite lives due to our ability to renew these permits with minimal additional cost, and therefore these are not amortized.
	During the years ended ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the aggregate amortization expense was $27.1 million, $22.1 million and $16.3 million, respectively.
	The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years, assuming no additional amortizable intangible assets, is as follows for the years ended December 31:
	In thousands
	2014		$	29,087
	2015		28,895
	2016		28,548
	2017		28,402
	2018		28,072
	Future amortization expense may fluctuate depending on changes in foreign currency rates, future acquisitions, or changes to the estimated amortizable life of the intangibles. The estimates for amortization expense noted above are based upon foreign exchange rates as of December 31, 2013.

ACCRUED_LIABILITIES

ACCRUED LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
ACCRUED LIABILITIES	'
	ACCRUED LIABILITIES
	Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following items:
	In thousands
		2013		2012
	Accrued compensation	$	36,210	$	38,801
	Accrued insurance	29,363		31,146
	Accrued taxes	19,538		11,870
	Accrued interest	8,593		9,045
	Accrued professional services	3,097		6,930
	Others	10,644		18,200
	Total accrued liabilities	$	107,445	$	115,992

DEBT

DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DEBT	'
	DEBT
	Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
	In thousands
		2013			2012
	Obligations under capital leases	$	7,343		$	5,234
	$1 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 1.60%, due in 2016	272,358			225,931
	$100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015	100,000			100,000
	$175 million private placement notes 3.89%, due in 2017	175,000			175,000
	$125 million private placement notes 2.68%, due in 2019	125,000			125,000
	$225 million private placement notes 4.47%, due in 2020	225,000			225,000
	$125 million private placement notes 3.26%, due in 2022	125,000			125,000
	Acquisition notes weighted average rate of 2.26% and weighted average maturity of 3.6 years	252,195			235,856
	Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 8.37% and weighted average maturity of 1.6 years	149,147			139,063
	Total debt	1,431,043			1,356,084
	Less: current portion of total debt	150,380			87,781
	Long-term portion of total debt	$	1,280,663		$	1,268,303
	Payments due on long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, during each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 are as follows:
	In thousands
	2014	$	146,908
	2015	211,744
	2016	344,556
	2017	204,971
	2018	20,688
	Thereafter	494,833
		$	1,423,700
	We paid interest of $51.0 million, $47.5 million and $43.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Property under capital leases included with property, plant and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets is as follows at December 31:
	In thousands
		2013			2012
	Land	$	198		$	190
	Buildings	550			528
	Machinery and equipment	2,262			2,451
	Vehicles	10,530			7,377
	Office equipment and furniture	—			123
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(3,905		)	(4,059		)
		$	9,635		$	6,610
	Amortization related to these capital leases is included with depreciation expense.
	Minimum future lease payments under capital leases are as follows:
	In thousands
	2014	$	3,991
	2015	2,448
	2016	1,073
	2017	374
	2018	40
	Thereafter	389
	Total minimum lease payments	8,315
	Less: amounts representing interest	(972		)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments	7,343
	Less: current portion included in other current liabilities	(3,472		)
	Long-term obligations under capital leases	$	3,871
	Our $1.0 billion senior credit facility maturing in September 2016, our $100.0 million private placement notes maturing April 2015, our $175.0 million private placement notes maturing in October 2017, our $125.0 million private placement notes maturing in December 2019, our $225.0 million private placement notes maturing in October 2020, and our $125.0 million private placement notes maturing in December 2022, all require us to comply with various financial, reporting and other covenants and restrictions, including a restriction on dividend payments. The financial debt covenants are the same for the senior credit facility and the private placement notes. At December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our financial debt covenants.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had $155.0 million and $157.6 million, respectively, committed to outstanding letters of credit under our senior credit facility. The unused portion of the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $572.6 million and $616.5 million, respectively.
	Guarantees and loans
	Shiraishi-Sogyo Co. Ltd. (“Shiraishi”) is an unrelated party in Japan that is expanding its medical waste management business. We have guaranteed Shiriashi’s loan of $4.7 million borrowed from JPMorganChase Bank N.A. which is currently due on May 31, 2014. Based on information currently available, we have concluded the guarantee is not probable of being called and, therefore, we have not recorded any contingent liability relating to this guarantee. We have also extended non-interest bearing loans to Shiraishi for approximately $15.5 million due April 18, 2018, which are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as part of long term "Other assets" at December 31, 2013 and 2012. There is a collateral agreement in place on the assets of Shiraishi and related companies in support of amounts owed to the Company.

LEASE_COMMITMENTS

LEASE COMMITMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
LEASE COMMITMENTS	'
	LEASE COMMITMENTS
	We lease various plant equipment, office furniture and equipment, motor vehicles, office and warehouse space, and landfills under operating lease agreements, which expire at various dates over the next 21 years. The leases for most of the properties contain renewal provisions.
	Rent expense for 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $92.4 million, $85.5 million and $75.3 million, respectively.
	Minimum future rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2013 for each of the next five years and in the aggregate are as follows:
	In thousands
	2014	$	66,289
	2015	56,509
	2016	46,027
	2017	37,411
	2018	26,059
	Thereafter	40,419
		$	272,714

PRODUCTS_AND_SERVICES_AND_GEOG

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'
	PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280 requires segment information to be reported based on information utilized by executive management to internally assess performance and make operating decisions. We have determined that we have three operating segments based on the organizational structure of our company and information reviewed. These operating segments are Domestic Regulated and Compliance Services, Domestic Regulated Recall and Returns Management Services, and International Regulated and Compliance Services (“International”). We have aggregated Domestic Regulated and Compliance Services and Domestic Regulated Recall and Returns Management Services into one reportable segment, ("United States"), based on our consideration of the following aggregation criteria:
	•	the long term economics
	•	the nature of the products and services
	•	the nature of the production processes
	•	the type or class of customer for their products and services
	•	the methods used to distribute their products or provide their services
	•	the nature of the regulatory environment.
	Management has determined that we have two reportable segments, United States (which includes Puerto Rico) and International. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of customers. The same accounting principles and critical accounting policies are used in the preparation of the financial statements for both reportable segments. Summary information for our reportable segments is as follows:
	In thousands
			2013		2012		2011
	Revenues:
	United States		$	1,506,587	$	1,370,806	$	1,212,111
	Europe		341,387		301,615		252,620
	Other international countries		294,833		240,728		211,317
	Total International		636,220		542,343		463,937
	Total		$	2,142,807	$	1,913,149	$	1,676,048
	Income before income taxes:
	United States		$	404,620	$	359,748	$	316,156
	International		73,126		57,449		56,168
	Total		$	477,746	$	417,197	$	372,324
	Total assets:
	United States		$	2,537,611	$	2,427,297	$	2,208,152
	International		1,345,186		1,119,441		968,938
	Total		$	3,882,797	$	3,546,738	$	3,177,090
	Property, Plant and Equipment, net:
	United States		$	214,810	$	207,387	$	197,118
	Europe		74,915		64,690		52,604
	Other international countries		69,242		63,793		44,190
	Total International		144,157		128,483		96,794
	Total		$	358,967	$	335,870	$	293,912
	Revenues are attributable to countries based on the location of customers. Intercompany revenues recorded by the United States for work performed in Canada are eliminated prior to reporting United States revenues. The same accounting principles and critical accounting policies are used in the preparation of the financial statements for both reportable segments.
	Detailed information for our United States reportable segment is as follows:
	In thousands
			2013		2012		2011
	Regulated and compliance services		$	1,408,812	$	1,254,486	$	1,094,928
	Recall and returns services		97,775		116,320		117,183
	Total revenue		$	1,506,587	$	1,370,806	$	1,212,111
	Net interest expense		43,131		41,084		40,048
	Income before income taxes		404,620		359,748		316,156
	Income taxes		152,874		138,807		119,982
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		$	251,746	$	220,941	$	196,174
	Depreciation and amortization		$	50,166	$	45,234	$	40,689
	Capital expenditures		43,442		38,528		36,270
	Detailed information for our International reportable segment is as follows:
	In thousands
			2013		2012		2011
	Regulated and compliance services		$	636,220	$	542,343	$	463,937
	Net interest expense		11,818		10,186		8,584
	Income before income taxes		73,126		57,449		56,168
	Income taxes		11,788		8,449		14,999
	Net income		61,338		49,000		41,169
	Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,712		1,945		2,592
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		$	59,626	$	47,055	$	38,577
	Depreciation and amortization		$	38,242	$	31,049	$	25,357
	Capital expenditures		29,667		26,708		17,031

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLAN

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
	We have a 401(k) defined contribution retirement savings plan covering substantially all domestic employees. Each participant may elect to defer a portion of his or her compensation subject to certain limitations. We may contribute up to 50% of the first 5% of compensation contributed to the plan by each employee up to a maximum of $1,750 per annum. Our contributions for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were approximately $3.0 million, $2.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively.
	The Company has several foreign defined contribution plans, which require the Company to contribute a percentage of the participating employee’s salary according to local regulations. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, total contributions made by the Company for these plans were approximately $0.9 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

LEGAL_PROCEEDINGS

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	'
	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
	We operate in a highly regulated industry and must deal with regulatory inquiries or investigations from time to time that may be instituted for a variety of reasons. We are also involved in a variety of civil litigation from time to time.
	As we have previously disclosed, we were served on March 12, 2013 with a class action complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania by an individual plaintiff for itself and on behalf of all other “similarly situated” customers of ours. The complaint alleges, among other things, that we imposed unauthorized or excessive price increases and other charges on our customers in breach of our contracts and in violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. The complaint sought certification of the lawsuit as a class action and the award to class members of appropriate damages and injunctive relief.
	The Pennsylvania class action complaint was filed in the wake of a settlement with the State of New York of an investigation under the New York False Claims Act (which the class action complaint describes at some length). The New York investigation arose out of a qui tam (or “whistle blower”) complaint under the federal False Claims Act and comparable state statutes which was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in April 2008 by a former employee of ours. The complaint was filed on behalf of the United States and 14 states and the District of Columbia. On September 4, 2013, we filed our answer to Plaintiff-Relator’s Second Amended Complaint, generally denying the allegations therein. Also, as previously disclosed, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Virginia and North Carolina have issued civil investigative demands to explore the allegations made on their behalf in the qui tam complaint but have not yet decided whether to join the Illinois action.
	Following the filing of the Pennsylvania class action complaint, we were served with class action complaints filed in federal court in California, Florida, Illinois and Utah and in state court in California. These complaints asserted claims and allegations substantially similar to those made in the Pennsylvania class action complaint. All of these cases appear to be follow-on litigation to our settlement with the State of New York. On August 9, 2013, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) granted our Motion to Transfer these related actions to the Northern District of Illinois for centralized pretrial proceedings. On December 10, 2013, we filed our answer to the Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint in the MDL action, generally denying the allegations therein.
	We believe that we have operated in accordance with the terms of our customer contracts and that these complaints are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against each of these lawsuits.
	On May 28, 2013, we received a notice of violation and order to comply from the State of Utah Division of Air Quality alleging violations of certain conditions of the operating permit for our incineration facility in North Salt Lake relating to emissions and emissions testing at the facility. We have subsequently completed testing, in accordance with protocols approved by the Division of Air Quality, that demonstrates that the facility is currently operating in compliance with applicable emissions standards and our permit conditions. We filed a formal response to the notice of violation on September 27, 2013 and remain in discussions with the Division of Air Quality regarding a resolution of this matter.

SELECTED_QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_D

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)	'
	SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
	The following table summarizes our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations as reported for 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands, except per share data
			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			2013
			2013			2013			2013			2013
	Revenues		$	513,804		$	526,525		$	534,579		$	567,899		$	2,142,807
	Gross profit		232,094			237,852			241,403			253,285			964,634
	Acquisition expenses		(1,803		)	(2,324		)	(2,111		)	(4,037		)	(10,275		)
	Integration expenses		(896		)	(1,383		)	(1,423		)	(2,819		)	(6,521		)
	Change in fair value of contingent consideration		—			122			185			1,971			2,278
	Restructuring costs and plant closure expense		—			(104		)	(364		)	(2,012		)	(2,480		)
	Impairment of intangible assets		—			—			—			(1,405		)	(1,405		)
	Litigation settlement		(106		)	2			(12		)	(2,120		)	(2,236		)
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		74,617			78,044			80,547			78,164			311,372
	* Basic earnings per common share		$	0.87		$	0.91		$	0.94		$	0.91		$	3.62
	* Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.85		$	0.89		$	0.92		$	0.9		$	3.56
	In thousands, except per share data
			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			2012
			2012			2012			2012			2012
	Revenues		$	460,077		$	468,950		$	480,484		$	503,638		$	1,913,149
	Gross profit		205,307			209,488			215,554			226,956			857,305
	Acquisition expenses		(1,539		)	(2,207		)	(2,467		)	(1,707		)	(7,920		)
	Integration expenses		(1,279		)	(1,044		)	(1,217		)	(1,356		)	(4,896		)
	Change in fair value of contingent consideration		(1,204		)	602			11			(161		)	(752		)
	Restructuring costs and plant closure expense		(86		)	(1,064		)	(2,250		)	(1,933		)	(5,333		)
	Litigation settlement		—			—			—			(6,050		)	(6,050		)
	Loss on sale of business		—			—			(4,867		)	—			(4,867		)
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		64,857			67,593			65,477			70,069			267,996
	* Basic earnings per common share		$	0.76		$	0.79		$	0.76		$	0.82		$	3.14
	* Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.75		$	0.78		$	0.75		$	0.8		$	3.08
	*	EPS calculated on a quarterly basis, and, as such, the amounts may not total the calculated full-year EPS.

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of filing our annual report on Form 10-K. No events have occurred that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

SCHEDULE_IIVALUATION_AND_QUALI

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	'
	SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	In thousands
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		Balance Beginning of Period		Charges to Expenses			Other			Write-offs/ Payments			Balance End of Period
								Charges/ (Reversals) (1)
	2011		$	10,845	$	7,079		$	6,807		$	(5,826	)	$	18,905
	2012		$	18,905	$	4,634		$	414		$	(4,510	)	$	19,443
	2013		$	19,443	$	4,823		$	322		$	(5,454	)	$	19,134
	-1	Amounts consist primarily of valuation allowances assumed from acquired companies and currency translation adjustments.
	In thousands
	Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets		Balance Beginning of Period		Additions/ (Deductions) Charged to/ (from) Income Tax Expense			Other			Balance End
								Changes			of Period
								to Reserves (2)
	2011		$	11,973	$	(663	)	$	(7,535	)	$	3,775
	2012		$	3,775	$	—		$	(435	)	$	3,340
	2013		$	3,340	$	(1,451	)	$	(767	)	$	1,122
	-2	Amounts consist primarily of valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets from business combinations.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation:
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stericycle, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition:
	Revenues for our regulated waste management services, other than our compliances services such as Steri-Safe, are recognized at the time of waste collection. Our compliance service revenues are recognized evenly over the contractual service period. Payments received in advance are deferred and recognized as services are provided. Revenues from regulated recall and returns management services and communication solutions are recorded at the time services are performed. Revenues from product sales are recognized at the time the goods are shipped to the ordering customer. Charges related to international value added tax (“VAT”) and other similar pass through taxes are not included as revenue.
Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	'
	Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments:
	We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of less than three months when purchased to be cash equivalents. Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit which mature in less than one year.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization, which include the depreciation of assets recorded under capital leases, are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Building and improvements	5 to 50 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 30 years
	Containers	2 to 20 years
	Vehicles	2 to 7 years
	Office equipment and furniture	2 to 15 years
	Software	2 to 7 years
	Our containers have a weighted average remaining useful life of 12.5 years.
Acquisition Accounting	'
	Acquisition Accounting:
	Acquisition accounting requires us to recognize assets and liabilities at their fair value. The process of determining fair value requires time to complete therefore we will make some estimates at the time of acquisition. These estimates are primarily for amortizable intangibles, and if appropriate, an associated deferred tax liability. These estimates are based on historical experience and allow us to recognize amortization expense until the final valuation is complete.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangibles	'
	Goodwill and Identifiable Intangibles:
	Goodwill and identifiable indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to an annual impairment test. Our finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. We have determined that our customer relationships have useful lives from 14 to 40 years based upon the type of customer, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 25.6 years. We have covenants not-to-compete intangibles with useful lives from 3 to 14 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 3.9 years. We have tradename intangibles with useful lives from 10 to 40 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 15.7 years. We have license agreements with useful life of 5 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 1.9 years. We have determined that our permits have indefinite lives due to our ability to renew these permits with minimal additional cost, and therefore they are not amortized.
	Valuation of our intangible customer relationships and permits is derived using a discounted income and cost savings approach. Financial information such as revenues, costs, assets and liabilities, and other assumptions related to the intangible asset are input into a standard valuation model to determine a stream of income attributable to that intangible. The income stream is then discounted to the present to arrive at a valuation. We perform annual impairment tests on our indefinite lived intangible assets.
Valuation of Intangibles	'
	Valuation of Intangibles:
	Our permits are currently tested for impairment annually at December 31, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. We use a discounted income or cost savings model as the current measurement of the fair value of the permits. The fair value is based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, internal and external processing costs, and an appropriate discount rate determined by management. Our estimates of discounted income may differ from actual income due to, among other things, inaccuracies in economic estimates.
	Amortizable identifiable intangible assets, such as customer relationships, tradenames and covenants not-to-compete, are currently amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. We have determined that our customer relationships have between 14 and 40 year lives based on the specific type of relationship. The valuation of our contractual customer relationships was derived using a discounted income approach valuation model. These assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may be less than its undiscounted estimated future cash flows (see Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Share Repurchases	'
	Share Repurchases:
	Purchase price over par value for share repurchases are allocated to retained earnings.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes:
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable:
	Accounts receivable consist of amounts due to us from our normal business activities and are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Our accounts receivable balance includes amounts related to VAT and similar international pass-through taxes. We do not require collateral as part of our standard trade credit policy. Accounts receivable balances are determined to be past due when the amount is overdue based on the contractual terms with the customer. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect the expected uncollectibility of accounts receivable based on past collection history and specific risks identified among uncollected accounts. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when we have determined that the receivable will not be collected and/or when the account has been referred to a third party collection agency.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments:
	Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and payable and long-term debt. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated at $1.41 billion, compared to a carrying amount of $1.43 billion. This fair value was estimated using market interest rates for comparable instruments. The Company has no current plans to retire a significant amount of its debt prior to maturity. Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of accounts receivable. Credit risk on trade receivables is minimized as a result of the large size of our customer base. No single customer represents greater than approximately 2% of total accounts receivable. We perform ongoing credit evaluation of our customers and maintain allowances for potential credit losses. For any contracts in loss positions, losses are recorded when probable and estimable. These losses, when incurred, have been within the range of our expectations.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates:
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Some areas where we make estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts, credit memo reserve, accrued employee health and welfare benefits, stock compensation expense, income tax liabilities, accrued auto and workers’ compensation insurance claims, and intangible asset valuations. Such estimates are based on historical trends and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
	Future estimated expenses may fluctuate depending on changes in foreign currency rates. The estimates for payments due on long-term debt, lease payments under capital leases, accrued liabilities, contingent consideration liabilities, intangible assets amortization expense, and rental payments are based upon foreign exchange rates as of December 31, 2013.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation:
	We recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to our employees and directors. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires considerable judgment, including estimating expected volatility of our stock, expected term of the award, and the risk-free interest rate. Our stock’s expected volatility is based upon historical experience. The expected term of options granted is based on historical experience. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield rates for a comparable period. If factors change and we employ different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense for new grants may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the past.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Translation:
	Assets and liabilities of foreign affiliates that use the local currency as their functional currency are translated at the exchange rate on the last day of the accounting period, and income statement accounts are translated at the average rates during the period. Related translation adjustments are reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss in Stericycle, Inc's equity.
Environmental Matters	'
	Environmental Matters:
	We record a liability for environmental remediation or damages when such liability becomes probable and the costs or damages can be reasonably estimated. We did not have any environmental liabilities recorded at December 31, 2013, nor are we aware of any issues at our facilities that could necessitate environmental remediation.
New Accounting Standards	'
	New Accounting Standards:
	Accounting Standards Recently Adopted
	Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment
	On January 1, 2013, we adopted guidance allowing a company to perform a qualitative assessment in determining whether an indefinite lived intangible asset is impaired. This new guidance is similar to the previously issued guidance allowing a qualitative assessment when performing annual goodwill impairment testing. The guidance also changes when a company should perform an interim period test for impairment, allowing for positive evidence to offset negative evidence when determining whether an interim impairment test is required. The new guidance does not affect the ultimate outcome of an impairment test; therefore there is no impact on our financial statements. We perform our annual test for impairment for indefinite lived intangibles in the fourth quarter.
	Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
	Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists
	In July of 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. For example, an entity should not evaluate whether the deferred tax asset expires before the statute of limitations on the tax position or whether the deferred tax asset may be used prior to the unrecognized tax benefit being settled. Both prospective and retrospective application may be applied. This guidance becomes effective for us beginning January 1, 2014, at which time we will apply the guidance on a prospective basis. This update affects presentation only.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Estimated Useful Lives of Assets	'
	Depreciation and amortization, which include the depreciation of assets recorded under capital leases, are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Building and improvements	5 to 50 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 30 years
	Containers	2 to 20 years
	Vehicles	2 to 7 years
	Office equipment and furniture	2 to 15 years
	Software	2 to 7 years

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Summary of Location of Acquisitions	'
	The following table summarizes the locations of our acquisitions for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	Acquisition Locations		2013			2012			2011
	United States		13			17			21
	Argentina		3			1			1
	Brazil		2			1			4
	Canada		3			—			2
	Chile		1			3			1
	Ireland		—			—			1
	Japan		3			1			3
	Mexico		1			2			—
	Portugal		2			1			1
	Romania		6			2			6
	Spain		3			8			2
	United Kingdom		12			5			3
	Total		49			41			45
Aggregate Purchase Price Paid for Acquisitions and Other Adjustments to Consideration	'
	The following table summarizes the aggregate purchase price paid for acquisitions and other adjustments of consideration to be paid for acquisitions during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	In thousands
			2013				2012			2011
	Cash		$	161,936			$	224,367		$	469,209
	Promissory notes		64,581				70,670			38,461
	Deferred consideration		31,149				17,681			11,695
	Contingent consideration		4,371				9,190			7,404
	Total purchase price		$	262,037			$	321,908		$	526,769
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation for Current Period Acquisitions and Other Adjustments to Purchase Price Allocations	'
	The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation for current period acquisitions and other adjustments to purchase price allocations during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	In thousands
			2013				2012			2011
	Fixed assets		$	15,582			$	30,426		$	29,897
	Intangibles		92,398				150,149			206,775
	Goodwill		179,795				147,156			342,486
	Net other assets/ (liabilities)		(20		)		23,102			19,996
	Debt		(7,512		)		(4,353		)	(1,240		)
	Net deferred tax liabilities		(13,995		)		(20,186		)	(60,437		)
	Noncontrolling interests		(4,211		)		(4,386		)	(10,708		)
	Total purchase price allocation		$	262,037			$	321,908		$	526,769
Pro Forma Information	'
	The following consolidated pro forma information on the impact of these acquisitions to our consolidated revenues is based on the assumption that these acquisitions all occurred on January 1, 2013 and 2012.
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012
	Revenues	2,240,302			2,010,644

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	In thousands
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		December 31, 2013				Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	61,991			$	61,991	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments	413				413		—		—
	Total assets	$	62,404			$	62,404	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	12,527			$	—	$	—	$	12,527
	Total liabilities	$	12,527			$	—	$	—	$	12,527
	In thousands
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		December 31, 2012				Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	31,324			$	31,324	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments	503				503		—		—
	Total assets	$	31,827			$	31,827	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	18,511			$	—	$	—	$	18,511
	Total liabilities	$	18,511			$	—	$	—	$	18,511
Changes to Contingent Consideration	'
	Changes to contingent consideration are reflected in the table below:
	In thousands
	Contingent consideration at December 31, 2012		$	18,511
	Increases due to acquisitions		4,371
	Increase due to additional ownership of noncontrolling interests		4,006
	Decrease due to payments		(11,068		)
	Changes due to currency fluctuations		(1,015		)
	Changes in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(2,278		)
	Contingent consideration at December 31, 2013		$	12,527

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
United States and International Components of Income Before Income Taxes	'
	The U.S. and International components of income before income taxes consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	In thousands
		2013				2012				2011
	United States	$	407,315			$	357,076			$	307,909
	International	70,431				60,121				64,415
	Total income before income taxes	$	477,746			$	417,197			$	372,324
Significant Components of Income Tax Expense	'
	Significant components of our income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
	In thousands
		2013				2012				2011
	Current
	United States - federal	$	103,751			$	95,864			$	99,481
	United States - state and local	11,683				14,034				10,205
	International	24,486				17,192				11,906
		139,920				127,090				121,592
	Deferred
	United States - federal	31,808				25,028				7,690
	United States - state and local	5,510				3,881				2,589
	International	(10,246		)		(8,743		)		4,879
	International - changes in statutory rates	(2,330		)		—				(1,769		)
		24,742				20,166				13,389
	Total provision	$	164,662			$	147,256			$	134,981
Reconciliation of Income Tax Provision Computed at Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate	'
	A reconciliation of the income tax provision computed at the federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal statutory income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Effect of:
	State and local taxes, net of federal tax effect	2.3	%		2.9	%		2.2	%
	Foreign tax rates	(0.8	)%		(1.2	)%		(1.6	)%
	Other	(2.0	)%		(1.4	)%		0.7	%
	Effective tax rate	34.5	%		35.3	%		36.3	%
Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets	'
	Our deferred tax liabilities and assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	In thousands
		2013				2012
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment	$	(43,280	)		$	(37,112	)
	Goodwill and intangibles	(387,942		)		(357,453		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(431,222		)		(394,565		)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued liabilities	20,415				24,251
	Other	25,625				23,896
	Net operating tax loss carry-forwards	8,097				12,973
	Less: valuation allowances	(1,122		)		(3,340		)
	Total deferred tax assets	53,015				57,780
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(378,207	)		$	(336,785	)
Changes in Unrecognized Tax Positions	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in unrecognized tax positions during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
	Unrecognized tax positions, December 31, 2011	$	10,772
	Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	2,284
	Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	—
	Gross increases - current period tax positions	4,119
	Settlement	—
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(1,071		)
	Unrecognized tax positions, December 31, 2012	$	16,104
	Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	267
	Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	(1,129		)
	Gross increases - current period tax positions	2,514
	Settlement	—
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(2,846		)
	Unrecognized tax positions, December 31, 2013	$	14,910

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Table

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Shares Reserved for Issuance, Consisting both Shares Available for Option Grants and Shares Granted as Options	'
	As of December 31, 2013, we reserved the following shares for issuance, consisting of both shares available for awards under the 2011 Plan, 2008 Plan, 2005 Plan, 2000 Plan, and 1997 Plan and shares issuable under outstanding stock option grants and restricted stock unit awards:
	1996 Directors Plan shares	28,744
	1997 Plan shares	3,384
	2000 Plan shares	135,117
	2005 Plan shares	1,843,929
	2008 Plan shares	3,045,598
	2011 Plan shares	3,000,000
	Total shares reserved	8,056,772
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Resulting from Stock Option Awards, Restricted stock units ("RSU") and ESPP	'
	The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock option awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and the ESPP included in the Consolidated Statements of Income:
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012			2011
	Cost of revenues - stock option plan	$	120			$	136		$	121
	Selling, general and administrative - stock option plan	15,212				13,630			13,428
	Selling, general and administrative - RSUs	1,116				1,474			811
	Selling, general and administrative - ESPP	1,009				1,099			1,007
	Total pre-tax expense	$	17,457			$	16,339		$	15,367
Tax Benefits Related to Stock Compensation	'
	The following table sets forth the tax benefits related to stock compensation:
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012			2011
	Tax benefit recognized in Statement of Income	$	4,518			$	5,818		$	6,091
	Excess tax benefit realized	17,153				30,161			17,410
Stock Option Activity	'
	Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013, is summarized as follows:
		Number of			Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
		Options
	Outstanding at beginning of year	5,543,664			$	61.69
	Granted	1,057,630			97.09
	Exercised	(923,688	)		48.17
	Forfeited	(135,371	)		79.22
	Canceled or expired	(1,753	)		20.6
	Outstanding at end of year	5,540,482			$	70.29
	Exercisable at end of year	2,739,717			$	57.35
	Vested and expected to vest	4,965,902			$	68.16
Intrinsic Value and Fair Value of Options Exercised	'
	The total exercise intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax value (the difference between the sales price on that trading day in the year ended December 31, 2013 and the exercise price associated with the respective option).
	In thousands
		2013				2012			2011
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$	55,757			$	97,816		$	52,939
Information Related to Outstanding and Exercisable Options	'
	The following table sets forth the information related to outstanding and exercisable options for the years ended December 31:
		2013				2012			2011
	Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options (in years)	6.6				6.7			6.5
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options (in thousands)	$	254,200			$	175,200		$	184,300
	Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options (in years)	5.3				5.5			5.3
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options (in thousands)	$	161,100			$	114,500		$	128,900
Options Outstanding and Exercisable by Price Range	'
	Options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2013 by price range are presented below:
		Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price	Shares			Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years		Weighted Average Exercise Price			Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
	$22.110 - $38.565	573,918			2.46		$	33.46		565,918		$	33.5
	$38.905 - $49.760	602,910			4.98		46.79			436,174		46.74
	$50.020 - $51.550	744,346			6.09		51.53			401,501		51.52
	$51.750 - $58.820	563,083			4.57		54.44			550,667		54.43
	$58.900 - $84.910	176,926			7.32		77.06			119,462		78.54
	$85.000 - $85.000	768,426			7.11		85			321,318		85
	$85.020 - $86.020	13,850			8.11		85.5			2,450		85.55
	$86.240 - $86.240	862,195			8.12		86.24			187,983		86.24
	$86.830 - $95.030	211,946			8.08		90.48			115,370		88.85
	$95.870 - $119.190	1,022,882			9.16		97.14			38,874		96.56
	$22.110 - $119.190	5,540,482			6.58		$	70.29		2,739,717		$	57.35
Assumptions used in Black-Scholes Model	'
	The estimated fair value of stock options at the time of the grant using the Black-Scholes model option pricing model was as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012			2011
	Stock options granted (shares)	1,057,630				1,142,205			1,050,226
	Weighted average fair value at grant date	$	22.02			$	20.14		$	21.07
	Expected term (in years)	5.81				6			5.75
	Expected volatility	27.03		%		27.87		%	27.42		%
	Expected dividend yield	—		%		—		%	—		%
	Risk free interest rate	1		%		1.05		%	2.21		%
Intrinsic Value and Fair Value of RSUs	'
	The following table sets forth the information related to RSUs for the years ended December 31:
		2013				2012			2011
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding units (in thousands)	$	8,185			$	6,362		$	2,707
	Per share fair value of units granted	96.4				86.24			85
Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	A summary of the status of our non-vested RSUs and changes during the year 2013 are as follows:
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Non-vested at beginning of year	68,202			$	79.45
	Granted	17,900			96.4
	Vested and released	(12,750	)		51.65
	Forfeited	(2,895	)		90.75
	Non-vested at end of year	70,457			$	88.32
	As of December 31, 2013, there was $3.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.62 years. The fair value of units that vested during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $1.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. No units vested in 2011.

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
	In thousands, except share and per share data
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	311,372	$	267,996	$	234,751
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	85,902,550		85,401,365		85,467,421
	Effect of diluted securities:
	Employee stock options	1,489,438		1,617,108		1,900,291
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	87,391,988		87,018,473		87,367,712
	Earnings per share – Basic	$	3.62	$	3.14	$	2.75
	Earnings per share – Diluted	$	3.56	$	3.08	$	2.69

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Components of Total Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table sets forth the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income for 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	In thousands
		Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss)
	Beginning balance January 1, 2011	$	(14,128	)	$	(2,741	)	$	(16,869	)
	Period change	(29,456		)	341			(29,115		)
	Ending balance December 31, 2011	$	(43,584	)	$	(2,400	)	$	(45,984	)
	Period change	6,292			628			6,920
	Ending balance December 31, 2012	$	(37,292	)	$	(1,772	)	$	(39,064	)
	Period change	(17,718		)	314			(17,404		)
	Ending balance December 31, 2013	$	(55,010	)	$	(1,458	)	$	(56,468	)

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_T

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following items:
	In thousands
		2013			2012
	Land	$	26,818		$	26,198
	Building and improvements	113,740			106,388
	Machinery and equipment	214,324			200,805
	Vehicles	46,579			39,468
	Containers	145,273			132,094
	Office equipment and furniture	68,005			56,515
	Software	25,676			19,495
	Construction in progress	41,583			30,925
	Total property, plant & equipment	681,998			611,888
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(323,031		)	(276,018		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	358,967		$	335,870

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill since December 31, 2011, by reportable segment, were as follows:
	In thousands
			United States				International				Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2011		$	1,506,416			$	407,287			$	1,913,703
	Goodwill acquired during year		114,931				62,145				177,076
	Goodwill allocation adjustments		(5,061		)		(24,859		)		(29,920		)
	Sale of business		—				(1,178		)		(1,178		)
	Changes due to currency fluctuation		—				5,422				5,422
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		1,616,286				448,817				2,065,103
	Goodwill acquired during year		57,250				116,534				173,784
	Goodwill allocation adjustments		4,541				1,470				6,011
	Changes due to currency fluctuation		—				(13,316		)		(13,316		)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	1,678,077			$	553,505			$	2,231,582
Values of Intangible Assets	'
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 the values of other intangible assets were as follows:
	In thousands
		2013												2012
		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying				Amortization				Value				Carrying		Amortization		Value
		Amount												Amount
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Covenants not-to-compete	$	9,405			$	5,366			$	4,039			$	10,993	$	5,843	$	5,150
	Customer relationships	670,889				81,271				589,618				602,095		57,236		544,859
	Tradenames	5,283				1,031				4,252				4,922		712		4,210
	License agreements	611				416				195				720		420		300
	Other	91				14				77				89		4		85
	Indefinite lived intangibles:
	Operating permits	116,054				—				116,054				112,867		—		112,867
	Tradenames	5,800				—				5,800				—		—		—
	Total	$	808,133			$	88,098			$	720,035			$	731,686	$	64,215	$	667,471
Estimated Amortization Expense	'
	The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years, assuming no additional amortizable intangible assets, is as follows for the years ended December 31:
	In thousands
	2014		$	29,087
	2015		28,895
	2016		28,548
	2017		28,402
	2018		28,072

ACCRUED_LIABILITIES_Tables

ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following items:
	In thousands
		2013		2012
	Accrued compensation	$	36,210	$	38,801
	Accrued insurance	29,363		31,146
	Accrued taxes	19,538		11,870
	Accrued interest	8,593		9,045
	Accrued professional services	3,097		6,930
	Others	10,644		18,200
	Total accrued liabilities	$	107,445	$	115,992

DEBT_Tables

DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
	In thousands
		2013			2012
	Obligations under capital leases	$	7,343		$	5,234
	$1 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 1.60%, due in 2016	272,358			225,931
	$100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015	100,000			100,000
	$175 million private placement notes 3.89%, due in 2017	175,000			175,000
	$125 million private placement notes 2.68%, due in 2019	125,000			125,000
	$225 million private placement notes 4.47%, due in 2020	225,000			225,000
	$125 million private placement notes 3.26%, due in 2022	125,000			125,000
	Acquisition notes weighted average rate of 2.26% and weighted average maturity of 3.6 years	252,195			235,856
	Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 8.37% and weighted average maturity of 1.6 years	149,147			139,063
	Total debt	1,431,043			1,356,084
	Less: current portion of total debt	150,380			87,781
	Long-term portion of total debt	$	1,280,663		$	1,268,303
Payments due on Long-Term Debt, Excluding Capital Lease Obligations	'
	Payments due on long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, during each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 are as follows:
	In thousands
	2014	$	146,908
	2015	211,744
	2016	344,556
	2017	204,971
	2018	20,688
	Thereafter	494,833
		$	1,423,700
Property under Capital Leases Included with Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property under capital leases included with property, plant and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets is as follows at December 31:
	In thousands
		2013			2012
	Land	$	198		$	190
	Buildings	550			528
	Machinery and equipment	2,262			2,451
	Vehicles	10,530			7,377
	Office equipment and furniture	—			123
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(3,905		)	(4,059		)
		$	9,635		$	6,610
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	Minimum future lease payments under capital leases are as follows:
	In thousands
	2014	$	3,991
	2015	2,448
	2016	1,073
	2017	374
	2018	40
	Thereafter	389
	Total minimum lease payments	8,315
	Less: amounts representing interest	(972		)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments	7,343
	Less: current portion included in other current liabilities	(3,472		)
	Long-term obligations under capital leases	$	3,871

LEASE_COMMITMENTS_Tables

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Minimum Future Rental Payments under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	'
	Minimum future rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2013 for each of the next five years and in the aggregate are as follows:
	In thousands
	2014	$	66,289
	2015	56,509
	2016	46,027
	2017	37,411
	2018	26,059
	Thereafter	40,419
		$	272,714

PRODUCTS_AND_SERVICES_AND_GEOG1

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	'
	Summary information for our reportable segments is as follows:
	In thousands
		2013		2012		2011
	Revenues:
	United States	$	1,506,587	$	1,370,806	$	1,212,111
	Europe	341,387		301,615		252,620
	Other international countries	294,833		240,728		211,317
	Total International	636,220		542,343		463,937
	Total	$	2,142,807	$	1,913,149	$	1,676,048
	Income before income taxes:
	United States	$	404,620	$	359,748	$	316,156
	International	73,126		57,449		56,168
	Total	$	477,746	$	417,197	$	372,324
	Total assets:
	United States	$	2,537,611	$	2,427,297	$	2,208,152
	International	1,345,186		1,119,441		968,938
	Total	$	3,882,797	$	3,546,738	$	3,177,090
	Property, Plant and Equipment, net:
	United States	$	214,810	$	207,387	$	197,118
	Europe	74,915		64,690		52,604
	Other international countries	69,242		63,793		44,190
	Total International	144,157		128,483		96,794
	Total	$	358,967	$	335,870	$	293,912
Detailed Information for Reporting Segment	'
	Detailed information for our United States reportable segment is as follows:
	In thousands
		2013		2012		2011
	Regulated and compliance services	$	1,408,812	$	1,254,486	$	1,094,928
	Recall and returns services	97,775		116,320		117,183
	Total revenue	$	1,506,587	$	1,370,806	$	1,212,111
	Net interest expense	43,131		41,084		40,048
	Income before income taxes	404,620		359,748		316,156
	Income taxes	152,874		138,807		119,982
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	251,746	$	220,941	$	196,174
	Depreciation and amortization	$	50,166	$	45,234	$	40,689
	Capital expenditures	43,442		38,528		36,270
	Detailed information for our International reportable segment is as follows:
	In thousands
		2013		2012		2011
	Regulated and compliance services	$	636,220	$	542,343	$	463,937
	Net interest expense	11,818		10,186		8,584
	Income before income taxes	73,126		57,449		56,168
	Income taxes	11,788		8,449		14,999
	Net income	61,338		49,000		41,169
	Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,712		1,945		2,592
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	59,626	$	47,055	$	38,577
	Depreciation and amortization	$	38,242	$	31,049	$	25,357
	Capital expenditures	29,667		26,708		17,031

SELECTED_QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_D1

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Unaudited Consolidated Quarterly Results of Operations	'
	The following table summarizes our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations as reported for 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands, except per share data
			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			2013
			2013			2013			2013			2013
	Revenues		$	513,804		$	526,525		$	534,579		$	567,899		$	2,142,807
	Gross profit		232,094			237,852			241,403			253,285			964,634
	Acquisition expenses		(1,803		)	(2,324		)	(2,111		)	(4,037		)	(10,275		)
	Integration expenses		(896		)	(1,383		)	(1,423		)	(2,819		)	(6,521		)
	Change in fair value of contingent consideration		—			122			185			1,971			2,278
	Restructuring costs and plant closure expense		—			(104		)	(364		)	(2,012		)	(2,480		)
	Impairment of intangible assets		—			—			—			(1,405		)	(1,405		)
	Litigation settlement		(106		)	2			(12		)	(2,120		)	(2,236		)
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		74,617			78,044			80,547			78,164			311,372
	* Basic earnings per common share		$	0.87		$	0.91		$	0.94		$	0.91		$	3.62
	* Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.85		$	0.89		$	0.92		$	0.9		$	3.56
	In thousands, except per share data
			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			2012
			2012			2012			2012			2012
	Revenues		$	460,077		$	468,950		$	480,484		$	503,638		$	1,913,149
	Gross profit		205,307			209,488			215,554			226,956			857,305
	Acquisition expenses		(1,539		)	(2,207		)	(2,467		)	(1,707		)	(7,920		)
	Integration expenses		(1,279		)	(1,044		)	(1,217		)	(1,356		)	(4,896		)
	Change in fair value of contingent consideration		(1,204		)	602			11			(161		)	(752		)
	Restructuring costs and plant closure expense		(86		)	(1,064		)	(2,250		)	(1,933		)	(5,333		)
	Litigation settlement		—			—			—			(6,050		)	(6,050		)
	Loss on sale of business		—			—			(4,867		)	—			(4,867		)
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		64,857			67,593			65,477			70,069			267,996
	* Basic earnings per common share		$	0.76		$	0.79		$	0.76		$	0.82		$	3.14
	* Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.75		$	0.78		$	0.75		$	0.8		$	3.08
	*	EPS calculated on a quarterly basis, and, as such, the amounts may not total the calculated full-year EPS.

DESCRIPTION_OF_BUSINESS_Detail

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	Customer
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of customers - over	566,000
Domestic/United States [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of employees	8,376
International [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of employees	6,548
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements [Member] | Domestic/United States [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of employees	424
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements [Member] | International [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of employees	1,940
Processing Facilities [Member] | Domestic/United States [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of processing facilities	61
Processing Facilities [Member] | International [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of processing facilities	105
Transfer and Collection Sites [Member] | Domestic/United States [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of sites	97
Transfer and Collection Sites [Member] | International [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of sites	58
Sales and Administrative Sites [Member] | Domestic/United States [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of sites	10
Sales and Administrative Sites [Member] | International [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of sites	34
Other Service Facilities [Member] | Domestic/United States [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of service facilities	52
Other Service Facilities [Member] | International [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of service facilities	18
Landfill [Member] | International [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Number of leased sites	2

DESCRIPTION_OF_BUSINESS_Reclas

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS - Reclassifications (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassified from accrued liabilities	($107,445)	($115,992)	'
Reclassified to other current liabilities	45,211	28,306	'
Reclassified from changes in accrued liabilities	4,547	24,537	36,289
Reclassified to changes in other assets and liabilities	21,170	3,527	-18,469
Reclassified to accounts payable	89,146	80,886	'
Reclassified to changes in accounts payable	7	406	-9,132
Reclassified from investing activities to financing activities related to purchases of additional noncontrolling interests	1,026	5,897	10,986
Restatement Adjustment [Member] | Reclassifications, Product Reimbursement Liabilities [Member]	'	'	'
Reclassified from accrued liabilities	'	12,700	'
Reclassified to other current liabilities	'	12,700	'
Reclassified from changes in accrued liabilities	'	1,200	18,000
Reclassified to changes in other assets and liabilities	'	1,200	18,000
Restatement Adjustment [Member] | Reclassifications, Other [Member]	'	'	'
Reclassified from accrued liabilities	'	6,700	'
Reclassified from changes in accrued liabilities	'	500	3,400
Reclassified to accounts payable	'	6,700	'
Reclassified to changes in accounts payable	'	500	3,400
Reclassified from investing activities to financing activities related to purchases of additional noncontrolling interests	'	$5,300	$10,500

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Bad debt expense	$4,800,000	$4,600,000	$7,100,000
Debt obligations, fair value	1,410,000,000	'	'
Debt obligations, carrying amount	$1,431,043,000	$1,356,084,000	'
Containers [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, weighted average remaining useful life	'12 years 6 months	'	'
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	'25 years 6 months 22 days	'	'
Covenants not-to-compete [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	'3 years 10 months 10 days	'	'
Tradenames [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	'15 years 8 months 12 days	'	'
License agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	'1 year 10 months 13 days	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Building and improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'5 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'3 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Containers [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Vehicles [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Office equipment and furniture [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Software [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'14 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Covenants not-to-compete [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'3 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Tradenames [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'10 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | License agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'5 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Building and improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'50 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'30 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Containers [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'20 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Vehicles [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'7 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Office equipment and furniture [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'15 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Software [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	'7 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'40 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Covenants not-to-compete [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'14 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Tradenames [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'40 years	'	'
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer concentration risk percentage, no more than	2.00%	'	'

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_1

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Summary of Acquisition Location (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Entity	Entity	Entity
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	49	41	45
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	13	17	21
Argentina [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	3	1	1
Brazil [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	2	1	4
Canada [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	3	0	2
Chile [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	1	3	1
Ireland [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	0	0	1
Japan [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	3	1	3
Mexico [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	1	2	0
Portugal [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	2	1	1
Romania [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	6	2	6
Spain [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	3	8	2
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	12	5	3

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_2

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Aggregate Purchase Price Paid for Acquisitions and Other Adjustments to Consideration (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash	$161,936	$224,367	$469,209
Promissory notes	64,581	70,670	38,461
Deferred consideration	31,149	17,681	11,695
Contingent consideration	4,371	9,190	7,404
Total purchase price	$262,037	$321,908	$526,769

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_3

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation and Other Adjustments to Purchase Price Allocations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$2,231,582	$2,065,103	$1,913,703
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fixed assets	15,582	30,426	29,897
Intangibles	92,398	150,149	206,775
Goodwill	179,795	147,156	342,486
Net other assets/ (liabilities)	-20	23,102	19,996
Debt	-7,512	-4,353	-1,240
Net deferred tax liabilities	-13,995	-20,186	-60,437
Noncontrolling interests	-4,211	-4,386	-10,708
Total purchase price allocation	$262,037	$321,908	$526,769

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_4

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Pro Forma Information (Details) (Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	$2,240,302	$2,010,644

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_5

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
									Entity	Entity	Entity
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	49	41	45
Net increase in goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$179,800,000	'	'
Tax deductible goodwill amount	84,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	84,600,000	'	'
Acquisition related expenses	4,037,000	2,111,000	2,324,000	1,803,000	1,707,000	2,467,000	2,207,000	1,539,000	10,275,000	7,920,000	16,700,000
Customer relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'14 years	'	'
Customer relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'40 years	'	'
Tradenames [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'10 years	'	'
Tradenames [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'40 years	'	'
Non-competes [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Non-competes [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'14 years	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net increase in intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	92,400,000	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Permits [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net increase in intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,900,000	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Tradenames [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net increase in intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,800,000	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net increase in intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	77,900,000	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Customer relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'15 years	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Customer relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'40 years	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Tradenames [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net increase in intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	300,000	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Tradenames [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'10 years	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Tradenames [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'20 years	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Non-competes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net increase in intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	500,000	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Non-competes [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'3 years	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Non-competes [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible asset, useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated impact to revenues of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,800,000	'	'
Estimated annualized revenues from acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	154,300,000	'	'
Argentina [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	1	1
Brazil [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	1	4
Canada [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	0	2
Chile [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	3	1
Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	1	3
Mexico [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	2	0
Portugal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	1	1
Romania [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6	2	6
Spain [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	8	2
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12	5	3
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13	'	'
Net increase in goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	61,800,000	'	'
United States [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11	'	'
United States [Member] | Communication Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	36	'	'
Net increase in goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$118,000,000	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Argentina [Member] | Acquisition One [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Argentina [Member] | Acquisition Two [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Brazil [Member] | Acquisition One [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Brazil [Member] | Acquisition Two [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	70.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	70.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Canada [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Chile [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Mexico [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	51.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	51.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Portugal [Member] | Acquisition One [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Portugal [Member] | Acquisition Two [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Romania [Member] | Acquisition One [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Romania [Member] | Acquisition Two [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Spain [Member] | Acquisition One [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | Spain [Member] | Acquisition Two [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | United Kingdom [Member] | Acquisition One [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Services [Member] | United Kingdom [Member] | Acquisition Two [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
International [Member] | Communication Solutions [Member] | Canada [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
International [Member] | Communication Solutions [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
International [Member] | Regulated Recall and Returns Services [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Fair_V

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fair Value Measurements (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$61,991	$31,324
Short-term investments	413	503
Total assets	62,404	31,827
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration	12,527	18,511
Total liabilities	12,527	18,511
Level 1 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	61,991	31,324
Short-term investments	413	503
Total assets	62,404	31,827
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 2 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 3 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration	12,527	18,511
Total liabilities	$12,527	$18,511

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Change

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Changes to Contingent Consideration (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contingent consideration at December 31, 2012	'	'	'	$18,511	'	'	'	'	$18,511	'	'
Increases due to acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,371	'	'
Increase due to additional ownership of noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,006	'	'
Decrease due to payments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-11,068	'	'
Changes due to currency fluctuations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,015	'	'
Changes in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses	-1,971	-185	-122	0	161	-11	-602	1,204	-2,278	752	-7,221
Contingent consideration at December 31, 2013	$12,527	'	'	'	$18,511	'	'	'	$12,527	$18,511	'

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Additi

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Contingent consideration liabilities	$12,527,000	$18,511,000
Debt obligations, carrying amount	1,431,043,000	1,356,084,000
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum contingent liability if financial performance measures were fully met	16,000,000	'
Level 3 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Contingent consideration liabilities	12,527,000	18,511,000
Level 2 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Contingent consideration liabilities	0	0
Debt obligations, fair value	1,410,000,000	1,390,000,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Contingent consideration liabilities	$9,200,000	'

INCOME_TAXES_United_States_and

INCOME TAXES - United States and International Components of Income before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
United States	$407,315	$357,076	$307,909
International	70,431	60,121	64,415
Income Before Income Taxes	$477,746	$417,197	$372,324

INCOME_TAXES_Significant_Compo

INCOME TAXES - Significant Components of Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current	'	'	'
United States - federal	$103,751	$95,864	$99,481
United States - state and local	11,683	14,034	10,205
International	24,486	17,192	11,906
Current income tax expense	139,920	127,090	121,592
Deferred	'	'	'
United States - federal	31,808	25,028	7,690
United States - state and local	5,510	3,881	2,589
International	-10,246	-8,743	4,879
International - changes in statutory rates	-2,330	0	-1,769
Deferred income tax expense	24,742	20,166	13,389
Total provision	$164,662	$147,256	$134,981

INCOME_TAXES_Reconciliation_of

INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Income Tax Provision Computed at Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal statutory income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of federal tax effect	2.30%	2.90%	2.20%
Foreign tax rates	-0.80%	-1.20%	-1.60%
Other	-2.00%	-1.40%	0.70%
Effective tax rate	34.50%	35.30%	36.30%

INCOME_TAXES_Deferred_Tax_Liab

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment	($43,280)	($37,112)
Goodwill and intangibles	-387,942	-357,453
Total deferred tax liabilities	-431,222	-394,565
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Accrued liabilities	20,415	24,251
Other	25,625	23,896
Net operating tax loss carry-forwards	8,097	12,973
Less: valuation allowances	-1,122	-3,340
Total deferred tax assets	53,015	57,780
Net deferred tax liabilities	($378,207)	($336,785)

INCOME_TAXES_Summary_of_Change

INCOME TAXES - Summary of Changes in Unrecognized Tax Positions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Change in Unrecognized Tax Positions [Roll Forward]	'	'
Unrecognized tax positions, beginning of year	$16,104	$10,772
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	267	2,284
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	-1,129	0
Gross increases - current period tax positions	2,514	4,119
Settlement	0	0
Lapse of statute of limitations	-2,846	-1,071
Unrecognized tax positions, end of year	$14,910	$16,104

INCOME_TAXES_Additional_Inform

INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash payments for income taxes	$102,100,000	$104,700,000	$76,600,000
Net operating loss carry-forwards	21,800,000	'	'
Tax benefit of net operating losses	8,097,000	12,973,000	'
Valuation allowance for net operating losses	1,122,000	3,340,000	'
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	372,700,000	'	'
Unrecognized tax positions	14,910,000	16,104,000	10,772,000
Unrecognized tax positions that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	14,900,000	'	'
Interest and penalties recognized related to income tax reserves	$400,000	$300,000	'

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Share

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Shares Reserved for Issuance, Consisting of Both Shares Available For Awards and Shares Issuable Under Outstanding Stock Option (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total shares reserved	8,056,772
1996 Directors Plan shares [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total shares reserved	28,744
1997 Plan shares [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total shares reserved	3,384
2000 Plan shares [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total shares reserved	135,117
2005 Plan shares [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total shares reserved	1,843,929
2008 Plan shares [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total shares reserved	3,045,598
2011 Plan shares [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Total shares reserved	3,000,000

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Expen

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Expense Resulting from Stock Option Awards and ESPP (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$17,457	$16,339	$15,367
Stock Options [Member] | Cost of revenues [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	120	136	121
Stock Options [Member] | Selling, general and administrative [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	15,212	13,630	13,428
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Selling, general and administrative [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,116	1,474	811
ESPP shares [Member] | Selling, general and administrative [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,009	$1,099	$1,007

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Tax_B

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Tax Benefits Related to Stock Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Tax benefit recognized in Statement of Income	$4,518	$5,818	$6,091
Excess tax benefit realized	$17,153	$30,161	$17,410

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Stock

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Number of Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Outstanding at beginning of year	5,543,664	'	'
Granted	1,057,630	1,142,205	1,050,226
Exercised	-923,688	'	'
Forfeited	-135,371	'	'
Canceled or expired	-1,753	'	'
Outstanding at end of year	5,540,482	5,543,664	'
Exercisable at end of year	2,739,717	'	'
Vested and expected to vest	4,965,902	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Outstanding at beginning of year	$61.69	'	'
Granted	$97.09	'	'
Exercised	$48.17	'	'
Forfeited	$79.22	'	'
Canceled or expired	$20.60	'	'
Outstanding at end of year	$70.29	$61.69	'
Exercisable at end of year	$57.35	'	'
Vested and expected to vest	$68.16	'	'

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Intri

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Intrinsic Value and Fair Value of Options Exercised (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$55,757	$97,816	$52,939

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Outst

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Outstanding and Exercisable Options (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options	'6 years 7 months 6 days	'6 years 8 months 12 days	'6 years 6 months
Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options	$254,200	$175,200	$184,300
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options	'5 years 3 months 18 days	'5 years 6 months	'5 years 3 months 18 days
Total aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options	$161,100	$114,500	$128,900

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Optio

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Options Outstanding and Exercisable by Price Range (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	5,540,482	5,543,664	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'6 years 7 months 6 days	'6 years 8 months 12 days	'6 years 6 months
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$70.29	$61.69	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	2,739,717	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$57.35	'	'
$22.110 - $38.565 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$22.11	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$38.56	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	573,918	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'2 years 5 months 16 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$33.46	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	565,918	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$33.50	'	'
$38.905 - $49.760 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$38.91	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$49.76	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	602,910	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'4 years 11 months 23 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$46.79	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	436,174	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$46.74	'	'
$50.020 - $51.550 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$50.02	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$51.55	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	744,346	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'6 years 1 month 2 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$51.53	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	401,501	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$51.52	'	'
$51.750 - $58.820 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$51.75	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$58.82	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	563,083	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'4 years 6 months 26 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$54.44	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	550,667	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$54.43	'	'
$58.900 - $84.910 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$58.90	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$84.91	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	176,926	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'7 years 3 months 26 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$77.06	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	119,462	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$78.54	'	'
$85.000 - $85.000 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$85	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$85	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	768,426	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'7 years 1 month 10 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$85	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	321,318	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$85	'	'
$85.020 - $86.020 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$85.02	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$86.02	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	13,850	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'8 years 1 month 10 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$85.50	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	2,450	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$85.55	'	'
$86.240 - $86.240 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$86.24	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$86.24	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	862,195	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'8 years 1 month 13 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$86.24	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	187,983	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$86.24	'	'
$86.830 - $95.030 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$86.83	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$95.03	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	211,946	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'8 years 0 months 29 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$90.48	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	115,370	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$88.85	'	'
$95.870 - $119.190 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$95.87	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$119.19	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	1,022,882	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'9 years 1 month 28 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$97.14	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	38,874	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$96.56	'	'
$22.110 - $119.190 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of exercise prices, lower limit	$22.11	'	'
Range of exercise prices, upper limit	$119.19	'	'
Options Outstanding, Shares	5,540,482	'	'
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life in Years	'6 years 6 months 29 days	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$70.29	'	'
Options Exercisable, Shares	2,739,717	'	'
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$57.35	'	'

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Assum

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Assumptions used in Black-Scholes Model (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Stock options granted (shares)	1,057,630	1,142,205	1,050,226
Weighted average fair value at grant date	$22.02	$20.14	$21.07
Expected term (in years)	'5 years 9 months 22 days	'6 years	'5 years 9 months
Expected volatility	27.03%	27.87%	27.42%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk free interest rate	1.00%	1.05%	2.21%

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Restr

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Restricted Stock Units Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding units (in thousands)	$8,185	$6,362	$2,707
Per share fair value of units granted	$96.40	$86.24	$85
Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Non-vested at beginning of year	68,202	'	'
Granted	17,900	'	'
Vested and released	-12,750	'	'
Forfeited	-2,895	'	'
Non-vested at end of year	70,457	68,202	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Non-vested at beginning of year	$79.45	'	'
Granted	$96.40	$86.24	$85
Vested and released	$51.65	'	'
Forfeited	$90.75	'	'
Non-vested at end of year	$88.32	$79.45	'

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Addit

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum term of an option granted under any plan (in years)	'10 years	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expenses related to non-vested option awards	27,200,000	'	'
Weighted average period of recognition for unrecognized compensation expenses	'1 year 5 months 27 days	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average period of recognition for unrecognized compensation expenses	'2 years 7 months 13 days	'	'
Ratio of share reserve related to RSUs granted	2	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expenses related to RSUs	3,600,000	'	'
Fair value of units vested	1,200,000	400,000	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Award vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Award vesting period	'5 years	'	'
Director [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Award vesting period	'1 year	'	'
Officers and Employees [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Award vesting period	'5 years	'	'
2011 Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Awards authorized	3,000,000	'	'
2008 Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Awards authorized	3,500,000	'	'
2005 Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Awards authorized	4,800,000	'	'
2000 Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Awards authorized	7,000,000	'	'
1997 Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Awards authorized	6,000,000	'	'
Directors Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Awards authorized	2,340,000	'	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Awards authorized	900,000	'	'
Percentage of discount to market price	85.00%	'	'
Term of offering period	'6 months	'	'
Maximum payroll deductions during the offering period, per employee	5,000	'	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member] | ESPP shares [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock issued during period (in shares)	52,956	56,362	53,213

PREFERRED_STOCK_Detail

PREFERRED STOCK (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Comp

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Numerator:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.

$78,164

$80,547

$78,044

$74,617

$70,069

$65,477

$67,593

$64,857

$311,372

$267,996

$234,751

Denominator:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85,902,550

85,401,365

85,467,421

Effect of diluted securities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee stock options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,489,438

1,617,108

1,900,291

Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

87,391,988

87,018,473

87,367,712

Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)

$0.91

[1]

$0.94

[1]

$0.91

[1]

$0.87

[1]

$0.82

[1]

$0.76

[1]

$0.79

[1]

$0.76

[1]

$3.62

[1]

$3.14

[1]

$2.75

Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)

$0.90

[1]

$0.92

[1]

$0.89

[1]

$0.85

[1]

$0.80

[1]

$0.75

[1]

$0.78

[1]

$0.75

[1]

$3.56

[1]

$3.08

[1]

$2.69

[1]

EPS calculated on a quarterly basis, and, as such, the amounts may not total the calculated full-year EPS.

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Addi

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Detail) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Options to purchase shares, not included in computation of diluted earnings per share	846,808	1,049,707	879,266
Options to purchase shares, not included in computation of diluted earnings per share, exercise price range minimum	$94.76	$77.49	$77
Options to purchase shares, not included in computation of diluted earnings per share, exercise price range maximum	$119.19	$94.76	$94.24

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Components of Total Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) loss, beginning balance	($39,064)	($45,984)	($16,869)
Period change	-17,404	6,920	-29,115
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-56,468	-39,064	-45,984
Currency Translation Adjustments	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) loss, beginning balance	-37,292	-43,584	-14,128
Period change	-17,718	6,292	-29,456
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-55,010	-37,292	-43,584
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) loss, beginning balance	-1,772	-2,400	-2,741
Period change	314	628	341
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	($1,458)	($1,772)	($2,400)

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Tax impact of unrealized loss on cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income	$0.20	$0.40	$0.20

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_D

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	$681,998	$611,888	'
Less: accumulated depreciation	-323,031	-276,018	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	358,967	335,870	293,912
Land [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	26,818	26,198	'
Building and improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	113,740	106,388	'
Machinery and equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	214,324	200,805	'
Vehicles [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	46,579	39,468	'
Containers [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	145,273	132,094	'
Office equipment and furniture [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	68,005	56,515	'
Software [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	25,676	19,495	'
Construction in progress [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant & equipment	$41,583	$30,925	'

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$2,065,103	$1,913,703
Goodwill acquired during year	173,784	177,076
Goodwill allocation adjustments	6,011	-29,920
Sale of business	'	-1,178
Changes due to currency fluctuation	-13,316	5,422
Ending Balance	2,231,582	2,065,103
United States [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning Balance	1,616,286	1,506,416
Goodwill acquired during year	57,250	114,931
Goodwill allocation adjustments	4,541	-5,061
Sale of business	'	0
Changes due to currency fluctuation	0	0
Ending Balance	1,678,077	1,616,286
International [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning Balance	448,817	407,287
Goodwill acquired during year	116,534	62,145
Goodwill allocation adjustments	1,470	-24,859
Sale of business	'	-1,178
Changes due to currency fluctuation	-13,316	5,422
Ending Balance	$553,505	$448,817

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Values of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$808,133	$731,686
Accumulated Amortization	88,098	64,215
Net Value	720,035	667,471
Amortizable intangibles | Covenants not-to-compete [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	9,405	10,993
Accumulated Amortization	5,366	5,843
Net Value	4,039	5,150
Amortizable intangibles | Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	670,889	602,095
Accumulated Amortization	81,271	57,236
Net Value	589,618	544,859
Amortizable intangibles | Tradenames [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	5,283	4,922
Accumulated Amortization	1,031	712
Net Value	4,252	4,210
Amortizable intangibles | License agreements [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	611	720
Accumulated Amortization	416	420
Net Value	195	300
Amortizable intangibles | Other [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	91	89
Accumulated Amortization	14	4
Net Value	77	85
Indefinite lived intangibles | Operating permits [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	116,054	112,867
Net Value	116,054	112,867
Indefinite lived intangibles | Tradenames [Member]	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	5,800	0
Net Value	$5,800	$0

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$29,087
2015	28,895
2016	28,548
2017	28,402
2018	$28,072

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
					Segment
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of geographical reporting segments	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Write off of permit intangibles	'	'	'	'	$2,900,000	$1,700,000	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	1,405,000	0	0	0	1,405,000	'	'
Aggregate amortization expense	'	'	'	'	27,067,000	22,054,000	16,269,000
Covenants not-to-compete [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'3 years 10 months 10 days	'	'
Covenants not-to-compete [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Covenants not-to-compete [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'	'	'14 years	'	'
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	'	'	'	'	$400,000	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'25 years 6 months 22 days	'	'
Customer relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'	'	'14 years	'	'
Customer relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'	'	'40 years	'	'
Tradenames [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'15 years 8 months 12 days	'	'
Tradenames [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'	'	'10 years	'	'
Tradenames [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'	'	'40 years	'	'
License agreements [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	'	'	'	'	'1 year 10 months 13 days	'	'
License agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Market Approach Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment test, fair value exceeding book value, percentage	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'
Income Approach Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment test, fair value exceeding book value, percentage	'	'	100.00%	'	'	'	'

ACCRUED_LIABILITIES_Detail

ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued compensation	$36,210	$38,801
Accrued insurance	29,363	31,146
Accrued taxes	19,538	11,870
Accrued interest	8,593	9,045
Accrued professional services	3,097	6,930
Others	10,644	18,200
Total accrued liabilities	$107,445	$115,992

DEBT_Schedule_of_LongTerm_Debt

DEBT - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$1,431,043,000	$1,356,084,000
Less: current portion of total debt	150,380,000	87,781,000
Long-term portion of total debt	1,280,663,000	1,268,303,000
Obligations under capital leases [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	7,343,000	5,234,000
$1 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate1.60%, due in 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	272,358,000	225,931,000
$100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	100,000,000	100,000,000
$175 million private placement notes 3.89%, due in 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	175,000,000	175,000,000
$125 million private placement notes 2.68%, due in 2019 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	125,000,000	125,000,000
$225 million private placement notes 4.47%, due in 2020 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	225,000,000	225,000,000
$125 million private placement notes 3.26%, due in 2022 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	125,000,000	125,000,000
Acquisition notes weighted average rate of 2.26% and weighted average maturity of 3.6 years [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	252,195,000	235,856,000
Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 8.37% and weighted average maturity of 1.6 years [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$149,147,000	$139,063,000

DEBT_Schedule_of_LongTerm_Debt1

DEBT - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
$1 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate1.60%, due in 2016 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	1,000,000,000
Weighted average interest rate	1.60%
$100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Long-term debt, face amount	100,000,000
Stated interest rate	5.64%
$175 million private placement notes 3.89%, due in 2017 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Long-term debt, face amount	175,000,000
Stated interest rate	3.89%
$125 million private placement notes 2.68%, due in 2019 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Long-term debt, face amount	125,000,000
Stated interest rate	2.68%
$225 million private placement notes 4.47%, due in 2020 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Long-term debt, face amount	225,000,000
Stated interest rate	4.47%
$125 million private placement notes 3.26%, due in 2022 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Long-term debt, face amount	125,000,000
Stated interest rate	3.26%
Acquisition notes weighted average rate of 2.26% and weighted average maturity of 3.6 years [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Weighted average interest rate	2.26%
Weighted average maturity	'3 years 7 months 6 days
Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 8.37% and weighted average maturity of 1.6 years [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Weighted average interest rate	8.37%
Weighted average maturity	'1 year 7 months 6 days

DEBT_Payments_Due_on_LongTerm_

DEBT - Payments Due on Long-Term Debt, Excluding Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$146,908
2015	211,744
2016	344,556
2017	204,971
2018	20,688
Thereafter	494,833
Long-term Debt	$1,423,700

DEBT_Property_under_Capital_Le

DEBT - Property under Capital Leases Included with Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Less: accumulated depreciation	($3,905)	($4,059)
Capital leased assets, net	9,635	6,610
Land	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Capital leased assets	198	190
Buildings	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Capital leased assets	550	528
Machinery and equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Capital leased assets	2,262	2,451
Vehicles	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Capital leased assets	10,530	7,377
Office equipment and furniture	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Capital leased assets	$0	$123

DEBT_Minimum_Future_Lease_Paym

DEBT - Minimum Future Lease Payments under Capital Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$3,991
2015	2,448
2016	1,073
2017	374
2018	40
Thereafter	389
Total minimum lease payments	8,315
Less: amounts representing interest	-972
Present value of net minimum lease payments	7,343
Less: current portion included in other current liabilities	-3,472
Long-term obligations under capital leases	$3,871

DEBT_Additional_Information_De

DEBT - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest paid	$51,000,000	$47,500,000	$43,500,000
Guaranteed loan, loan balance	4,700,000	'	'
Other Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loan receivable	15,500,000	'	'
$1 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate1.60%, due in 2016 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	1,000,000,000	'	'
Senior letters of credit facility, committed to outstanding letters of credit	155,000,000	157,600,000	'
Senior letters of credit facility, unused portion	572,600,000	616,500,000	'
$100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt, face amount	100,000,000	'	'
$175 million private placement notes 3.89%, due in 2017 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt, face amount	175,000,000	'	'
$125 million private placement notes 2.68%, due in 2019 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt, face amount	125,000,000	'	'
$225 million private placement notes 4.47%, due in 2020 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt, face amount	225,000,000	'	'
$125 million private placement notes 3.26%, due in 2022 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt, face amount	$125,000,000	'	'

LEASE_COMMITMENTS_Minimum_Futu

LEASE COMMITMENTS - Minimum Future Rental Payments under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]	'
2014	$66,289
2015	56,509
2016	46,027
2017	37,411
2018	26,059
Thereafter	40,419
Minimum future rental payments under operating leases	$272,714

LEASE_COMMITMENTS_Additional_I

LEASE COMMITMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rent expense	$92.40	$85.50	$75.30
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating lease agreements, expiration (various dates over the next 22 years)	'21 years	'	'

PRODUCTS_AND_SERVICES_AND_GEOG2

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Summary Information of Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$567,899	$534,579	$526,525	$513,804	$503,638	$480,484	$468,950	$460,077	$2,142,807	$1,913,149	$1,676,048
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	477,746	417,197	372,324
Assets	3,882,797	'	'	'	3,546,738	'	'	'	3,882,797	3,546,738	3,177,090
Property, plant and equipment, net	358,967	'	'	'	335,870	'	'	'	358,967	335,870	293,912
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,506,587	1,370,806	1,212,111
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	404,620	359,748	316,156
Assets	2,537,611	'	'	'	2,427,297	'	'	'	2,537,611	2,427,297	2,208,152
Property, plant and equipment, net	214,810	'	'	'	207,387	'	'	'	214,810	207,387	197,118
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	636,220	542,343	463,937
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	73,126	57,449	56,168
Assets	1,345,186	'	'	'	1,119,441	'	'	'	1,345,186	1,119,441	968,938
Property, plant and equipment, net	144,157	'	'	'	128,483	'	'	'	144,157	128,483	96,794
International [Member] | Europe [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	341,387	301,615	252,620
Property, plant and equipment, net	74,915	'	'	'	64,690	'	'	'	74,915	64,690	52,604
International [Member] | Other International Countries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	294,833	240,728	211,317
Property, plant and equipment, net	$69,242	'	'	'	$63,793	'	'	'	$69,242	$63,793	$44,190

PRODUCTS_AND_SERVICES_AND_GEOG3

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Detailed Information for Reporting Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$567,899	$534,579	$526,525	$513,804	$503,638	$480,484	$468,950	$460,077	$2,142,807	$1,913,149	$1,676,048
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	477,746	417,197	372,324
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	164,662	147,256	134,981
Net Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	313,084	269,941	237,343
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,945	2,592
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	78,164	80,547	78,044	74,617	70,069	65,477	67,593	64,857	311,372	267,996	234,751
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,506,587	1,370,806	1,212,111
Net interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	43,131	41,084	40,048
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	404,620	359,748	316,156
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	152,874	138,807	119,982
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	251,746	220,941	196,174
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	50,166	45,234	40,689
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	43,442	38,528	36,270
United States [Member] | Regulated and compliance services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,408,812	1,254,486	1,094,928
United States [Member] | Recall and returns services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	97,775	116,320	117,183
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	636,220	542,343	463,937
Net interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,818	10,186	8,584
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	73,126	57,449	56,168
Income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,788	8,449	14,999
Net Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	61,338	49,000	41,169
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,712	1,945	2,592
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	59,626	47,055	38,577
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	38,242	31,049	25,357
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	29,667	26,708	17,031
International [Member] | Regulated and compliance services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$636,220	$542,343	$463,937

PRODUCTS_AND_SERVICES_AND_GEOG4

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of operating segments	3
Number of reportable segments	2
United States [Member]	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of reportable segments	1

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLAN_Detail

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
401(k) Defined Contribution Retirement Savings Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of contribution to 401(k) defined contribution retirement savings plan by employer	50.00%	'	'
Percentage of contribution to 401(k) defined contribution retirement savings plan by each employee	5.00%	'	'
Employer 401(k) maximum annual matching contribution to each employee	$1,750	'	'
Employer contributions to 401(k) plan	3,000,000	2,800,000	2,600,000
Foreign Defined Contribution Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employer contributions to 401(k) plan	$900,000	$800,000	$800,000

LEGAL_PROCEEDINGS_Details

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2008
	state
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Number of states involved in class action complaint	14

SELECTED_QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_D2

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'
Revenues	$567,899		$534,579		$526,525		$513,804		$503,638		$480,484		$468,950		$460,077		$2,142,807		$1,913,149		$1,676,048
Gross profit	253,285		241,403		237,852		232,094		226,956		215,554		209,488		205,307		964,634		857,305		'
Acquisition expenses	-4,037		-2,111		-2,324		-1,803		-1,707		-2,467		-2,207		-1,539		-10,275		-7,920		-16,700
Integration expenses	-2,819		-1,423		-1,383		-896		-1,356		-1,217		-1,044		-1,279		-6,521		-4,896		'
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	1,971		185		122		0		-161		11		602		-1,204		2,278		-752		7,221
Restructuring costs and plant closure expense	-2,012		-364		-104		0		-1,933		-2,250		-1,064		-86		-2,480		-5,333		'
Impairment of intangible assets	-1,405		0		0		0		'		'		'		'		-1,405		'		'
Litigation settlement	-2,120		-12		2		-106		-6,050		0		0		0		-2,236		-6,050		'
Loss on sale of business	'		'		'		'		0		-4,867		0		0		'		-4,867		'
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$78,164		$80,547		$78,044		$74,617		$70,069		$65,477		$67,593		$64,857		$311,372		$267,996		$234,751
Basic earnings per common share	$0.91	[1]	$0.94	[1]	$0.91	[1]	$0.87	[1]	$0.82	[1]	$0.76	[1]	$0.79	[1]	$0.76	[1]	$3.62	[1]	$3.14	[1]	$2.75
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.90	[1]	$0.92	[1]	$0.89	[1]	$0.85	[1]	$0.80	[1]	$0.75	[1]	$0.78	[1]	$0.75	[1]	$3.56	[1]	$3.08	[1]	$2.69
[1]	EPS calculated on a quarterly basis, and, as such, the amounts may not total the calculated full-year EPS.

SCHEDULE_IIVALUATION_AND_QUALI1

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Balance Beginning of Period	$19,443		$18,905		$10,845
Additions/(Deductions) Charged to/(from) Expense	4,823		4,634		7,079
Other Charges/(Reversals)	322	[1]	414	[1]	6,807	[1]
Write-offs/ Payments	-5,454		-4,510		-5,826
Balance End of Period	19,134		19,443		18,905
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Balance Beginning of Period	3,340		3,775		11,973
Additions/(Deductions) Charged to/(from) Expense	-1,451		0		-663
Other Charges/(Reversals)	-767	[2]	-435	[2]	-7,535	[2]
Balance End of Period	$1,122		$3,340		$3,775
[1]	Amounts consist primarily of valuation allowances assumed from acquired companies and currency translation adjustments.
[2]	Amounts consist primarily of valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets from business combinations.