Stericycle (SRCL) 10-K 2 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 16, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	STERICYCLE INC
Entity Central Index Key	861878
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	SRCL
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		84,940,511
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$10,038,938,856

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$22,236	$67,167
Short-term investments	380	413
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $19,083 in 2014 and $19,134 in 2013	465,473	388,996
Deferred income taxes	28,322	18,031
Prepaid expenses	30,632	28,379
Other current assets	33,173	37,279
Total Current Assets	580,216	540,265
Property, Plant and Equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $364,124 in 2014 and $323,031 in 2013	460,408	358,967
Goodwill	2,418,832	2,231,582
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $114,922 in 2014 and $88,098 in 2013	909,645	720,035
Other assets	32,621	37,124
Total Assets	4,401,722	3,887,973
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	131,969	150,380
Accounts payable	114,596	89,146
Accrued liabilities	131,743	107,445
Deferred revenues	21,624	18,826
Other current liabilities	61,599	50,387
Total Current Liabilities	461,531	416,184
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,527,246	1,280,663
Deferred income taxes	431,643	396,119
Other liabilities	64,117	27,469
Equity:
Common stock (par value $.01 per share, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 84,883,517 issued and outstanding in 2014 and 85,500,037 issued and outstanding in 2013)	849	855
Additional paid-in capital	289,211	195,110
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-138,419	-56,468
Retained earnings	1,743,371	1,610,964
Total Stericycle, Inc.’s Equity	1,895,012	1,750,461
Noncontrolling interest	22,173	17,077
Total Equity	1,917,185	1,767,538
Total Liabilities and Equity	$4,401,722	$3,887,973

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$19,083	$19,134
Accumulated depreciation	364,124	323,031
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$114,922	$88,098
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, issued	84,883,517	85,500,037
Common stock, outstanding	84,883,517	85,500,037

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$2,555,601	$2,142,807	$1,913,149
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation shown below)	1,404,712	1,128,170	1,011,213
Depreciation - cost of revenues	56,478	50,003	44,631
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)	489,937	390,610	356,817
Depreciation – selling, general and administrative expenses	15,446	11,338	9,598
Amortization	32,692	27,067	22,054
Total Costs and Expenses	1,999,265	1,607,188	1,444,313
Income from Operations	556,336	535,619	468,836
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	120	294	404
Interest expense	-66,142	-55,243	-51,674
Other expense, net	-2,746	-2,924	-369
Total Other Expense	-68,768	-57,873	-51,639
Income Before Income Taxes	487,568	477,746	417,197
Income Tax Expense	159,422	164,662	147,256
Net Income	328,146	313,084	269,941
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1,690	1,712	1,945
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$326,456	$311,372	$267,996
Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Stericycle, Inc. Common Shareholders:
Basic	$3.84	$3.62	$3.14
Diluted	$3.79	$3.56	$3.08
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	84,932,792	85,902,550	85,401,365
Diluted	86,233,612	87,391,988	87,018,473

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$328,146	$313,084	$269,941
Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-82,871	-19,160	6,801
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, net of tax ($209, $200 and $216) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	339	314	339
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax ($813, $0 and $193 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	-2,069	0	289
Total Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss)	-84,601	-18,846	7,429
Comprehensive Income	243,545	294,238	277,370
Less: Comprehensive Income/ (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	-960	270	2,454
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$244,505	$293,968	$274,916

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, tax	$209	$200	$216
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, tax	$813	$0	$193

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$328,146	$313,084	$269,941
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock compensation expense	17,773	17,457	16,339
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	-17,906	-17,153	-30,161
Depreciation	71,924	61,341	54,229
Amortization	32,692	27,067	22,054
Deferred income taxes	16,550	30,930	22,678
Loss on sale of business	0	0	4,867
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	-1,452	-2,278	752
Other, net	10,384	3,381	1,677
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable	-34,116	-54,767	-4,329
Accounts payable	-5,712	7	406
Accrued liabilities	21,279	4,547	24,537
Deferred revenues	1,017	-1,319	931
Other assets and liabilities	7,921	23,010	6,863
Net cash provided by operating activities	448,500	405,307	390,784
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-374,321	-161,936	-224,367
(Purchases of)/ proceeds from investments	-1,957	73	-89
Proceeds from sale of business and other assets	0	0	764
Capital expenditures	-86,496	-73,109	-65,236
Net cash used in investing activities	-462,774	-234,972	-288,928
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of long-term debt and other obligations	-101,231	-88,507	-102,932
Borrowings on foreign bank debt	205,086	218,968	98,620
Repayments on foreign bank debt	-193,284	-201,967	-69,454
Borrowings on senior credit facility	1,413,026	1,029,718	863,286
Repayments on senior credit facility	-1,216,031	-984,979	-1,167,595
Proceeds from private placement of long-term note	0	0	250,000
Payments of deferred financing costs	-2,280	0	-956
Payments on capital lease obligations	-5,826	-4,024	-3,192
Purchases and cancellations of treasury stock	-194,066	-163,700	-48,028
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	51,852	42,345	64,461
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	17,906	17,153	30,161
Payments to noncontrolling interests	-5,201	-1,026	-5,897
Net cash used in financing activities	-30,049	-136,019	-91,526
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-608	-1,809	1,819
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents	-44,931	32,507	12,149
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	67,167	34,660	22,511
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	22,236	67,167	34,660
NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Issuances of obligations for acquisitions	145,938	100,101	97,541
Issuances of obligations for noncontrolling interest	$0	$6,119	$8,197

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 [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,227,251	$847	$0	$1,243,303	($45,984)	$29,085
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		84,696,000
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		85,988,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	313,084			311,372		1,712
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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	328,146			326,456		1,690
Currency translation adjustment	-82,871				-80,221	-2,650
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	-1,730				-1,730
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (in shares)		1,061,000
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	58,562	11	58,551
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)		-1,677,000
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	-194,066	-17	0	-194,049
Stock compensation expense	17,773		17,773
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	17,906		17,906
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions	6,781					6,781
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership	-854		-129			-725
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,917,185	$849	$289,211	$1,743,371	($138,419)	$22,173
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	84,883,517	84,884,000

DESCRIPTION_OF_BUSINESS

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 more than 600,000 customers throughout the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, Republic of Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
	We lease office space for our corporate offices in Lake Forest, Illinois. Domestically, we own or lease 64 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 137 additional transfer sites, 19 additional sales/administrative sites, and 51 other service facilities. Internationally, we own or lease 117 processing facilities, the majority of which use autoclave waste processing technology. We also own or lease 77 additional transfer sites, 45 additional sales/administrative sites, 46 other service facilities, and 2 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, hazardous waste management, 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, 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 9,969 employees in the United States, of which 456 are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Internationally, we have 8,687 employees, of which approximately 2,209 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, 2014 and 2013 and the results of our operations, our cash flows, and our statement of changes in equity for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. 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. At December 31, 2013, the Company recorded an immaterial correction of an error to reclassify $5.2 million of book overdrafts from cash and cash equivalents to other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This adjustment had no impact on previously reported Stericycle, Inc.'s equity, net income, or earnings per share.
	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 estimates.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 hazardous waste services are recorded at the time waste is received at our processing facility. 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 13.1 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 (see Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for more information about goodwill and the 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 10 to 40 years based upon the type of customer, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 23.8 years. We have covenants not-to-compete intangibles with useful lives from 3 to 14 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 4.7 years. We have tradename intangibles with useful lives from 10 to 40 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 15.8 years. We have technology with useful life of 5 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 1.0 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. We also have a tradename that we have determined has an indefinite life.
	Our indefinite lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually at December 31, or more frequently, if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. We use a qualitative assessment, as provided for under the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, to determine if is is more likely then not that the asset is impaired. If there is an indication of impairment, we test the recoverability of the asset using either a discounted income or cost savings model to calculate fair value. The calculated 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 (see Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for more information about indefinite lived intangible assets).
	Valuation of Intangibles:
	Valuation of our intangible assets other than goodwill 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.
	We have determined that our customer relationships have lives between 10 and 40 year 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 for more information about our intangible assets other than goodwill).
	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 1% of our accounts receivable. Bad debt expense was $9.9 million, $4.8 million and $4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Environmental Remediation Liabilities:
	We record a liability for environmental remediation when such liability becomes probable and the costs or damages can be reasonably estimated. We accrue environmental remediation costs, on an undiscounted basis, associated with identified sites where an assessment has indicated that cleanup costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated, but the timing of such payments is not fixed and determinable. Such accruals are based on currently available information, estimated timing of remedial actions, existing technology, and enacted laws and regulations.
	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, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated at $1.67 billion, compared to a carrying amount of $1.66 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 1% 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 at December 31, 2014.
	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.
	New Accounting Standards:
	Accounting Standards Recently Adopted
	Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists
	On January 1, 2014, we adopted 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. We are applying this guidance on a prospective basis. The implementation of this guidance did not affect our results of operations or financial liquidity.
	Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
	Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance that changes the threshold for reporting discontinued operations and adds new disclosures. The new guidance defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and "represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results." For disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations, an entity must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component. For public business entities, this guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company has no plans to dispose of a component of our entity and therefore does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
	Revenue From Contracts With Customers
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. The revenue guidance contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will be effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 for public entities, with no early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its internal processes, operating results, and financial reporting. The impact is currently not known or reasonably estimable.
	Accounting for Share-Based Payment When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period
	In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that applies to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. It requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and follows existing accounting guidance for the treatment of performance conditions. The standard will be effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not have any share-based payments with a performance target and therefore does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
	The following table summarizes the locations of our acquisitions for the years ended December 31, twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	Acquisition Locations		2014		2013			2012
	United States		17		13			17
	Argentina		2		3			1
	Brazil		3		2			1
	Canada		2		3			—
	Chile		3		1			3
	Japan		2		3			1
	Mexico		—		1			2
	Portugal		5		2			1
	Romania		3		6			2
	Republic of Korea		1		—			—
	Spain		3		3			8
	United Kingdom		3		12			5
	Total		44		49			41
	During 2014, we completed 44 acquisitions, of which 17 were domestic and 27 were international businesses. Domestically, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses, selected assets of eleven regulated waste businesses, three communication services business, and one recall and returns business.
	Internationally, in Argentina, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses. In Brazil, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste business and selected assets of one regulated waste business. In Canada, we acquired 100% of the stock of two communication solution businesses. In Chile, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses, and 90% of the stock of another. In Japan, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses. In Portugal, we acquired 100% of the stock of five regulated waste business. In Romania, we acquired selected assets of two regulated waste businesses and 100% of the stock of another. In Republic of Korea, which represents a new market for us, we acquired 75.5% of the stock of one regulated waste business. In Spain, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business and selected assets of two regulated waste businesses. In the United Kingdom, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses and selected assets of another.
	We also increased our majority share in a previous acquisition in Japan to 100%.
	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, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
		2014			2013				2012
	Cash	$	374,321		$	161,936			$	224,367
	Promissory notes	125,229			64,581				70,670
	Deferred consideration	3,535			31,149				17,681
	Contingent consideration	17,174			4,371				9,190
	Total purchase price	$	520,259		$	262,037			$	321,908
	For financial reporting purposes, our acquisitions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. These acquisitions resulted in the 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, 2014, we recognized a net increase in goodwill of $235.6 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 $164.9 million was assigned to our United States reportable segment, and a net increase of $70.7 million was assigned to our International reportable segment. Approximately $125 million of the goodwill recognized during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 will be deductible for income taxes.
	During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, we recognized a net increase in intangible assets from acquisitions of $276.8 million, excluding the effect of foreign currency translation. The changes include $117.2 million in the estimated fair value of acquired customer relationships with amortizable lives of 10 to 40 years, $158.1 million in permits with indefinite lives, and $1.2 million in tradename with an amortizable lives of 15 to 20 years, and $0.3 million in other intangibles with an amortizable life of 10 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, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
		2014			2013				2012
	Fixed assets	$	98,916		$	15,582			$	30,426
	Intangibles	276,798			92,398				150,149
	Goodwill	235,597			179,795				147,156
	Accounts receivable	68,019			19,920				26,656
	Accounts payable	(37,021		)	(8,910		)		(7,423		)
	Environmental remediation liabilities	(32,383		)	—				—
	Net other (liabilities)/ assets	(42,015		)	(11,030		)		3,869
	Debt	(22,102		)	(7,512		)		(4,353		)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	(18,769		)	(13,995		)		(20,186		)
	Noncontrolling interests	(6,781		)	(4,211		)		(4,386		)
	Total purchase price allocation	$	520,259		$	262,037			$	321,908
	During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 the Company incurred $13.3 million, $10.3 million, and $7.9 million, respectively, of acquisition related expenses. These expenses are included with "Selling, general and administrative expenses" ("SG&A") on our Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Included in the acquisitions discussed above for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 is the acquisition of 100% of the stock of PSC Environmental Services, LLC ("PSC Environmental"), which was consummated on April 22, 2014. Subject to various adjustments, the total consideration for the PSC Environmental acquisition was $284.2 million, of which $248.2 million was paid in cash, $30.0 million was paid by a two-year promissory note, and $6.0 million of the total purchase price represents contingent consideration which is based on Stericycle's expected future utilization of acquired net operating losses. A portion of the cash payment was applied to pay PSC Environmental’s indebtedness as of the closing date. As part of the PSC Environmental acquisition, we assumed $32.4 million in environmental remediation liabilities (see Note 13 - Environmental Remediation Liabilities, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
	Included in the acquisitions discussed above for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 is the acquisition of 100% of the stock of Shiraishi-Sogyo Co. Ltd. ("Shiraishi"). Consideration for the acquisition of Shiraishi included the effective settlement of pre-existing loans we extended to Shiraishi for $15.7 million and the assumption of Shiraishi's bank debt of $4.7 million.
	The results of operations of these acquired businesses have been included in the consolidated statements of income from the date of the acquisition. The pro forma revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 from the aggregate acquisitions during 2014 was approximately $364.5 million, which includes $219.5 million estimated impact to 2014 reported revenues. Our pro forma earnings include estimates for intangible asset amortization expense but does not include estimated synergies as the timing and realizability of synergies is uncertain. The following consolidated pro forma information on the impact of the 2014 acquisitions to our consolidated revenues is based on the assumption that these acquisitions all occurred on January 1, 2013:
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenues	$	2,700,614		$	2,507,314
	Net income	331,330			317,609

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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, 2014				Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	22,236			$	22,236	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments	380				380		—		—
	Derivative financial instruments	515				—		515		—
	Total assets	$	23,131			$	22,616	$	515	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	19,941			$	—	$	—	$	19,941
	Derivative financial instruments	$	2,408			$	—	$	2,408	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	22,349			$	—	$	2,408	$	19,941
	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	$	67,167			$	67,167	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments	413				413		—		—
	Total assets	$	67,580			$	67,580	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	12,527			$	—	$	—	$	12,527
	Total liabilities	$	12,527			$	—	$	—	$	12,527
	For our derivative financial instruments we use a market approach valuation technique based on observable market transactions of spot and forward rates.
	We recorded a $0.5 million asset related to the fair value of the U.S. dollar-Canadian dollar foreign currency swap which was classified as other assets at December 31, 2014. The objective of the swap is to offset the foreign exchange risk to the U.S. dollar equivalent cash outflows for our Canadian subsidiary.
	We recorded a $2.4 million liability related to the fair value of treasury locks which was classified as current liabilities at December 31, 2014. The purpose was to lock in the treasury rate on the issuance of expected private placement debt and to eliminate interest rate risk. The fair value of the hedge was calculated by taking the present value of the difference between the locked rate and the forward rates at December 31, 2014. The hedge will terminate in April 2015 at which time the settlement amount, net of tax, will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized to net interest expense over the life of the underlying debt.
	We had contingent consideration liabilities recorded using Level 3 inputs in the amount of $19.9 million, of which $7.9 million was classified as current liabilities at December 31, 2014. Contingent consideration liabilities were $12.5 million at December 31, 2013. Contingent consideration represents amounts expected to be paid as part of acquisition consideration only if certain future events occur. These events are usually targets for revenues or earnings related to the business acquired. 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 $23.8 million at December 31, 2014. Contingent consideration liabilities are reassessed each quarter and are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in current liabilities within "Other current liabilities" and in noncurrent liabilities within "Other liabilities." Changes to contingent consideration are reflected in the table below:
	In thousands
	Contingent consideration at January 1, 2014		$	12,527
	Increases due to acquisitions		17,174
	Decrease due to change in noncontrolling interests		(4,379		)
	Decrease due to payments		(2,737		)
	Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations		(1,192		)
	Changes in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(1,452		)
	Contingent consideration at December 31, 2014		$	19,941
	Fair Value of Debt: At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated, using Level 2 inputs, at $1.67 billion compared to a carrying amount of $1.66 billion. 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. 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, 2014
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, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
		2014				2013				2012
	United States	$	441,029			$	407,315			$	357,076
	Foreign	46,539				70,431				60,121
	Total income before income taxes	$	487,568			$	477,746			$	417,197
	Significant components of our income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	In thousands
		2014				2013				2012
	Current
	United States - federal	$	118,217			$	103,751			$	95,864
	United States - state and local	13,023				11,683				14,034
	Foreign	14,930				24,486				17,192
		146,170				139,920				127,090
	Deferred
	United States - federal	29,730				31,808				25,028
	United States - state and local	948				5,510				3,881
	Foreign	(15,339		)		(10,246		)		(8,743		)
	Foreign - changes in statutory rates	(2,087		)		(2,330		)		—
		13,252				24,742				20,166
	Total provision	$	159,422			$	164,662			$	147,256
	A reconciliation of the income tax provision computed at the federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Federal statutory income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Effect of:
	State and local taxes, net of federal tax effect	1.9	%		2.3	%		2.9	%
	Foreign tax rates	(0.5	)%		(0.8	)%		(1.2	)%
	Change in deferred tax assets from an increase in tax basis of foreign assets	(1.8	)%		—	%		—	%
	Other	(1.9	)%		(2.0	)%		(1.4	)%
	Effective tax rate	32.7	%		34.5	%		35.3	%
	Cash payments for income taxes were $128.1 million, $102.1 million, and $104.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Our deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	In thousands
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment	$	(41,071	)		$	(43,280	)
	Goodwill and intangibles	(453,854		)		(387,942		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(494,925		)		(431,222		)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued liabilities	32,664				20,415
	Stock based compensation	21,139				20,361
	Other	17,922				5,264
	Net operating tax loss carry-forwards	20,017				8,097
	Less: valuation allowance	(56		)		(1,122		)
	Total deferred tax assets	91,686				53,015
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(403,239	)		$	(378,207	)
	At December 31, 2014, 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 $58 million and certain of these net operating loss carry-forwards begin to expire in 2017. The tax benefit of these net operating losses is approximately $20 million at December 31, 2014, on which a valuation allowance of $56 thousand was recorded offsetting such tax benefit. During 2014, 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. The valuation allowance primarily relates to loss carry-forwards for which limitations are in place and utilization before their expiration is uncertain.
	Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered permanently reinvested, and therefore no deferred taxes are recorded thereon. The cumulative amounts of such earnings are approximately $421 million at December 31, 2014, and it is not practicable to estimate the amount of tax that may be payable upon distribution assuming repatriation.
	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 2011. In 2014, the Internal Revenue Service concluded an audit of our 2010 Corporate Income Tax return with no significant adjustments.
	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 at December 31, 2014 is $15.1 million. The amount of unrecognized tax positions that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $15.1 million. We recognized interest and penalties accrued related to income tax reserves in the amount of $0.3 million and $0.4 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as a component of income tax expense.
	The following table summarizes the changes in unrecognized tax positions during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	In thousands
	Unrecognized tax positions at January 1, 2013	$	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 at December 31, 2013	$	14,910
	Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	200
	Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	(762		)
	Gross increases - current period tax positions	3,081
Settlement	(1,165		)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(1,169		)
Unrecognized tax positions at December 31, 2014	$	15,095

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
	At December 31, 2014, we had the following stock option plans:
	•	the 2014 Incentive Stock Plan, which our stockholders approved in May 2014;
	•	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
	At December 31, 2014, we have reserved a total of 9,450,645 shares for issuance under these plans.
	In terms of the stock options authorized, the 2014 Plan, 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 2014, 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.
	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 2014, 2013 and 2012, 60,189 shares, 52,956 shares, and 56,362 shares respectively, were issued through the ESPP. At December 31, 2014, we had 259,503 shares available for issuance under ESPP plan.
	Stock Based Compensation Expense:
	During 2014, 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:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Cost of revenues - stock option plan	$	52			$	120			$	136
	Selling, general and administrative - stock option plan	15,214				15,212				13,630
	Selling, general and administrative - RSUs	1,267				1,116				1,474
	Selling, general and administrative - ESPP	1,240				1,009				1,099
	Total pre-tax expense	$	17,773			$	17,457			$	16,339
	The following table sets forth the tax benefits related to stock compensation:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Tax benefit recognized in Statements of Income	$	4,849			$	4,518			$	5,818
	Excess tax benefit realized	17,906				17,153				30,161
	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, 2014, is summarized as follows:
			Number of			Weighted
			Options			Average
						Exercise
						Price per
						Share
	Outstanding at beginning of year		5,540,482			$	70.29
	Granted		981,583			115.41
	Exercised		(991,201	)		53.49
	Forfeited		(151,350	)		96.43
	Canceled or expired		(1,657	)		80.96
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		5,377,857			$	80.88
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		2,719,760			$	65.54
	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014		5,176,959			$	80.02
	At December 31, 2014, there was $44.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested option awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.81 years.
	The following table sets forth the total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31:
	In thousands
			2014				2013				2012
	Total exercise intrinsic value of options exercised		$	65,884			$	55,757			$	97,816
	The total exercise intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax value (the difference between the sales price on the trading day the option was exercised and the exercise price associated with the respective option).
	The following table sets forth the information related to outstanding and exercisable options for the years ended December 31:
			2014				2013				2012
	Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options (in years)		6.1				6.6				6.7
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options (in thousands)		$	269,900			$	254,200			$	175,200
	Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options (in years)		5.1				5.3				5.5
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options (in thousands)		$	178,300			$	161,100			$	114,500
	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, 2014 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, 2014; this amount changes based on the fair market value of our stock.
	Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014 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
	$22.90 - $46.83		663,353			3.03		$	41.99			659,353		$	42.06
	$46.87 - $51.20		72,225			4.34		49.7				68,225		49.61
	$51.55 - $51.55		539,334			5.1		51.55				380,195		51.55
$51.75 - $83.88		550,039			3.95		57.71				524,647		57.16
$83.95 - $84.91		48,731			7.34		84.01				43,081		83.96
$85.00 - $85.00		614,657			6.1		85				327,701		85
$85.02 - $86.02		11,450			7.18		85.44				3,300		85.32
$86.24 - $86.24		801,630			7.12		86.24				317,562		86.24
$86.83 - $95.03		179,092			6.83		90.13				124,033		89.22
$95.87 - $132.95		1,897,346			7.73		106.15				271,663		100.63
$22.90 - $132.95		5,377,857			6.14		$	80.88			2,719,760		$	65.54
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,
		2014				2013				2012
Stock options granted (shares)		981,583				1,057,630				1,142,205
Weighted average fair value at grant date		$	21.31			$	22.02			$	20.14
Assumptions:
Expected term (in years)		4.76				5.81				6
Expected volatility		17.23		%		27.03		%		27.87		%
Expected dividend yield		—		%		—		%		—		%
Risk free interest rate		1.53		%		1		%		1.05		%
Restricted Stock Units:
The fair value of Restricted stock units ("RSUs") is based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant and is amortized to expense over the service period. RSUs vest at the end of three or five years. Our 2008, 2011 and 2014 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:
		2014				2013				2012
Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding units (in thousands)		$	8,337			$	8,185			$	6,362
Per share fair value of units granted		115.67				96.4				86.24
A summary of the status of our non-vested RSUs and changes during the year ended December 31, 2014, are as follows:
		Number of			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		Units
Non-vested at beginning of year		70,457			$	88.32
Granted		16,334			115.67
Vested and released		(17,288	)		85
Forfeited		(5,903	)		90.53
Non-vested at December 31, 2014		63,600			$	96.04
At December 31, 2014, there was $4.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.87 years. The fair value of units that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $2.0 million, $1.2 million, and $0.4 million, respectively.

PREFERRED_STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
PREFERRED STOCK	PREFERRED STOCK
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, 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, 2014
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 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:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	326,456	$	311,372	$	267,996
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	84,932,792		85,902,550		85,401,365
	Effect of diluted securities:
	Employee stock options	1,300,820		1,489,438		1,617,108
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	86,233,612		87,391,988		87,018,473
	Earnings per share – Basic	$	3.84	$	3.62	$	3.14
	Earnings per share – Diluted	$	3.79	$	3.56	$	3.08
	For additional information regarding outstanding employee stock options, see Note 6 - Stock Based Compensation, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In 2014, 2013 and 2012, options to purchase 830,755 shares, 846,808 shares, and 1,049,707 shares, respectively, at exercise prices of $105.12-$132.95, $94.76-$119.19, and $77.49-$94.76 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, 2014
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 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
		Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss)
	Beginning balance at January 1, 2012	$	(43,584	)	$	(2,400	)	$	(45,984	)
	Period change	6,292			628			6,920
	Ending balance at December 31, 2012	$	(37,292	)	$	(1,772	)	$	(39,064	)
	Period change	(17,718		)	314			(17,404		)
	Ending balance at December 31, 2013	$	(55,010	)	$	(1,458	)	$	(56,468	)
	Period change	(80,221		)	(1,730		)	(81,951		)
	Ending balance at December 31, 2014	$	(135,231	)	$	(3,188	)	$	(138,419	)
	The tax impact of the unrealized gains/ (losses) on cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.0 million, $0.2 million, and $0.4 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, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following items:
	In thousands
		2014			2013
	Land and improvements	$	63,600		$	26,818
	Building and improvements	142,680			113,740
	Machinery and equipment	250,684			214,324
	Vehicles	56,650			46,579
	Containers	155,238			145,273
	Office equipment and furniture	80,158			68,005
	Software	40,291			25,676
	Construction in progress	35,231			41,583
	Total property, plant & equipment	824,532			681,998
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(364,124		)	(323,031		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	460,408		$	358,967

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 January 1, 2013, by reportable segment, were as follows:
	In thousands
			United States				International				Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	1,616,286			$	448,817			$	2,065,103
	Goodwill acquired during year		57,250				116,534				173,784
	Purchase accounting allocation adjustments		4,541				1,470				6,011
	Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations		—				(13,316		)		(13,316		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013		1,678,077				553,505				2,231,582
	Goodwill acquired during year		169,754				88,263				258,017
	Purchase accounting allocation adjustments		(4,825		)		(17,595		)		(22,420		)
	Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations		—				(48,347		)		(48,347		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	1,843,006			$	575,826			$	2,418,832
	Current year adjustments to goodwill for certain 2013 acquisitions are primarily due to the finalization of intangible asset valuations.
	During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, 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 calculated fair value for our reporting units using an income method and validated those results using a market approach. Both the income and market approaches indicated no impairment to goodwill to any of our three reporting units.
	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 Domestic Regulated and Compliance Services and Recall and Returns Management Services reporting units exceeded book value by a substantial amount; in excess of 100%. Our International Regulated and Compliance Services reporting units' fair value exceeded book value by approximately 85% and had $576.7 million in assigned goodwill at June 30, 2014.
	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, 2014. 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 changes in the 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 months' 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 corroborated the results of the impairment test under the income approach and indicated the fair value of our reporting units exceeded their respective book values by substantial amounts, in excess of 100% of their respective book values.
	Other Intangible Assets:
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the values of other intangible assets were as follows:
	In thousands
		2014												2013
		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying				Amortization				Value				Carrying		Amortization		Value
		Amount												Amount
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Covenants not-to-compete	$	8,474			$	5,688			$	2,786			$	9,405	$	5,366	$	4,039
	Customer relationships	755,148				107,365				647,783				670,889		81,271		589,618
	Trade names	6,062				1,313				4,749				5,283		1,031		4,252
	Technology	611				521				90				611		416		195
	Other	539				35				504				91		14		77
	Indefinite lived intangibles:
	Operating permits	247,933				—				247,933				116,054		—		116,054
	Trade names	5,800				—				5,800				5,800		—		5,800
	Total	$	1,024,567			$	114,922			$	909,645			$	808,133	$	88,098	$	720,035
	In 2014 and 2013, we wrote off $9.9 million and $2.9 million in operating permits due to rationalizing certain of our domestic and international operations. These expenses are reflected as part of SG&A expenses. Under generally accepted accounting principles, a fair value must be assigned to all acquired assets based on a theoretical "market participant" regardless of the acquirers' intended use for these assets. This accounting treatment can lead to the recognition of losses when a company disposes of acquired assets. We complete our annual impairment analysis of our indefinite lived intangibles during the quarter ended December 31 of each year, or more frequently, if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired.
	Our finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. We have determined that our customer relationships have useful lives from 10 to 40 years based upon the type of customer, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 23.8 years. We have covenants not-to-compete intangibles with useful lives from 3 to 14 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 4.7 years. We have tradename intangibles with useful lives from 10 to 40 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 15.8 years. We have technology with a useful life of 5 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 1.0 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 December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 the aggregate amortization expense was $32.7 million, $27.1 million and $22.1 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
	2015		$	34,431
	2016		34,091
	2017		33,946
	2018		33,891
	2019		33,870
	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 at December 31, 2014.

ACCRUED_LIABILITIES

ACCRUED LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
ACCRUED LIABILITIES	ACCRUED LIABILITIES
	Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following items:
	In thousands
		2014		2013
	Accrued compensation	$	37,932	$	36,210
	Accrued insurance	40,387		29,363
	Accrued taxes	17,847		19,538
	Accrued interest	9,096		8,593
	Accrued professional services liabilities	3,703		3,097
	Accrued liabilities - other	22,778		10,644
	Total accrued liabilities	$	131,743	$	107,445

ENVIRONMENTAL_REMEDIATION_LIAB

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIABILITIES	ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIABILITIES
	We record a liability for environmental remediation when such liability becomes probable and the costs or damages can be reasonably estimated. We accrue environmental remediation costs, on an undiscounted basis, associated with identified sites where an assessment has indicated that cleanup costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated, but the timing of such payments is not fixed and determinable. Such accruals are based on currently available information, estimated timing of remedial actions, existing technology, and enacted laws and regulations. The liability for environmental remediation is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in current liabilities within "Accrued liabilities" and in noncurrent liabilities within "Other liabilities."
	At December 31, 2014, the total environmental remediation liabilities recorded were $32.6 million, of which $2.9 million was classified as accrued liabilities and $29.7 million was classified as other liabilities.

DEBT

DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT
	Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
	In thousands
		2014			2013
	Obligations under capital leases	$	9,185		$	7,343
	$1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 1.50%, due in 2019	459,975			272,358
	$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
	Promissory notes and deferred consideration weighted average rate of 4.07% and weighted average maturity of 3.5 years	279,590			252,195
	Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 9.48% and weighted average maturity of 1.8 years	160,465			149,147
	Total debt	1,659,215			1,431,043
	Less: current portion of total debt	131,969			150,380
	Long-term portion of total debt	$	1,527,246		$	1,280,663
	Payments due on long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, during each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	In thousands
	2015	$	128,339
	2016	253,245
	2017	263,010
	2018	33,907
	2019	601,527
	Thereafter	370,002
		$	1,650,030
	We paid interest of $57.8 million, $51.0 million, and $47.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, 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
		2014			2013
	Land	$	174		$	198
	Buildings	896			550
	Machinery and equipment	1,230			2,262
	Vehicles	13,108			10,530
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(5,375		)	(3,905		)
		$	10,033		$	9,635
	Amortization related to these capital leases is included with depreciation expense.
	Minimum future lease payments under capital leases are as follows:
	In thousands
	2015	$	4,788
	2016	3,379
	2017	2,664
	2018	90
	2019	62
	Thereafter	453
	Total minimum lease payments	11,436
	Less: amounts representing interest	(2,251		)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments	9,185
	Less: current portion included in other current liabilities	(3,630		)
	Long-term obligations under capital leases	$	5,555
	Our $1.2 billion senior credit facility maturing in June 2019, 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, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our financial debt covenants.
	On June 3, 2014, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement (the "new credit agreement") with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender, a lender and a letter of credit issuer, other lenders party to the new credit agreement, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as syndication agents, and Union Bank, N.A. and Santander Bank, National Association, as co-documentation agents. The new credit agreement amended and restated our prior amended and restated credit agreement dated as of September 21, 2011. The new credit agreement increases our unsecured revolving credit facility from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion and extends the maturity date of our borrowings from September 21, 2016 to June 3, 2019. We paid $2.1 million in financing fees which will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the new credit agreement.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $162.9 million and $155.0 million, respectively, committed to outstanding letters of credit under our senior credit facility. The unused portion of the revolving credit facility was $577.1 million and $572.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Our $100.0 million private placement notes that mature in April 2015 were classified as long-term debt due to our intent to pay this obligation by borrowing on our $1.2 billion senior credit facility.

LEASE_COMMITMENTS

LEASE COMMITMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 20 years. The leases for most of the properties contain renewal provisions.
	Rent expense for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $111.5 million, $92.4 million, and $85.5 million, respectively.
	Minimum future rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2014 for each of the next five years and in the aggregate are as follows:
	In thousands
	2015	$	81,926
	2016	69,069
	2017	59,864
	2018	45,680
	2019	34,728
	Thereafter	44,098
		$	335,365

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLAN

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $3.6 million, $3.0 million, and $2.8 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, 2014, 2013 and 2012, total contributions made by the Company for these plans were approximately $1.9 million, $0.9 million, and $0.8 million, respectively.

PRODUCTS_AND_SERVICES_AND_GEOG

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	The FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280, Segment Reporting, 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
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013		2012
	Revenues:
	United States		$	1,796,796		$	1,506,587	$	1,370,806
	International:
	Europe		407,082			341,387		301,615
	Other international countries		351,723			294,833		240,728
	Total International		758,805			636,220		542,343
	Total		$	2,555,601		$	2,142,807	$	1,913,149
	Income before income taxes:
	United States		$	436,229		$	404,620	$	359,748
	International		51,339			73,126		57,449
	Total		$	487,568		$	477,746	$	417,197
	Total assets:
	United States		$	3,008,547		$	2,541,323	$	2,427,297
	International		1,393,175			1,346,650		1,119,441
	Total		$	4,401,722		$	3,887,973	$	3,546,738
	Property, Plant and Equipment, net:
	United States		$	297,558		$	214,810	$	207,387
	International:
	Europe		70,621			74,915		64,690
	Other international countries		92,229			69,242		63,793
	Total International		162,850			144,157		128,483
	Total		$	460,408		$	358,967	$	335,870
	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
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013		2012
	Regulated and compliance solutions		$	1,715,437		$	1,408,812	$	1,254,486
	Recall and returns solutions		81,359			97,775		116,320
	Total revenue		$	1,796,796		$	1,506,587	$	1,370,806
	Net interest expense		44,926			43,131		41,084
	Income before income taxes		436,229			404,620		359,748
	Income taxes		161,672			152,874		138,807
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		$	274,557		$	251,746	$	220,941
	Depreciation and amortization		$	59,888		$	50,166	$	45,234
	Capital expenditures		57,019			43,442		38,528
	Detailed information for our International reportable segment is as follows:
	In thousands
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013		2012
	Regulated and compliance solutions		$	758,805		$	636,220	$	542,343
	Net interest expense		21,096			11,818		10,186
	Income before income taxes		51,339			73,126		57,449
	Income taxes		(2,250		)	11,788		8,449
	Net income		53,589			61,338		49,000
	Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,690			1,712		1,945
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		$	51,899		$	59,626	$	47,055
	Depreciation and amortization		$	44,728		$	38,242	$	31,049
	Capital expenditures		29,477			29,667		26,708

LEGAL_PROCEEDINGS

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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. Liabilities from litigation are accrued when known, probable and estimable.
	Class Action Lawsuits. 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 qui tam 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. The qui tam case is in the early stages of discovery.
	Following the filing of the Pennsylvania class action complaint, we were served with class action complaints filed in federal court in California, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi 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. The MDL action is in the early stages of discovery.
	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.
	We have not accrued any amounts in respect of these lawsuits, and we cannot estimate the reasonably possible loss or the range of reasonably possible losses that we may incur. We are unable to make such an estimate because (i) litigation is by its nature uncertain and unpredictable, (ii) the proceedings are at an early stage and (iii) in our judgment, there are no comparable proceedings against other defendants that might provide guidance in making estimates.
	Utah Proceedings. As previously disclosed, on December 3, 2014, we entered into an administrative settlement order (the "Settlement") with the State of Utah Division of Air Quality (the "DAQ") concerning a notice of violation and order to comply issued by the DAQ on May 28, 2013 and superseded by an amended notice of violation and order to comply issued on August 28, 2013 (the "NOV"). Under the Settlement, without admitting to any of the allegations contained in the NOV, we agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,322,536, of which half, or $1,161,268, was paid within 30 days after December 3, 2014. The remaining $1,161,268 will not be paid but instead will be credited to us as a Supplemental Environmental Project credit when we permanently close our North Salt Lake incineration facility which is required to occur no later than three years after we receive all permits and approvals necessary to commence construction of a new incineration facility to be located in Tooele County, Utah. The Settlement provides full and final resolution of any and all claims under the authority of the DAQ arising out of the allegations contained in the NOV and cannot be used by other parties to allege violations or negligence on our part in any other litigation or proceeding.
	Junk Fax Lawsuit. On April 2, 2014, we were served with a class action complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Case 1:14-cv-02070) by an individual plaintiff for himself and on behalf of all other “similarly situated” persons. The complaint alleges, among other things, that we sent facsimile transmissions of unsolicited advertisements to plaintiff and others similarly situated in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, as amended by the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005 (the "TCPA"). The complaint seeks certification of the lawsuit as a class action and the award to class members of the greater of actual damages or the sum of $500 for each violation and injunctive and other relief. Under the TCPA, the statutory remedy of $500 per violation may be trebled if the Court finds the violations to be willful or knowing. On May 22, 2014, we filed our answer to the complaint, generally denying the allegations therein. Discovery in the case is proceeding.
	We have not accrued any amounts in respect of the TCPA action, and we cannot estimate the reasonably possible loss or the range of reasonably possible losses that we may incur. We are unable to make such an estimate because (i) the proceedings are at an early stage and discovery is ongoing and (ii) other reported TCPA claims have resulted in a broad range of outcomes, with each case being dependent on its own unique facts and circumstances.
	We review all of our outstanding legal proceedings with counsel quarterly, and we will disclose an estimate of any reasonably possible loss or range of reasonably possible losses if and when we are able to make such an estimate and the reasonably possible loss or range of reasonably possible losses is material to our financial statements.
	Environmental Matters.
	On April 22, 2014, we completed our acquisition of PSC Environmental Services, LLC ("PSC Environmental") and consequently became subject to the legal proceedings in which PSC Environmental was a party on that date. PSC Environmental’s operations are regulated by federal, state and local laws enacted to regulate the discharge of materials into the environment, remediate contaminated soil and groundwater or otherwise protect the environment. As a result of this continuing regulation, PSC Environmental frequently becomes a party to legal or administrative proceedings involving various governmental authorities and other interested parties. The issues involved in these proceedings generally relate to alleged violations of existing permits and licenses or alleged responsibility under federal or state Superfund laws to remediate contamination at properties owned either by PSC Environmental or by other parties to which either PSC Environmental or the prior owners of certain of its facilities shipped wastes.
	From time to time, PSC Environmental pays fines or penalties in regulatory proceedings relating primarily to waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities. We believe that the fines or other penalties that PSC Environmental may pay in connection with any pending regulatory proceedings of this nature will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to our financial statements.
	On September 18, 2014, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Stericycle Specialty Waste Solutions, Inc., received a notice of violation ("NOV") from the New Mexico Environment Department ("NMED") concerning our 10-day transfer facility in Albuquerque. The violations alleged in the NOV generally relate to the management of Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator ("CESQG") waste under a CESQG agreement that we have with NMED, as well as some recordkeeping matters. We have met with NMED and are currently in discussions regarding a resolution of the matters alleged in the NOV. We believe that the penalties ultimately assessed under the NOV could exceed $100,000 but that, in any event, they will not be material to our financial statements.

SELECTED_QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_D

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 2014 and 2013:
	In thousands, except per share data
			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			2014
			2014			2014			2014			2014
	Revenues		$	569,955		$	640,822		$	667,877		$	676,947		$	2,555,601
	Gross profit		255,469			275,304			278,669			284,969			1,094,411
	Acquisition expenses		(3,221		)	(3,979		)	(3,472		)	(2,661		)	(13,333		)
	Integration expenses		(2,485		)	(4,679		)	(7,461		)	(11,343		)	(25,968		)
	Change in fair value of contingent consideration		(4,789		)	836			—			5,405			1,452
	Plant conversion and restructuring expenses		(574		)	(1,115		)	(2,380		)	(10,495		)	(14,564		)
	Litigation expenses		(1,505		)	(396		)	(1,342		)	(3,331		)	(6,574		)
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		79,149			81,936			82,845			82,526			326,456
	* Basic earnings per common share		$	0.93		$	0.97		$	0.98		$	0.97		$	3.84
	* Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.91		$	0.95		$	0.96		$	0.96		$	3.79
	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		)	(787		)	(2,012		)	(2,903		)
	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
	*	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, 2014
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_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	STERICYCLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	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)
	2012		$	18,905	$	4,634		$	414		$	(4,510	)	$	19,443
	2013		$	19,443	$	4,823		$	322		$	(5,454	)	$	19,134
	2014		$	19,134	$	9,869		$	842		$	(10,762	)	$	19,083
	-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)
	2012		$	3,775	$	—		$	(435	)	$	3,340
	2013		$	3,340	$	(1,451	)	$	(767	)	$	1,122
	2014		$	1,122	$	—		$	(1,066	)	$	56
	-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, 2014
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 hazardous waste services are recorded at the time waste is received at our processing facility. 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 13.1 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 (see Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for more information about goodwill and the 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 10 to 40 years based upon the type of customer, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 23.8 years. We have covenants not-to-compete intangibles with useful lives from 3 to 14 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 4.7 years. We have tradename intangibles with useful lives from 10 to 40 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 15.8 years. We have technology with useful life of 5 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 1.0 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. We also have a tradename that we have determined has an indefinite life.
	Our indefinite lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually at December 31, or more frequently, if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. We use a qualitative assessment, as provided for under the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, to determine if is is more likely then not that the asset is impaired. If there is an indication of impairment, we test the recoverability of the asset using either a discounted income or cost savings model to calculate fair value. The calculated 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 (see Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for more information about indefinite lived intangible assets).
Valuation of Intangibles	Valuation of Intangibles:
	Valuation of our intangible assets other than goodwill 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.
	We have determined that our customer relationships have lives between 10 and 40 year 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 for more information about our intangible assets other than goodwill).
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. No single customer accounts for more than approximately 1% of our accounts receivable. Bad debt expense was $9.9 million, $4.8 million and $4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Environmental Remediation Liabilities	Environmental Remediation Liabilities:
	We record a liability for environmental remediation when such liability becomes probable and the costs or damages can be reasonably estimated. We accrue environmental remediation costs, on an undiscounted basis, associated with identified sites where an assessment has indicated that cleanup costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated, but the timing of such payments is not fixed and determinable. Such accruals are based on currently available information, estimated timing of remedial actions, existing technology, and enacted laws and regulations.
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, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated at $1.67 billion, compared to a carrying amount of $1.66 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 1% 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 at December 31, 2014.
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.
New Accounting Standards	Accounting Standards Recently Adopted
	Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists
	On January 1, 2014, we adopted 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. We are applying this guidance on a prospective basis. The implementation of this guidance did not affect our results of operations or financial liquidity.
	Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
	Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance that changes the threshold for reporting discontinued operations and adds new disclosures. The new guidance defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and "represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results." For disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations, an entity must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component. For public business entities, this guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company has no plans to dispose of a component of our entity and therefore does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
	Revenue From Contracts With Customers
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. The revenue guidance contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will be effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 for public entities, with no early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its internal processes, operating results, and financial reporting. The impact is currently not known or reasonably estimable.
	Accounting for Share-Based Payment When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period
	In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that applies to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. It requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and follows existing accounting guidance for the treatment of performance conditions. The standard will be effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not have any share-based payments with a performance target and therefore does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Location of Acquisitions	The following table summarizes the locations of our acquisitions for the years ended December 31, twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	Acquisition Locations		2014		2013			2012
	United States		17		13			17
	Argentina		2		3			1
	Brazil		3		2			1
	Canada		2		3			—
	Chile		3		1			3
	Japan		2		3			1
	Mexico		—		1			2
	Portugal		5		2			1
	Romania		3		6			2
	Republic of Korea		1		—			—
	Spain		3		3			8
	United Kingdom		3		12			5
	Total		44		49			41
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, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
		2014			2013				2012
	Cash	$	374,321		$	161,936			$	224,367
	Promissory notes	125,229			64,581				70,670
	Deferred consideration	3,535			31,149				17,681
	Contingent consideration	17,174			4,371				9,190
	Total purchase price	$	520,259		$	262,037			$	321,908
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, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
		2014			2013				2012
	Fixed assets	$	98,916		$	15,582			$	30,426
	Intangibles	276,798			92,398				150,149
	Goodwill	235,597			179,795				147,156
	Accounts receivable	68,019			19,920				26,656
	Accounts payable	(37,021		)	(8,910		)		(7,423		)
	Environmental remediation liabilities	(32,383		)	—				—
	Net other (liabilities)/ assets	(42,015		)	(11,030		)		3,869
	Debt	(22,102		)	(7,512		)		(4,353		)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	(18,769		)	(13,995		)		(20,186		)
	Noncontrolling interests	(6,781		)	(4,211		)		(4,386		)
	Total purchase price allocation	$	520,259		$	262,037			$	321,908
Pro Forma Information	The following consolidated pro forma information on the impact of the 2014 acquisitions to our consolidated revenues is based on the assumption that these acquisitions all occurred on January 1, 2013:
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenues	$	2,700,614		$	2,507,314
	Net income	331,330			317,609

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements
	In thousands
						Fair Value Measurements Using
		Total as of				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		December 31, 2014				Inputs		Inputs		Inputs
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	22,236			$	22,236	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments	380				380		—		—
	Derivative financial instruments	515				—		515		—
	Total assets	$	23,131			$	22,616	$	515	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	19,941			$	—	$	—	$	19,941
	Derivative financial instruments	$	2,408			$	—	$	2,408	$	—
	Total liabilities	$	22,349			$	—	$	2,408	$	19,941
	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	$	67,167			$	67,167	$	—	$	—
	Short-term investments	413				413		—		—
	Total assets	$	67,580			$	67,580	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	12,527			$	—	$	—	$	12,527
	Total liabilities	$	12,527			$	—	$	—	$	12,527
Changes to Contingent Consideration	Changes to contingent consideration are reflected in the table below:
	In thousands
	Contingent consideration at January 1, 2014		$	12,527
	Increases due to acquisitions		17,174
	Decrease due to change in noncontrolling interests		(4,379		)
	Decrease due to payments		(2,737		)
	Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations		(1,192		)
	Changes in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses		(1,452		)
	Contingent consideration at December 31, 2014		$	19,941

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
		2014				2013				2012
	United States	$	441,029			$	407,315			$	357,076
	Foreign	46,539				70,431				60,121
	Total income before income taxes	$	487,568			$	477,746			$	417,197
Significant Components of Income Tax Expense	Significant components of our income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	In thousands
		2014				2013				2012
	Current
	United States - federal	$	118,217			$	103,751			$	95,864
	United States - state and local	13,023				11,683				14,034
	Foreign	14,930				24,486				17,192
		146,170				139,920				127,090
	Deferred
	United States - federal	29,730				31,808				25,028
	United States - state and local	948				5,510				3,881
	Foreign	(15,339		)		(10,246		)		(8,743		)
	Foreign - changes in statutory rates	(2,087		)		(2,330		)		—
		13,252				24,742				20,166
	Total provision	$	159,422			$	164,662			$	147,256
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, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Federal statutory income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Effect of:
	State and local taxes, net of federal tax effect	1.9	%		2.3	%		2.9	%
	Foreign tax rates	(0.5	)%		(0.8	)%		(1.2	)%
	Change in deferred tax assets from an increase in tax basis of foreign assets	(1.8	)%		—	%		—	%
	Other	(1.9	)%		(2.0	)%		(1.4	)%
	Effective tax rate	32.7	%		34.5	%		35.3	%
Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets	Our deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	In thousands
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment	$	(41,071	)		$	(43,280	)
	Goodwill and intangibles	(453,854		)		(387,942		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(494,925		)		(431,222		)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accrued liabilities	32,664				20,415
	Stock based compensation	21,139				20,361
	Other	17,922				5,264
	Net operating tax loss carry-forwards	20,017				8,097
	Less: valuation allowance	(56		)		(1,122		)
	Total deferred tax assets	91,686				53,015
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(403,239	)		$	(378,207	)
Changes in Unrecognized Tax Positions	The following table summarizes the changes in unrecognized tax positions during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	In thousands
	Unrecognized tax positions at January 1, 2013	$	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 at December 31, 2013	$	14,910
	Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	200
	Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	(762		)
	Gross increases - current period tax positions	3,081
	Settlement	(1,165		)
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(1,169		)
	Unrecognized tax positions at December 31, 2014	$	15,095

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Table

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
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:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Cost of revenues - stock option plan	$	52			$	120			$	136
	Selling, general and administrative - stock option plan	15,214				15,212				13,630
	Selling, general and administrative - RSUs	1,267				1,116				1,474
	Selling, general and administrative - ESPP	1,240				1,009				1,099
	Total pre-tax expense	$	17,773			$	17,457			$	16,339
Tax Benefits Related to Stock Compensation	The following table sets forth the tax benefits related to stock compensation:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Tax benefit recognized in Statements of Income	$	4,849			$	4,518			$	5,818
	Excess tax benefit realized	17,906				17,153				30,161
Stock Option Activity	Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014, is summarized as follows:
			Number of			Weighted
			Options			Average
						Exercise
						Price per
						Share
	Outstanding at beginning of year		5,540,482			$	70.29
	Granted		981,583			115.41
	Exercised		(991,201	)		53.49
	Forfeited		(151,350	)		96.43
	Canceled or expired		(1,657	)		80.96
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		5,377,857			$	80.88
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		2,719,760			$	65.54
	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014		5,176,959			$	80.02
Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised	The following table sets forth the total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31:
	In thousands
			2014				2013				2012
	Total exercise intrinsic value of options exercised		$	65,884			$	55,757			$	97,816
Information Related to Outstanding and Exercisable Options
			2014				2013				2012
	Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options (in years)		6.1				6.6				6.7
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options (in thousands)		$	269,900			$	254,200			$	175,200
	Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options (in years)		5.1				5.3				5.5
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options (in thousands)		$	178,300			$	161,100			$	114,500
Options Outstanding and Exercisable by Price Range	Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014 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
	$22.90 - $46.83		663,353			3.03		$	41.99			659,353		$	42.06
	$46.87 - $51.20		72,225			4.34		49.7				68,225		49.61
	$51.55 - $51.55		539,334			5.1		51.55				380,195		51.55
	$51.75 - $83.88		550,039			3.95		57.71				524,647		57.16
	$83.95 - $84.91		48,731			7.34		84.01				43,081		83.96
	$85.00 - $85.00		614,657			6.1		85				327,701		85
	$85.02 - $86.02		11,450			7.18		85.44				3,300		85.32
	$86.24 - $86.24		801,630			7.12		86.24				317,562		86.24
	$86.83 - $95.03		179,092			6.83		90.13				124,033		89.22
	$95.87 - $132.95		1,897,346			7.73		106.15				271,663		100.63
	$22.90 - $132.95		5,377,857			6.14		$	80.88			2,719,760		$	65.54
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,
			2014				2013				2012
	Stock options granted (shares)		981,583				1,057,630				1,142,205
	Weighted average fair value at grant date		$	21.31			$	22.02			$	20.14
	Assumptions:
	Expected term (in years)		4.76				5.81				6
	Expected volatility		17.23		%		27.03		%		27.87		%
	Expected dividend yield		—		%		—		%		—		%
	Risk free interest rate		1.53		%		1		%		1.05		%
Information Related to RSUs	The following table sets forth the information related to RSUs for the years ended December 31:
			2014				2013				2012
	Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding units (in thousands)		$	8,337			$	8,185			$	6,362
	Per share fair value of units granted		115.67				96.4				86.24
Restricted Stock Units Activity	A summary of the status of our non-vested RSUs and changes during the year ended December 31, 2014, are as follows:
			Number of			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			Units
	Non-vested at beginning of year		70,457			$	88.32
	Granted		16,334			115.67
	Vested and released		(17,288	)		85
	Forfeited		(5,903	)		90.53
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014		63,600			$	96.04

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Common Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	326,456	$	311,372	$	267,996
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	84,932,792		85,902,550		85,401,365
	Effect of diluted securities:
	Employee stock options	1,300,820		1,489,438		1,617,108
	Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	86,233,612		87,391,988		87,018,473
	Earnings per share – Basic	$	3.84	$	3.62	$	3.14
	Earnings per share – Diluted	$	3.79	$	3.56	$	3.08

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Total Comprehensive Income	The following table sets forth the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income for 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	In thousands
		Currency Translation Adjustments			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss)
	Beginning balance at January 1, 2012	$	(43,584	)	$	(2,400	)	$	(45,984	)
	Period change	6,292			628			6,920
	Ending balance at December 31, 2012	$	(37,292	)	$	(1,772	)	$	(39,064	)
	Period change	(17,718		)	314			(17,404		)
	Ending balance at December 31, 2013	$	(55,010	)	$	(1,458	)	$	(56,468	)
	Period change	(80,221		)	(1,730		)	(81,951		)
	Ending balance at December 31, 2014	$	(135,231	)	$	(3,188	)	$	(138,419	)

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_T

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following items:
	In thousands
		2014			2013
	Land and improvements	$	63,600		$	26,818
	Building and improvements	142,680			113,740
	Machinery and equipment	250,684			214,324
	Vehicles	56,650			46,579
	Containers	155,238			145,273
	Office equipment and furniture	80,158			68,005
	Software	40,291			25,676
	Construction in progress	35,231			41,583
	Total property, plant & equipment	824,532			681,998
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(364,124		)	(323,031		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	460,408		$	358,967

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill since January 1, 2013, by reportable segment, were as follows:
	In thousands
			United States				International				Total
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	1,616,286			$	448,817			$	2,065,103
	Goodwill acquired during year		57,250				116,534				173,784
	Purchase accounting allocation adjustments		4,541				1,470				6,011
	Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations		—				(13,316		)		(13,316		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013		1,678,077				553,505				2,231,582
	Goodwill acquired during year		169,754				88,263				258,017
	Purchase accounting allocation adjustments		(4,825		)		(17,595		)		(22,420		)
	Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations		—				(48,347		)		(48,347		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	1,843,006			$	575,826			$	2,418,832
Values of Intangible Assets	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the values of other intangible assets were as follows:
	In thousands
		2014												2013
		Gross				Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying				Amortization				Value				Carrying		Amortization		Value
		Amount												Amount
	Amortizable intangibles:
	Covenants not-to-compete	$	8,474			$	5,688			$	2,786			$	9,405	$	5,366	$	4,039
	Customer relationships	755,148				107,365				647,783				670,889		81,271		589,618
	Trade names	6,062				1,313				4,749				5,283		1,031		4,252
	Technology	611				521				90				611		416		195
	Other	539				35				504				91		14		77
	Indefinite lived intangibles:
	Operating permits	247,933				—				247,933				116,054		—		116,054
	Trade names	5,800				—				5,800				5,800		—		5,800
	Total	$	1,024,567			$	114,922			$	909,645			$	808,133	$	88,098	$	720,035
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
	2015		$	34,431
	2016		34,091
	2017		33,946
	2018		33,891
	2019		33,870

ACCRUED_LIABILITIES_Tables

ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following items:
	In thousands
		2014		2013
	Accrued compensation	$	37,932	$	36,210
	Accrued insurance	40,387		29,363
	Accrued taxes	17,847		19,538
	Accrued interest	9,096		8,593
	Accrued professional services liabilities	3,703		3,097
	Accrued liabilities - other	22,778		10,644
	Total accrued liabilities	$	131,743	$	107,445

DEBT_Tables

DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
	In thousands
		2014			2013
	Obligations under capital leases	$	9,185		$	7,343
	$1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 1.50%, due in 2019	459,975			272,358
	$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
	Promissory notes and deferred consideration weighted average rate of 4.07% and weighted average maturity of 3.5 years	279,590			252,195
	Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 9.48% and weighted average maturity of 1.8 years	160,465			149,147
	Total debt	1,659,215			1,431,043
	Less: current portion of total debt	131,969			150,380
	Long-term portion of total debt	$	1,527,246		$	1,280,663
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, 2014 are as follows:
	In thousands
	2015	$	128,339
	2016	253,245
	2017	263,010
	2018	33,907
	2019	601,527
	Thereafter	370,002
		$	1,650,030
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
		2014			2013
	Land	$	174		$	198
	Buildings	896			550
	Machinery and equipment	1,230			2,262
	Vehicles	13,108			10,530
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(5,375		)	(3,905		)
		$	10,033		$	9,635
Minimum Future Lease Payments Under Capital Leases	Minimum future lease payments under capital leases are as follows:
	In thousands
	2015	$	4,788
	2016	3,379
	2017	2,664
	2018	90
	2019	62
	Thereafter	453
	Total minimum lease payments	11,436
	Less: amounts representing interest	(2,251		)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments	9,185
	Less: current portion included in other current liabilities	(3,630		)
	Long-term obligations under capital leases	$	5,555

LEASE_COMMITMENTS_Tables

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 at December 31, 2014 for each of the next five years and in the aggregate are as follows:
	In thousands
	2015	$	81,926
	2016	69,069
	2017	59,864
	2018	45,680
	2019	34,728
	Thereafter	44,098
		$	335,365

PRODUCTS_AND_SERVICES_AND_GEOG1

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary Information for Reportable Segments	Summary information for our reportable segments is as follows:
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Revenues:
	United States	$	1,796,796		$	1,506,587	$	1,370,806
	International:
	Europe	407,082			341,387		301,615
	Other international countries	351,723			294,833		240,728
	Total International	758,805			636,220		542,343
	Total	$	2,555,601		$	2,142,807	$	1,913,149
	Income before income taxes:
	United States	$	436,229		$	404,620	$	359,748
	International	51,339			73,126		57,449
	Total	$	487,568		$	477,746	$	417,197
	Total assets:
	United States	$	3,008,547		$	2,541,323	$	2,427,297
	International	1,393,175			1,346,650		1,119,441
	Total	$	4,401,722		$	3,887,973	$	3,546,738
	Property, Plant and Equipment, net:
	United States	$	297,558		$	214,810	$	207,387
	International:
	Europe	70,621			74,915		64,690
	Other international countries	92,229			69,242		63,793
	Total International	162,850			144,157		128,483
	Total	$	460,408		$	358,967	$	335,870
Detailed Information for Reportable Segment	Detailed information for our United States reportable segment is as follows:
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Regulated and compliance solutions	$	1,715,437		$	1,408,812	$	1,254,486
	Recall and returns solutions	81,359			97,775		116,320
	Total revenue	$	1,796,796		$	1,506,587	$	1,370,806
	Net interest expense	44,926			43,131		41,084
	Income before income taxes	436,229			404,620		359,748
	Income taxes	161,672			152,874		138,807
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	274,557		$	251,746	$	220,941
	Depreciation and amortization	$	59,888		$	50,166	$	45,234
	Capital expenditures	57,019			43,442		38,528
	Detailed information for our International reportable segment is as follows:
	In thousands
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Regulated and compliance solutions	$	758,805		$	636,220	$	542,343
	Net interest expense	21,096			11,818		10,186
	Income before income taxes	51,339			73,126		57,449
	Income taxes	(2,250		)	11,788		8,449
	Net income	53,589			61,338		49,000
	Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,690			1,712		1,945
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	51,899		$	59,626	$	47,055
	Depreciation and amortization	$	44,728		$	38,242	$	31,049
	Capital expenditures	29,477			29,667		26,708

SELECTED_QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_D1

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
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 2014 and 2013:
	In thousands, except per share data
			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			2014
			2014			2014			2014			2014
	Revenues		$	569,955		$	640,822		$	667,877		$	676,947		$	2,555,601
	Gross profit		255,469			275,304			278,669			284,969			1,094,411
	Acquisition expenses		(3,221		)	(3,979		)	(3,472		)	(2,661		)	(13,333		)
	Integration expenses		(2,485		)	(4,679		)	(7,461		)	(11,343		)	(25,968		)
	Change in fair value of contingent consideration		(4,789		)	836			—			5,405			1,452
	Plant conversion and restructuring expenses		(574		)	(1,115		)	(2,380		)	(10,495		)	(14,564		)
	Litigation expenses		(1,505		)	(396		)	(1,342		)	(3,331		)	(6,574		)
	Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.		79,149			81,936			82,845			82,526			326,456
	* Basic earnings per common share		$	0.93		$	0.97		$	0.98		$	0.97		$	3.84
	* Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.91		$	0.95		$	0.96		$	0.96		$	3.79
	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		)	(787		)	(2,012		)	(2,903		)
	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
	*	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) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Customer
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of customers - over	600,000
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	$22,236	$67,167	$34,660	$22,511
Increase in other current liabilities	61,599	50,387
Reclassifications, Other [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		5,200
Increase in other current liabilities		$5,200
United States
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employees	9,969
International [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employees	8,687
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements [Member] | United States
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employees	456
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements [Member] | International [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employees	2,209
Processing Facilities [Member] | United States
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of processing facilities	64
Processing Facilities [Member] | International [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of processing facilities	117
Transfer and Collection Sites [Member] | United States
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of sites	137
Transfer and Collection Sites [Member] | International [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of sites	77
Sales and Administrative Sites [Member] | United States
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of sites	19
Sales and Administrative Sites [Member] | International [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of sites	45
Other Service Facilities [Member] | United States
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of service facilities	51
Other Service Facilities [Member] | International [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of service facilities	46
Landfill [Member] | International [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of sites	2

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Bad debt expense	$9,900,000	$4,800,000	$4,600,000
Debt obligations, carrying amount	1,659,215,000	1,431,043,000
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Customer concentration risk percentage, no more than	1.00%
Customer relationships [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	23 years 9 months 18 days
Customer relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Customer relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	40 years
Covenants not-to-compete [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	4 years 8 months 12 days
Covenants not-to-compete [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	3 years
Covenants not-to-compete [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	14 years
Trade names
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	15 years 9 months 18 days
Trade names | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Trade names | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	40 years
Technology
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life in years	1 year
Technology | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Building and improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	5 years
Building and improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	50 years
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Machinery and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	30 years
Containers [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, weighted average remaining useful life	13 years 1 month 6 days
Containers [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	2 years
Containers [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	20 years
Vehicles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	2 years
Vehicles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	7 years
Office equipment and furniture [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	2 years
Office equipment and furniture [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	15 years
Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	2 years
Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	7 years
Level 2 Inputs [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Debt obligations, fair value	$1,670,000,000	$1,410,000,000

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_1

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Summary of Acquisition Location (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Entity	Entity	Entity
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	44	49	41
United States
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	17	13	17
Argentina
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	2	3	1
Brazil
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	3	2	1
Canada
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	2	3	0
Chile
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	3	1	3
Japan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	2	3	1
Mexico
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	0	1	2
Portugal
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	5	2	1
Romania
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	3	6	2
Republic of Korea
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	1	0	0
Spain
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	3	3	8
United Kingdom
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	3	12	5

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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Cash	$374,321	$161,936	$224,367
Promissory notes	125,229	64,581	70,670
Deferred consideration	3,535	31,149	17,681
Contingent consideration	17,174	4,371	9,190
Total purchase price	$520,259	$262,037	$321,908

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_3

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation and Other Adjustments to Purchase Price Allocations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$2,418,832	$2,231,582	$2,065,103
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fixed assets	98,916	15,582	30,426
Intangibles	276,798	92,398	150,149
Goodwill	235,597	179,795	147,156
Accounts receivable	68,019	19,920	26,656
Accounts payable	-37,021	-8,910	-7,423
Environmental remediation liabilities	-32,383	0	0
Net other (liabilities)/ assets	-42,015	-11,030	3,869
Debt	-22,102	-7,512	-4,353
Net deferred tax liabilities	-18,769	-13,995	-20,186
Noncontrolling interests	-6,781	-4,211	-4,386
Total purchase price allocation	$520,259	$262,037	$321,908

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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$2,700,614	$2,507,314
Net income	$331,330	$317,609

ACQUISITIONS_AND_DIVESTITURES_5

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 22, 2014

Entity

Entity

Entity

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

44

49

41

Net increase in Goodwill

$235,600,000

Tax deductible Goodwill amount

125,000,000

125,000,000

Acquisition related expenses

2,661,000

3,472,000

3,979,000

3,221,000

4,037,000

2,111,000

2,324,000

1,803,000

13,333,000

10,275,000

7,900,000

Total consideration

520,259,000

262,037,000

321,908,000

Consideration, cash paid

374,321,000

161,936,000

224,367,000

Consideration, note issued

125,229,000

64,581,000

70,670,000

Contingent consideration

17,174,000

4,371,000

9,190,000

Customer relationships | Minimum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

10 years

Customer relationships | Maximum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

40 years

Trade names | Minimum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

10 years

Trade names | Maximum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

40 years

United States

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

17

13

17

Argentina

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

3

1

Brazil

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

3

2

1

Canada

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

3

0

Chile

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

3

1

3

Japan

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

3

1

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Mexico

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

0

1

2

Portugal

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

5

2

1

Romania

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

3

6

2

Republic of Korea

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

1

0

0

Spain

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

3

3

8

United Kingdom

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

3

12

5

United States

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

17

Net increase in Goodwill

164,900,000

United States | Recall and Returns Solutions [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

1

International [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

27

Net increase in Goodwill

70,700,000

Acquisition One [Member] | United States | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Argentina

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Brazil

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Chile

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Japan

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Portugal

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

5

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Romania

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Republic of Korea

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

1

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

75.50%

75.50%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Spain

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

1

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | United Kingdom

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition One [Member] | International [Member] | Communication Solutions [Member] | Canada

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition Two [Member] | United States | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

11

Acquisition Two [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Brazil

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

1

Acquisition Two [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Chile

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

90.00%

90.00%

Acquisition Two [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Romania

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Acquisition Two [Member] | International [Member] | Regulated and Compliance Solutions [Member] | Spain

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

2

Acquisition Three [Member] | United States | Communication Solutions [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Number of acquisitions

3

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Net increase in Intangible Assets

276,800,000

Pro forma revenues from the aggregate acquisitions

364,500,000

Impact to revenues of acquisitions

219,500,000

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Operating permits

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Net increase in Intangible Assets

158,100,000

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Customer relationships

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Net increase in Intangible Assets

117,200,000

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Customer relationships | Minimum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

10 years

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Customer relationships | Maximum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

40 years

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Trade names

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Net increase in Intangible Assets

1,200,000

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Trade names | Minimum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

15 years

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Trade names | Maximum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

20 years

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Other

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Net increase in Intangible Assets

300,000

Acquisitions Year 2014 [Member] | Other | Minimum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life

10 years

PSC Environmental Services, LLC

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

Total consideration

284,200,000

Consideration, cash paid

248,200,000

Consideration, note issued

30,000,000

Note term

2 years

Contingent consideration

6,000,000

Liabilities assumed

32,400,000

Shiraishi-Sogyo Co. Ltd. [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

Business acquisition, ownership percentage acquired

100.00%

Note payable to Stericycle assumed

15,700,000

Bank debt assumed

$4,700,000

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Fair_V

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Fair Value Measurements (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$22,236	$67,167
Short-term investments	380	413
Derivative Asset	515
Total assets	23,131	67,580
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	19,941	12,527
Derivative Liability	2,408
Total liabilities	22,349	12,527
Level 1 Inputs [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	22,236	67,167
Short-term investments	380	413
Derivative Asset	0
Total assets	22,616	67,580
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	0	0
Derivative Liability	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 2 Inputs [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Derivative Asset	515
Total assets	515	0
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	0	0
Derivative Liability	2,408
Total liabilities	2,408	0
Level 3 Inputs [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Derivative Asset	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	19,941	12,527
Derivative Liability	0
Total liabilities	$19,941	$12,527

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability [Roll Forward]
Contingent consideration at January 1, 2014				$12,527					$12,527
Increases due to acquisitions									17,174	4,371	9,190
Decrease due to change in noncontrolling interests									-4,379
Decrease due to payments									-2,737
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations									-1,192
Changes in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses	-5,405	0	-836	4,789	-1,971	-185	-122	0	-1,452	-2,278	752
Contingent consideration at December 31, 2014	$19,941				$12,527				$19,941	$12,527

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Additi

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$515,000
Derivative Liability	2,408,000
Contingent consideration liabilities	19,941,000	12,527,000
Debt obligations, carrying amount	1,659,215,000	1,431,043,000
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Maximum contingent liability if financial performance measures were fully met	23,800,000
Level 2 Inputs [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	515,000
Derivative Liability	2,408,000
Contingent consideration liabilities	0	0
Debt obligations, fair value	1,670,000,000	1,410,000,000
Level 3 Inputs [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0
Derivative Liability	0
Contingent consideration liabilities	19,941,000	12,527,000
Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 Inputs [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liabilities	$7,900,000

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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$441,029	$407,315	$357,076
Foreign	46,539	70,431	60,121
Income Before Income Taxes	$487,568	$477,746	$417,197

INCOME_TAXES_Significant_Compo

INCOME TAXES - Significant Components of Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current
United States - federal	$118,217	$103,751	$95,864
United States - state and local	13,023	11,683	14,034
Foreign	14,930	24,486	17,192
Current income tax expense	146,170	139,920	127,090
Deferred
United States - federal	29,730	31,808	25,028
United States - state and local	948	5,510	3,881
Foreign	-15,339	-10,246	-8,743
Foreign - changes in statutory rates	-2,087	-2,330	0
Deferred income tax expense	13,252	24,742	20,166
Total provision	$159,422	$164,662	$147,256

INCOME_TAXES_Reconciliation_of

INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Income Tax Provision Computed at Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory income tax rate			35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of federal tax effect			1.90%	2.30%	2.90%
Foreign tax rates			-0.50%	-0.80%	-1.20%
Change in deferred tax assets from an increase in tax basis of foreign assets			-1.80%	0.00%	0.00%
Other			-1.90%	-2.00%	-1.40%
Effective tax rate	32.70%	34.50%	32.70%	34.50%	35.30%

INCOME_TAXES_Deferred_Tax_Liab

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	($41,071)	($43,280)
Goodwill and intangibles	-453,854	-387,942
Total deferred tax liabilities	-494,925	-431,222
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued liabilities	32,664	20,415
Stock based compensation	21,139	20,361
Other	17,922	5,264
Net operating tax loss carry-forwards	20,017	8,097
Less: valuation allowance	-56	-1,122
Total deferred tax assets	91,686	53,015
Net deferred tax liabilities	($403,239)	($378,207)

INCOME_TAXES_Summary_of_Change

INCOME TAXES - Summary of Changes in Unrecognized Tax Positions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Change in Unrecognized Tax Positions [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax positions, beginning of year		$16,104
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	200	267
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	-762	-1,129
Gross increases - current period tax positions	3,081	2,514
Settlement	-1,165	0
Lapse of statute of limitations	-1,169	-2,846
Unrecognized tax positions, end of year	$15,095	$14,910

INCOME_TAXES_Additional_Inform

INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Cash payments for income taxes	$128,100,000	$102,100,000	$104,700,000
Net operating loss carry-forwards	58,000,000
Tax benefit of net operating losses	20,017,000	8,097,000
Valuation allowance for net operating losses	56,000	1,122,000
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	421,000,000
Unrecognized tax positions	15,095,000	14,910,000	16,104,000
Unrecognized tax positions that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	15,100,000
Interest and penalties recognized related to income tax reserves	$300,000	$400,000

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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$17,773	$17,457	$16,339
Stock Options [Member] | Cost of revenues
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	52	120	136
Stock Options [Member] | Selling, general and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	15,214	15,212	13,630
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Selling, general and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,267	1,116	1,474
ESPP shares [Member] | Selling, general and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,240	$1,009	$1,099

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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Tax benefit recognized in Statements of Income	$4,849	$4,518	$5,818
Excess tax benefit realized	$17,906	$17,153	$30,161

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Stock

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Number of Options
Outstanding at beginning of year	5,540,482
Granted	981,583
Exercised	-991,201
Forfeited	-151,350
Canceled or expired	-1,657
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	5,377,857
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	2,719,760
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	5,176,959
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
Outstanding at beginning of year	$70.29
Granted	$115.41
Exercised	$53.49
Forfeited	$96.43
Canceled or expired	$80.96
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	$80.88
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$65.54
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2014	$80.02

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Intri

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Total exercise intrinsic value of options exercised	$55,757	$97,816	$65,884

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Outst

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Outstanding and Exercisable Options (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding options	6 years 1 month 6 days	6 years 7 months 6 days	6 years 8 months 12 days
Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options	$269,900	$254,200	$175,200
Weighted average remaining contractual life of exercisable options	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 6 months
Total aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options	$178,300	$161,100	$114,500

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Optio

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Options Outstanding and Exercisable by Price Range (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	5,377,857	5,540,482
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	6 years 1 month 6 days	6 years 7 months 6 days	6 years 8 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$80.88	$70.29
Options Exercisable, Shares	2,719,760
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$65.54
$22.90 - $46.83
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	663,353
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	3 years 11 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$41.99
Options Exercisable, Shares	659,353
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$42.06
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$22.90
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$46.83
$46.87 - $51.20
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	72,225
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	4 years 4 months 2 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$49.70
Options Exercisable, Shares	68,225
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$49.61
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$46.87
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$51.20
$51.55 - $51.55
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	539,334
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	5 years 1 month 6 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$51.55
Options Exercisable, Shares	380,195
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$51.55
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$51.55
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$51.55
$51.75 - $83.88
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	550,039
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	3 years 11 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$57.71
Options Exercisable, Shares	524,647
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$57.16
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$51.75
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$83.88
$83.95 - $84.91
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	48,731
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	7 years 4 months 2 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$84.01
Options Exercisable, Shares	43,081
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$83.96
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$83.95
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$84.91
$85.00 - $85.00
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	614,657
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	6 years 1 month 6 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$85
Options Exercisable, Shares	327,701
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$85
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$85
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$85
$85.02 - $86.02
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	11,450
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	7 years 2 months 5 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$85.44
Options Exercisable, Shares	3,300
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$85.32
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$85.02
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$86.02
$86.24 - $86.24
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	801,630
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	7 years 1 month 13 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$86.24
Options Exercisable, Shares	317,562
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$86.24
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$86.24
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$86.24
$86.83 - $95.03
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	179,092
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	6 years 9 months 29 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$90.13
Options Exercisable, Shares	124,033
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$89.22
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$86.83
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$95.03
$95.87 - $132.95
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	1,897,346
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	7 years 8 months 23 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$106.15
Options Exercisable, Shares	271,663
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$100.63
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$95.87
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$132.95
$22.90 - $132.95
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Shares	5,377,857
Options Outstanding, Outstanding Average Remaining Life	6 years 1 month 21 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$80.88
Options Exercisable, Shares	2,719,760
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$65.54
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$22.90
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$132.95

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Assum

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Assumptions used in Black-Scholes Model (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock options granted (shares)	981,583	1,057,630	1,142,205
Weighted average fair value at grant date	$21.31	$22.02	$20.14
Expected term	4 years 9 months 4 days	5 years 9 months 22 days	6 years
Expected volatility	17.23%	27.03%	27.87%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk free interest rate	1.53%	1.00%	1.05%

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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Total aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding units	$8,337	$8,185	$6,362
Per share fair value of units granted (in dollars per share)	$115.67	$96.40	$86.24
Number of Units
Non-vested at beginning of year	70,457
Granted	16,334
Vested and released	-17,288
Forfeited	-5,903
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	63,600	70,457
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at beginning of year	$88.32
Granted	$115.67	$96.40	$86.24
Vested and released	$85
Forfeited	$90.53
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	$96.04	$88.32

STOCK_BASED_COMPENSATION_Addit

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares reserved for future issuance	9,450,645
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares 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
Shares available for issuance (in shares)	259,503
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum term of an option granted under any plan	10 years
Unrecognized compensation expenses related to non-vested option awards	44,100,000
Weighted average period of recognition for unrecognized compensation expenses	2 years 9 months 22 days
Stock Options [Member] | Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year
Stock Options [Member] | Officers And Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	5 years
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 10 months 13 days
Ratio of share reserve related to RSUs granted	2
Unrecognized compensation expenses related to RSUs	4,100,000
Fair value of units vested (in shares)	$2,000,000	$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
ESPP shares [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock issued during period (in shares)	60,189	52,956	56,362

PREFERRED_STOCK_Detail

PREFERRED STOCK (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$82,526	$82,845	$81,936	$79,149	$78,164	$80,547	$78,044	$74,617	$326,456	$311,372	$267,996
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares									84,932,792	85,902,550	85,401,365
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options									1,300,820	1,489,438	1,617,108
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises									86,233,612	87,391,988	87,018,473
Earnings per share – Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.97	$0.98	$0.97	$0.93	$0.91	$0.94	$0.91	$0.87	$3.84	$3.62	$3.14
Earnings per share – Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.96	$0.96	$0.95	$0.91	$0.90	$0.92	$0.89	$0.85	$3.79	$3.56	$3.08

EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_Addi

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Details) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	830,755	846,808	1,049,707
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Exercise Price Range Lower Limit	$105.12	$94.76	$77.49
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Exercise Price Range Upper Limit	$132.95	$119.19	$94.76

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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) loss, beginning balance	($56,468)	($39,064)	($45,984)
Period change	-81,951	-17,404	6,920
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-138,419	-56,468	-39,064
Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) loss, beginning balance	-55,010	-37,292	-43,584
Period change	-80,221	-17,718	6,292
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	-135,231	-55,010	-37,292
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) loss, beginning balance	-1,458	-1,772	-2,400
Period change	-1,730	314	628
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), ending balance	($3,188)	($1,458)	($1,772)

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Tax impact of unrealized loss on cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income	$1	$0.20	$0.40

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_D

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	$824,532	$681,998
Less: accumulated depreciation	-364,124	-323,031
Property, plant and equipment, net	460,408	358,967	335,870
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	63,600	26,818
Building and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	142,680	113,740
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	250,684	214,324
Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	56,650	46,579
Containers [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	155,238	145,273
Office equipment and furniture [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	80,158	68,005
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	40,291	25,676
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant & equipment	$35,231	$41,583

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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$2,231,582	$2,065,103
Goodwill acquired during year	258,017	173,784
Purchase accounting allocation adjustments	-22,420	6,011
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	-48,347	-13,316
Ending Balance	2,418,832	2,231,582
United States
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,678,077	1,616,286
Goodwill acquired during year	169,754	57,250
Purchase accounting allocation adjustments	-4,825	4,541
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	0	0
Ending Balance	1,843,006	1,678,077
International [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	553,505	448,817
Goodwill acquired during year	88,263	116,534
Purchase accounting allocation adjustments	-17,595	1,470
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	-48,347	-13,316
Ending Balance	$575,826	$553,505

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Values of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$1,024,567	$808,133
Accumulated Amortization	114,922	88,098
Net Value	909,645	720,035
Amortizable intangibles | Covenants not-to-compete
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	8,474	9,405
Accumulated Amortization	5,688	5,366
Net Value	2,786	4,039
Amortizable intangibles | Customer relationships
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	755,148	670,889
Accumulated Amortization	107,365	81,271
Net Value	647,783	589,618
Amortizable intangibles | Trade names
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	6,062	5,283
Accumulated Amortization	1,313	1,031
Net Value	4,749	4,252
Amortizable intangibles | Technology
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	611	611
Accumulated Amortization	521	416
Net Value	90	195
Amortizable intangibles | Other
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	539	91
Accumulated Amortization	35	14
Net Value	504	77
Indefinite lived intangibles | Operating permits
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	247,933	116,054
Net Value	247,933	116,054
Indefinite lived intangibles | Trade names
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	5,800	5,800
Net Value	$5,800	$5,800

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$34,431
2016	34,091
2017	33,946
2018	33,891
2019	$33,870

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014
	Reporting_unit
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Number of geographical reportable segments	2
Number of reporting units	3
Goodwill	$2,418,832,000	$2,231,582,000	$2,065,103,000
Aggregate amortization expense	32,692,000	27,067,000	22,054,000
Covenants not-to-compete | Minimum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	3 years
Covenants not-to-compete | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	14 years
Customer relationships
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life	23 years 9 months 18 days
Customer relationships | Minimum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Customer relationships | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	40 years
Trade names | Minimum
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Trade names | Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	40 years
Market Approach Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	100.00%
Domestic Regulated and Compliance Services [Member] | Income Approach Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	100.00%
Domestic Regulated Recall and Returns Management Services [Member] | Income Approach Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	100.00%
International Regulated and Compliance Services [Member]
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Goodwill				576,700,000
International Regulated and Compliance Services [Member] | Income Approach Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount				85.00%
Operating permits
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Write off of permit intangibles	$9,900,000	$2,900,000

ACCRUED_LIABILITIES_Detail

ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued compensation	$37,932	$36,210
Accrued insurance	40,387	29,363
Accrued taxes	17,847	19,538
Accrued interest	9,096	8,593
Accrued professional services	3,703	3,097
Others	22,778	10,644
Total accrued liabilities	$131,743	$107,445

ENVIRONMENTAL_REMEDIATION_LIAB1

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
Environmental remediation liabilities	$32.60
Environmental remediation liabilities, classified as accrued liabilities	2.9
Environmental remediation liabilities, classified as other liabilities	$29.70

DEBT_Schedule_of_LongTerm_Debt

DEBT - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 03, 2014	Jun. 01, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$1,659,215,000	$1,431,043,000
Less: current portion of total debt	131,969,000	150,380,000
Long-term portion of total debt	1,527,246,000	1,280,663,000
Obligations under capital leases
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	9,185,000	7,343,000
$1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 1.50%, due in 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	459,975,000	272,358,000
Maximum borrowing capacity of line of credit facility	1,200,000,000		1,200,000,000	1,000,000,000
Stated interest rate	1.50%
$100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	100,000,000	100,000,000
Long-term debt, face amount	100,000,000
Stated interest rate	5.64%
$175 million private placement notes 3.89%, due in 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	175,000,000	175,000,000
Long-term debt, face amount	175,000,000
Stated interest rate	3.89%
$125 million private placement notes 2.68%, due in 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	125,000,000	125,000,000
Long-term debt, face amount	125,000,000
Stated interest rate	2.68%
$225 million private placement notes 4.47%, due in 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	225,000,000	225,000,000
Long-term debt, face amount	225,000,000
Stated interest rate	4.47%
$125 million private placement notes 3.26%, due in 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	125,000,000	125,000,000
Long-term debt, face amount	125,000,000
Stated interest rate	3.26%
Promissory notes and deferred consideration weighted average rate of 4.07% and weighted average maturity of 3.5 years
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	279,590,000	252,195,000
Weighted average interest rate	4.07%
Weighted average maturity	3 years 6 months
Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 9.48% and weighted average maturity of 1.8 years
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$160,465,000	$149,147,000
Weighted average interest rate	9.48%
Weighted average maturity	1 year 9 months 18 days

DEBT_Payments_Due_on_LongTerm_

DEBT - Payments Due on Long-Term Debt, Excluding Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	$128,339
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	253,245
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	263,010
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	33,907
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	601,527
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	370,002
Long-term Debt	$1,650,030

DEBT_Property_under_Capital_Le

DEBT - Property under Capital Leases Included with Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation	($5,375)	($3,905)
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net	10,033	9,635
Land [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	174	198
Building [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	896	550
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	1,230	2,262
Vehicles [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	$13,108	$10,530

DEBT_Minimum_Future_Lease_Paym

DEBT - Minimum Future Lease Payments under Capital Leases (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$4,788
2016	3,379
2017	2,664
2018	90
2019	62
Thereafter	453
Total minimum lease payments	11,436
Less: amounts representing interest	-2,251
Present value of net minimum lease payments	9,185
Less: current portion included in other current liabilities	-3,630
Long-term obligations under capital leases	$5,555

DEBT_Additional_Information_De

DEBT - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 03, 2014	Jun. 01, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest Paid		$57,800,000	$51,000,000	$47,500,000
Payment of financing fees	2,100,000	2,280,000	0	956,000
$1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 1.50%, due in 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity of line of credit facility		1,200,000,000			1,200,000,000	1,000,000,000
Revolving credit facility, amount committed to outstanding letters of credit		162,900,000	155,000,000
Revolving credit facility, unused portion		577,100,000	572,600,000
$100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, face amount		100,000,000
$175 million private placement notes 3.89%, due in 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, face amount		175,000,000
$125 million private placement notes 2.68%, due in 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, face amount		125,000,000
$225 million private placement notes 4.47%, due in 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, face amount		225,000,000
$125 million private placement notes 3.26%, due in 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, face amount		125,000,000
Long-term Debt [Member] | $100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, face amount		$100,000,000

LEASE_COMMITMENTS_Minimum_Futu

LEASE COMMITMENTS - Minimum Future Rental Payments under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]
2015	$81,926
2016	69,069
2017	59,864
2018	45,680
2019	34,728
Thereafter	44,098
Minimum future rental payments under operating leases	$335,365

LEASE_COMMITMENTS_Additional_I

LEASE COMMITMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rent expense	$111.50	$92.40	$85.50
Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease agreements, expiration (various dates over the next 22 years)	20 years

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLAN_Detail

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
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
Domestic Defined Contribution Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions to 401(k) plan	3,600,000	3,000,000	2,800,000
Foreign Defined Contribution Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions to 401(k) plan	$1,900,000	$900,000	$800,000

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$676,947	$667,877	$640,822	$569,955	$567,899	$534,579	$526,525	$513,804	$2,555,601	$2,142,807	$1,913,149
Income before income taxes									487,568	477,746	417,197
Assets	4,401,722				3,887,973				4,401,722	3,887,973	3,546,738
Property, Plant and Equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $364,124 in 2014 and $323,031 in 2013	460,408				358,967				460,408	358,967	335,870
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,796,796	1,506,587	1,370,806
Income before income taxes									436,229	404,620	359,748
Assets	3,008,547				2,541,323				3,008,547	2,541,323	2,427,297
Property, Plant and Equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $364,124 in 2014 and $323,031 in 2013	297,558				214,810				297,558	214,810	207,387
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									758,805	636,220	542,343
Income before income taxes									51,339	73,126	57,449
Assets	1,393,175				1,346,650				1,393,175	1,346,650	1,119,441
Property, Plant and Equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $364,124 in 2014 and $323,031 in 2013	162,850				144,157				162,850	144,157	128,483
International [Member] | Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									407,082	341,387	301,615
Property, Plant and Equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $364,124 in 2014 and $323,031 in 2013	70,621				74,915				70,621	74,915	64,690
International [Member] | Other International Countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									351,723	294,833	240,728
Property, Plant and Equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $364,124 in 2014 and $323,031 in 2013	$92,229				$69,242				$92,229	$69,242	$63,793

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$676,947	$667,877	$640,822	$569,955	$567,899	$534,579	$526,525	$513,804	$2,555,601	$2,142,807	$1,913,149
Income before income taxes									487,568	477,746	417,197
Income taxes									159,422	164,662	147,256
Net Income									328,146	313,084	269,941
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									1,690	1,712	1,945
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	82,526	82,845	81,936	79,149	78,164	80,547	78,044	74,617	326,456	311,372	267,996
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,796,796	1,506,587	1,370,806
Net interest expense									44,926	43,131	41,084
Income before income taxes									436,229	404,620	359,748
Income taxes									161,672	152,874	138,807
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									274,557	251,746	220,941
Depreciation and amortization									59,888	50,166	45,234
Capital expenditures									57,019	43,442	38,528
United States | Regulated Waste and Compliance Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,715,437	1,408,812	1,254,486
United States | Recall and returns solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									81,359	97,775	116,320
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									758,805	636,220	542,343
Net interest expense									21,096	11,818	10,186
Income before income taxes									51,339	73,126	57,449
Income taxes									-2,250	11,788	8,449
Net Income									53,589	61,338	49,000
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests									1,690	1,712	1,945
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.									51,899	59,626	47,055
Depreciation and amortization									44,728	38,242	31,049
Capital expenditures									29,477	29,667	26,708
International [Member] | Regulated Waste and Compliance Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$758,805	$636,220	$542,343

PRODUCTS_AND_SERVICES_AND_GEOG4

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	3
Number of geographical reportable segments	2
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of geographical reportable segments	1

LEGAL_PROCEEDINGS_Details

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 02, 2014	Sep. 18, 2014
Junk Fax Lawsuit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss, per violation	$500
Notice of Violation, New Mexico Environment Department [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss, could exceed		$100,000

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$676,947	$667,877	$640,822	$569,955	$567,899	$534,579	$526,525	$513,804	$2,555,601	$2,142,807	$1,913,149
Gross profit	284,969	278,669	275,304	255,469	253,285	241,403	237,852	232,094	1,094,411	964,634
Acquisition expenses	-2,661	-3,472	-3,979	-3,221	-4,037	-2,111	-2,324	-1,803	-13,333	-10,275	-7,900
Integration expenses	-11,343	-7,461	-4,679	-2,485	-2,819	-1,423	-1,383	-896	-25,968	-6,521
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	5,405	0	836	-4,789	1,971	185	122	0	1,452	2,278	-752
Restructuring costs and plant closure expense	-10,495	-2,380	-1,115	-574	-2,012	-787	-104	0	-14,564	-2,903
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)					-1,405	0	0	0		-1,405
Litigation settlement	-3,331	-1,342	-396	-1,505	-2,120	-12	2	-106	-6,574	-2,236
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$82,526	$82,845	$81,936	$79,149	$78,164	$80,547	$78,044	$74,617	$326,456	$311,372	$267,996
Basic earnings per common share	$0.97	$0.98	$0.97	$0.93	$0.91	$0.94	$0.91	$0.87	$3.84	$3.62	$3.14
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.96	$0.96	$0.95	$0.91	$0.90	$0.92	$0.89	$0.85	$3.79	$3.56	$3.08

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL1

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance Beginning of Period	$19,134	$19,443	$18,905
Additions/(Deductions) Charged to/(from) Expenses	9,869	4,823	4,634
Other Charges/(Reversals)/Changes to Reserves	842	322	414
Write-offs/ Payments	-10,762	-5,454	-4,510
Balance End of Period	19,083	19,134	19,443
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance Beginning of Period	1,122	3,340	3,775
Additions/(Deductions) Charged to/(from) Expenses	0	-1,451	0
Other Charges/(Reversals)/Changes to Reserves	-1,066	-767	-435
Balance End of Period	$56	$1,122	$3,340