Stericycle (SRCL) 10-Q 1 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 29, 2018
Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	STERICYCLE INC
Entity Central Index Key	861,878
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	SRCL
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		90,594,855

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 854.9	$ 882.8	$ 2,633.2	$ 2,692.9
Cost of revenues	519.4	514.7	1,585.9	1,574.4
Gross profit	335.5	368.1	1,047.3	1,118.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses	267.2	274.5	862.5	1,102.7
Income from operations	68.3	93.6	184.8	15.8
Interest expense, net	(27.7)	(24.5)	(77.3)	(71.5)
Other expense, net	(6.2)	(2.3)	(6.8)	(5.5)
Income (loss) before income taxes	34.4	66.8	100.7	(61.2)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(10.9)	(27.8)	(27.1)	14.6
Net income (loss)	23.5	39	73.6	(46.6)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests			0.1	(0.2)
Net income (loss) attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	23.5	39	73.7	(46.8)
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividend	(8.4)	(8.9)	(25.5)	(27.5)
Gain on repurchases of preferred stock	2.4	5.4	16.9	14.4
Net income (loss) attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders	$ 17.5	$ 35.5	$ 65.1	$ (59.9)
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders:
Basic	$ 0.20	$ 0.42	$ 0.76	$ (0.70)
Diluted	$ 0.20	$ 0.41	$ 0.76	$ (0.70)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	86.7	85.3	85.9	85.3
Diluted	86.8	85.6	86.1	85.3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 23.5	$ 39	$ 73.6	$ (46.6)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3	30.2	(56.9)	80.8
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, net of tax expense ($0.1 and $0.2, and $0.3 and $0.5) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)	0.3	0.3	0.8	0.8
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax expense ($0.0 and $0.0, and $0.0 and $0.1 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively)				0.2
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	3.3	30.5	(56.1)	81.8
Comprehensive Income	26.8	69.5	17.5	35.2
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		0.4	(0.7)	1.1
Comprehensive income attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders	$ 26.8	$ 69.1	$ 18.2	$ 34.1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, tax expense	$ 0.1	$ 0.2	$ 0.3	$ 0.5
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, tax expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 52	$ 42.2
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $70.2 in 2018 and $65.2 in 2017	607.4	624.1
Prepaid expenses	94.5	80
Other current assets	49.2	46.3
Assets held for sale		20.8
Total Current Assets	803.1	813.4
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $691.1 in 2018 and $603.2 in 2017	755.1	741
Goodwill	3,613.8	3,604
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $473.5 in 2018 and $392.5 in 2017	1,670.6	1,791.5
Other assets	60.3	38.4
Total Assets	6,902.9	6,988.3
Current Liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	109.3	119.5
Bank overdrafts	7.9	7
Accounts payable	222.8	195.2
Accrued liabilities	358.5	588.1
Other current liabilities	50.8	54.5
Liabilities held for sale		5.1
Total Current Liabilities	749.3	969.4
Long-term debt, net	2,720.8	2,615.3
Deferred income taxes	380.6	371.1
Long-term taxes payable	54.4	55.8
Other liabilities	65.2	68.1
Total Liabilities	3,970.3	4,079.7
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share, 1.0 shares authorized), mandatory convertible preferred stock, Series A, 0.0 and 0.7 issued and outstanding in 2018 and 2017, respectively
Common stock (par value $0.01 per share, 120.0 shares authorized, 90.6 and 85.5 issued and outstanding in 2018 and 2017, respectively)	0.9	0.9
Additional paid-in capital	1,155.5	1,153.2
Retained earnings	2,107.6	2,029.5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(342.5)	(287)
Total Stericycle, Inc.’s Equity	2,921.5	2,896.6
Noncontrolling interests	11.1	12
Total Equity	2,932.6	2,908.6
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 6,902.9	$ 6,988.3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 70.2	$ 65.2
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	691.1	603.2
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 473.5	$ 392.5
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	700,000
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0	700,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	90,600,000	85,500,000
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	90,600,000	85,500,000

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 23.5	$ 39	$ 73.6	$ (46.6)	$ 43
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities			89.9	392
Depreciation	32.1	30.4	95.6	88.7
Intangible amortization	31.8	29.9	96.6	88.5	118.4
Stock-based compensation expense	6.7	5.4	19.5	17.3
Deferred income taxes			9.5	(156.2)
Asset impairment charges and loss on disposal of assets held for sale			26.8	28.1
Other, net			(2.9)	1.2
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable			(1.8)	17.1
Prepaid expenses			(22.5)	(6.7)
Accounts payable			17.8	(3.3)
Accrued liabilities			(226.2)	364.1
Other assets and liabilities			3.9	(0.2)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures			(96.9)	(91.7)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(39.6)	(23.8)
Proceeds from divestitures of businesses			25.2	1.2
Other, net			1.9	0.6
Net cash from investing activities			(109.4)	(113.7)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of long-term debt and other obligations			(44.9)	(46.4)
Proceeds from foreign bank debt			8.7	2.5
Repayment of foreign bank debt			(14.9)	(19)
Repayment of term loan			(35.6)	(100)
Proceeds from senior credit facility			1,334.2	1,269.3
Repayment of senior credit facility			(1,189.1)	(1,336.5)
Proceeds from bank overdrafts, net			0.9	18.2
Payments of capital lease obligations			(5.1)	(2.7)
Payments of deferred financing costs				(2.7)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net			20.1	5
Payments for repurchase of mandatory convertible preferred stock			(17.2)	(30.8)
Dividends paid on mandatory convertible preferred stock	(8.4)	(8.9)	(25.5)	(27.5)
Payments to noncontrolling interest			(0.2)	(0.7)
Net cash from financing activities			31.4	(271.3)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(2.1)	1
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			9.8	8
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			42.2	44.2	44.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 52	$ 52.2	52	52.2	$ 42.2
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Net issuances of obligations for acquisitions			27.7	7.8
Capital expenditures in accounts payable			18.2	4.5
Interest paid during the period, net of capitalized interest			62.2	58.9
Income taxes paid during the period, net of refunds			$ 21.5	$ 123.2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 2,816.4		$ 0.8	$ 1,166.5	$ 2,006.1	$ (367.6)	$ 10.6
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		0.7	85.2
Net income	43				42.4		0.6
Currency translation adjustment	80.5					79.3	1.2
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	1.3					1.3
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options and employee stock purchases, net	17.3		$ 0.1	17.2
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options and employee stock purchases, net			0.3
Repurchase and cancellation of convertible preferred stock	(34.2)			(51.5)	17.3
Preferred stock dividend	(36.3)				(36.3)
Stock compensation expense	21.3			21.3
Payments to noncontrolling interest	(0.7)			(0.3)			(0.4)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	2,908.6		$ 0.9	1,153.2	2,029.5	(287)	12
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		0.7	85.5
Net income	73.6				73.7		(0.1)
Currency translation adjustment	(56.9)					(56.3)	(0.6)
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax	0.8					0.8
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options and employee stock purchases, net	16.9			16.9
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options and employee stock purchases, net			0.4
Repurchase and cancellation of convertible preferred stock	(17.2)			(34.1)	16.9
Repurchase and cancellation of convertible preferred stock (in shares)		(0.1)
Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock, (in shares)		(0.6)	4.7
Preferred stock dividend	(25.5)				(25.5)
Stock compensation expense	19.5			19.5
Payments to noncontrolling interest	(0.2)						(0.2)
Cumulative effect of new accounting standard (see Note 1)	13				13
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 2,932.6		$ 0.9	$ 1,155.5	$ 2,107.6	$ (342.5)	$ 11.1
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018			90.6

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMA

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business We are a multi-national business-to-business services company with a focus on regulated and compliance solutions for healthcare, retail, and commercial businesses. This includes the collection and processing of regulated and specialized waste for disposal and the collection of personal and confidential information for secure destruction, plus a variety of training, consulting, recall/return, communication, and compliance services. We were incorporated in 1989. Today, we maintain operations in the United States (“U.S.”), Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and serve a diverse customer base of more than one million. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation: The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Stericycle, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with United States’ Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of all wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. Outside shareholders' interests in subsidiaries are shown on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as “Noncontrolling interests." The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2018 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of operations, financial position and cash flows have been made. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Form 10-K”). The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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 our allowance for doubtful accounts, credit memo reserve, accrued employee health and welfare benefits, environmental liabilities, stock-based compensation expense, income tax liabilities, accrued auto and workers’ compensation insurance claims, intangible asset valuations and goodwill impairment. 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. The following information updates the description of significant accounting policies contained in Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Highly Inflationary Economy : Effective July 1, 2018, as a result of the three-year cumulative inflation exceeding 100% and under the guidance given in ASC 830 “ Foreign Currency Matters ”, Argentina was classified as a highly inflationary economy. Accordingly, the Company recognized, in Other expense, net, a foreign exchange loss of $5.0 million arising from the remeasurement of our Argentinian peso denominated net monetary assets during the three months ended September 30, 2018. Nonmonetary assets, liabilities and related expenses are measured using historical exchange rates and do not fluctuate with changes in the local exchange rate. As of September 30, 2018, our Argentinian peso denominated net monetary assets amounted to approximately 430 million Argentinian pesos or $10.5 million. Adoption of New Accounting Standards: Revenue Recognition Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-19, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” The impact of adopting ASC 606 relates to (i) the deferral of certain costs associated with obtaining contracts with customers, which were previously expensed as incurred, but under the new guidance are capitalized as Other current assets and Other assets and amortized to Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) over the expected period of benefit to be received, (ii) the write off of deferred installation costs, which were capitalized as Prepaid expenses under legacy U.S. GAAP but are expensed as incurred under ASC 606 and (iii) an increase in Deferred income tax liabilities with respect to the tax impact associated with these items. We recognized a net increase to Retained earnings of $13.0 million as of January 1, 2018 for the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606. This was comprised of $22.9 million associated with the capitalization of contract acquisition costs offset by a $4.9 million write off of deferred installation costs and $5.0 million to recognize Deferred income tax liabilities. The impact to Income from operations from the adoption of ASC 606 was a decrease in SG&A of $1.3 million and $7.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Definition of a Business Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-01, “ Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”) Note 3 – Acquisitions, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2016-16, “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” (“ASU 2016-16”) Compensation – Stock Compensation On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”) Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted Leases In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”) Derivatives and Hedging In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “ Derivatives and Hedging” (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12” Financial Instrument Credit Losses In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “ Financial Instruments – Credit Losses” (“ASU 2016-13”) Stranded Tax Effects In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”), which allows for stranded tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) to be reclassified to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We will adopt ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-02 will result in a reclassification between accumulated other comprehensive income and retained earnings, and will have no impact on our results of operations or financial position. Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “ Goodwill and Other Intangibles- Internal Use Software – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUS

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	NOTE 2 – REVENUES FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods or services. Revenue is recognized net of revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities. The Company provides regulated and compliance services, which include the collection and processing of regulated and specialized waste for disposal, the collection of personal and confidential information for secure destruction, recall and returns (“Expert Solutions”) and communication services. The associated activities for each of these are a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over time; therefore, the respective services are treated as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue by applying the right to invoice practical expedient as our right to consideration corresponds directly to the value provided to the customer for performance to date. Revenues for our Medical Waste Solutions and Secure Information Destruction Services are recognized upon waste collection. Our Compliance Solution revenues are recognized over the contractual service period. Revenues from Hazardous Waste Solutions and Manufacturing and Industrial Services are recognized at the time the waste is received by a facility with an appropriate permit, either our processing facility or a third party. Revenues from Communication Services and Expert Solutions are recorded as the services are performed. Our customers typically enter into a contract for the provision of services on a regular and scheduled basis, e.g. weekly, monthly or on an as needed basis over the contract term. Under the contract terms, the Company receives fees based on a monthly, quarterly or annual rate or fees based on contractual rates depending upon measures including the volume, weight and type of waste, number and size of containers collected, weight and type of shredded paper and number of call minutes. Amounts are invoiced based on the terms of the underlying contract either on a regular basis, e.g., monthly or quarterly, or as services are performed and are generally due within a short period of time after invoicing based upon normal terms and conditions for our business type and the geography of the services performed. Disaggregation of Revenues The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by service and primary geographical regions, and includes a reconciliation of disaggregated revenue to revenue reported by our reportable segments, Domestic and Canada Regulated Waste and Compliance Services (“RCS”) and International RCS: In millions Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Reportable Segment Domestic and Canada RCS International RCS All Other Revenues by Service: United States Canada Europe Others United States Total Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions $ 283.4 $ 9.7 $ 58.9 $ 42.6 $ - $ 394.6 Secure Information Destruction Services 178.4 16.3 29.9 3.0 - 227.6 Manufacturing and Industrial Services 62.9 5.4 1.0 9.8 - 79.1 Hazardous Waste Solutions 82.0 - - - - 82.0 Communication Services - 3.5 4.0 - 37.2 44.7 Expert Solutions - 2.7 1.9 - 22.3 26.9 Total $ 606.7 $ 37.6 $ 95.7 $ 55.4 $ 59.5 $ 854.9 In millions Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Reportable Segment Domestic and Canada RCS International RCS All Other Revenues by Service: United States Canada Europe Others United States Total Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions $ 860.5 $ 29.4 $ 189.2 $ 143.7 $ - $ 1,222.8 Secure Information Destruction Services 528.3 49.1 91.0 9.1 - 677.5 Manufacturing and Industrial Services 186.8 16.6 15.9 33.8 - 253.1 Hazardous Waste Solutions 235.0 - - - - 235.0 Communication Services - 12.7 13.3 - 112.9 138.9 Expert Solutions - 8.9 7.0 - 90.0 105.9 Total $ 1,810.6 $ 116.7 $ 316.4 $ 186.6 $ 202.9 $ 2,633.2 Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are recorded when invoiced or when goods or services are provided. The carrying value of our receivables is presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts based on past collection history and specific risks identified among uncollected amounts. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past-due receivable balances are written off when our collection efforts have been exhausted. Contract Liabilities We record a contract liability when cash payments are received or due in advance of our services being performed. The majority of the contract liability is classified as current in Other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets since amounts are generally earned in the subsequent quarter. The contract liability at September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017 was $15.5 million, $17.4 million, and $17.9 million, respectively. Contract Acquisition Costs Our incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract, which consist primarily of sales incentives, are deferred and amortized to SG&A over the estimated period of benefit to be received from the cost, over a weighted average period of 6.3 years. We had $7.7 million and $22.8 million of contract acquisition costs, related to deferred sales incentives included in Other current assets and Other assets, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2018. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we amortized $1.8 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of deferred sales incentives to SG&A.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	NOTE 3 – ACQUISITIONS Acquisitions During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company completed 19 acquisitions, all within our Domestic and Canada RCS reportable segment, which we believe are complementary to our existing operations and fit our growth strategy. Each acquisition met the business definition in ASU 2017-01 and for financial reporting purposes was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The following table summarizes the location and services of the acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018: Service Acquisition Locations Total Number of Acquisitions Regulated Waste Secure Information Destruction United States 19 2 17 Total 19 2 17 The following table summarizes the acquisition date fair value of consideration transferred for current year acquisitions and the adjustment to the consideration transferred for the prior year acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: In millions Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Current Year Acquisitions Adjustments to Prior Year Acquisitions Total Cash, net of cash acquired $ 39.6 $ - $ 39.6 Promissory notes 27.5 - 27.5 Deferred consideration 0.6 - 0.6 Contingent consideration - (0.4 ) (0.4 ) Total purchase price $ 67.7 $ (0.4 ) $ 67.3 During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized an increase in goodwill of $42.0 million related to current year acquisitions, excluding the effect of foreign currency translation, which will be deductible for income taxes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recognized an increase in customer relationships intangibles from current year acquisitions of $22.7 million, excluding the effect of foreign currency translation, with amortizable lives of 10 to 30 years. The fair value of consideration transferred in a business combination is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets assumed at the acquisition date, with the remaining unallocated amount recorded as goodwill. The allocations of the acquisition price for recent acquisitions have been prepared on a preliminary basis, pending completion of certain intangible asset valuations and finalization of the opening balance sheets. The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocations for current year acquisitions and adjustments to purchase price allocations for prior year acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018: In millions Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Current Year Acquisitions Adjustments to Prior Year Acquisitions Total Fixed assets $ 1.8 $ 4.7 $ 6.5 Intangibles 22.7 0.6 23.3 Goodwill 42.0 (7.3 ) 34.7 Net other assets and liabilities 1.2 1.6 2.8 Total purchase price allocation $ 67.7 $ (0.4 ) $ 67.3 The results of operations of these acquired businesses have been included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) from the date of the acquisitions. Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions are not presented because the pro forma effects, individually or in the aggregate, were not material to the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations.

RESTRUCTURING, DIVESTITURES AND

RESTRUCTURING, DIVESTITURES AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING, DIVESTITURES AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE	NOTE 4 – RESTRUCTURING, DIVESTITURES AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE Restructuring - Business Transformation Stericycle is focused on driving long-term growth, profitability and delivering enhanced shareholder value. As part of our business strategy, in the third quarter of 2017, we initiated a comprehensive multi-year Business Transformation with the objective to improve long-term operational and financial performance which we expect to complete by 2022, see Note 3 - Restructuring, Divestitures, and Assets Held For Sale Note 12 – Segment Reporting During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, in connection with our evolving future information systems strategy, we recorded a $6.8 million non-cash impairment charge for software, which is reflected as part of Cost of revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The impact of accelerated amortization on software that will continue to be in use until the enterprise resource planning system is implemented is immaterial for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. The assets were held by our Domestic and Canada RCS reportable segment. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded $1.0 million in charges related to site closures/consolidation within our Domestic and Canada RCS reporting segment, which are reflected as part of Cost of revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The charges comprised $0.5 million related to lease termination fees and $0.5 million related to non-cash impairment charges for leasehold improvements. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred $0.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of severance payments related to Business Transformation. The Domestic and Canada RCS and International RCS reportable segments incurred $1.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively, with the remaining $0.2 million impacting All Other. These amounts were fully paid as of September 30, 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2017, we incurred Restructuring – Other During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded, in SG&A, severance costs of approximately $1.1 million, associated with a reduction in headcount undertaken as part of our Operational Optimization. The charges were incurred within our All Other reporting segment and the severance payments are expected to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2018. There could be additional initiatives in the future to further streamline our operations. As such, the Company expects further charges related to workforce reductions and other facility rationalization costs when those restructuring plans are finalized and related charges are estimable. Divestitures and Assets Held for Sale During the three months ended September 30 2018, we completed, as part of our portfolio rationalization, the sale of the non-core clean room service business that was part of our Domestic and Canada RCS reportable segment and which had been classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2018. The proceeds of the sale were $17.0 million resulting in a pre- and after-tax loss of approximately $0.1 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $6.9 million, comprising non-cash impairments of goodwill and customer list intangibles of $5.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and a reduction in the fair value of net assets of $0.6 million, which are reflected in SG&A in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) in connection with reclassifying the assets and liabilities as held for sale during the second quarter of 2018. In the second quarter of 2018, the Company completed the sale of a business in the U.K. for consideration of approximately $11.5 million of which $8.2 million was received in cash and $3.3 million is held in escrow, subject to release upon renewal of a lease held by the sold business. Prior to sale, we had recorded non-cash impairment charges of $14.8 million in connection with reclassifying the assets and liabilities as held for sale and subsequent changes in the fair value of these assets: $4.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018; $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017; and $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. These charges are included in SG&A in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) in the respective periods. In addition, the consideration received is subject to a potential adjustment based on the determination of the final net assets transferred under the sale agreement. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company has recorded a charge of $0.4 million as an estimate of its exposure to this adjustment, which is reflected in SG&A in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we sold certain assets in the U.K. for $1.2 million, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $5.6 million ($4.5 million, net of tax), related to non-cash asset impairment charges arising from changes in the fair value of assets held for sale, which is included in SG&A in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). There were no assets or liabilities that were classified as held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2018.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	NOTE 5 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill: Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment and for the “All Other” category were as follows: In millions Domestic and Canada RCS International RCS All Other Total Balance as of January 1, 2017 $ 2,811.8 $ 498.4 $ 280.8 $ 3,591.0 Goodwill acquired during year 36.9 4.9 4.7 46.5 Purchase accounting adjustments (10.1 ) 1.2 1.5 (7.4 ) Impairments during the year - (65.0 ) - (65.0 ) Impairments related to disposition and assets held for sale - (7.1 ) - (7.1 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations 11.6 34.4 - 46.0 Balance as of December 31, 2017 2,850.2 466.8 287.0 3,604.0 Goodwill acquired during period 42.0 - - 42.0 Purchase accounting adjustments (6.5 ) - (0.8 ) (7.3 ) Impairments related to disposition and assets held for sale (see Note 4) (5.8 ) (0.1 ) - (5.9 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations (4.0 ) (15.0 ) - (19.0 ) Balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 2,875.9 $ 451.7 $ 286.2 $ 3,613.8 Current period adjustments to goodwill for certain prior year acquisitions are primarily due to the finalization, with the assistance of third party valuation specialists, of intangible asset valuations among other opening balance sheet adjustments. Other Intangible Assets: As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the values of other intangible assets were as follows: In millions September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Value Amortizable intangibles: Customer relationships $ 1,593.6 $ 466.4 $ 1,127.2 $ 1,613.4 $ 381.4 $ 1,232.0 Covenants not-to-compete 4.1 2.8 1.3 7.9 5.9 2.0 Tradenames 4.0 1.2 2.8 6.0 1.8 4.2 Other 11.9 3.1 8.8 17.0 3.4 13.6 Indefinite lived intangibles: Operating permits 215.9 - 215.9 222.3 - 222.3 Tradenames 314.6 - 314.6 317.4 - 317.4 Total $ 2,144.1 $ 473.5 $ 1,670.6 $ 2,184.0 $ 392.5 $ 1,791.5 Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets were as follows: In millions Total Balance as of January 1, 2017 $ 1,862.0 Intangible assets acquired during the year 28.2 Valuation adjustments for prior year acquisitions 7.9 Amounts reclassified to assets held for sale (2.6 ) Impairments during the year (21.0 ) Amortization during the year (118.4 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations 35.4 Balance as of December 31, 2017 1,791.5 Intangible assets acquired during the period 22.7 Valuation adjustments for prior year acquisitions 0.6 Amounts reclassified to assets held for sale (14.4 ) Impairments during the period (5.7 ) Amortization during the period (96.6 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations (27.5 ) Balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 1,670.6 In the second quarter of Note 4 – Restructuring, Divestitures and Assets Held For Sale During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we impaired $0.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of tradenames, $0.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of operating permits, and $0.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of customer relationships in our International RCS segment, due to decisions to rationalize certain operations. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets include permits and certain tradenames. We have determined that our permits and certain tradenames have indefinite lives due to our ability to renew them with minimal additional cost, and therefore these are not amortized. Our finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method. Our customer relationships have useful lives ranging from 10 to 30 years, based upon the type of customer, and a weighted average remaining useful life of 11.0 years. We have covenants not-to-compete with useful lives ranging from 5 to 14 years and a weighted average remaining useful life of 2.2 years. Our tradenames have useful lives ranging from 4 to 40 years and a weighted average remaining useful life of 17.7 years. Other intangibles mainly consist of landfill air rights with a remaining useful life of 16.0 years. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the aggregate intangible asset amortization expense was $31.8 million and $29.9 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the aggregate intangible asset amortization expense was $96.6 million and $88.5 million, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years (based upon exchange rates at September 30, 2018) is as follows for the years ended December 31: In millions 2018 $ 127.4 2019 $ 127.5 2020 $ 126.8 2021 $ 126.4 2022 $ 126.2

DEBT

DEBT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	NOTE 6 – DEBT Long-term debt consisted of the following: In millions September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Obligations under capital leases $ 24.3 $ 9.4 $1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 3.56% at 2018 and 2.55% at 2017, due in 2022 613.7 471.7 $950 million term loan weighted average rate 3.78% at 2018 and 2.83% at 2017, due in 2022 914.4 950.0 $125 million private placement notes 3.18% at 2018 and 2.68% at 2017, due in 2019 125.0 125.0 $225 million private placement notes 4.97% at 2018 and 4.47% at 2017, due in 2020 225.0 225.0 $150 million private placement notes 3.39% at 2018 and 2.89% at 2017, due in 2021 150.0 150.0 $125 million private placement notes 3.76% at 2018 and 3.26% at 2017, due in 2022 125.0 125.0 $200 million private placement notes 3.22% at 2018 and 2.72% at 2017, due in 2022 200.0 200.0 $100 million private placement notes 3.29% at 2018 and 2.79% at 2017, due in 2023 100.0 100.0 $150 million private placement notes 3.68% at 2018 and 3.18% at 2017, due in 2023 150.0 150.0 Promissory notes and deferred consideration weighted average rate 1.69% at 2018 and 1.49% at 2017 and weighted average maturity 2.8 years at 2018 and 2.9 years at 2017 136.7 155.9 Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 5.61% at 2018 and 6.11% at 2017 and weighted average maturity 2.2 years at 2018 and 1.7 years at 2017 75.9 85.2 Total debt 2,840.0 2,747.2 Less: current portion of total debt 109.3 119.5 Less: unamortized debt issuance costs 9.9 12.4 Long-term portion of total debt $ 2,720.8 $ 2,615.3 Our senior credit facility, term loan, and the private placement notes all require us to comply with the same financial, reporting and other covenants and restrictions, including a restriction on dividend payments. At September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with all of our financial debt covenants. Our senior credit facility, term loan, and private placement notes rank pari passu to each other and all other unsecured debt obligations. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had $119.5 million and $130.8 million, respectively, committed to outstanding letters of credit under our senior credit facility. The unused portion of the revolving credit facility was $466.8 million and $597.5 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The obligations under the senior credit facility, term loan, and the private placement notes agreements are unsecured. All of these agreements contain a financial covenant to maintain a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of 3.75 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter. Following the $295.0 million payment with respect to the small quantity (“SQ”) medical waste customer class action settlement (see Note 14 – Legal Proceedings On March 23, 2018, the Company entered into certain amendments to its senior credit facility, term loan, and private placement note agreements related to the definition of EBITDA (as described in the credit agreements). The amendments allow for certain add-backs, up to a maximum of $200.0 million on a trailing twelve month basis, related to cash charges associated with Business Transformation, Operational Optimization and litigation matters, to the calculation of EBITDA for debt covenant compliance purposes. These amendments are in effect from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019. The interest rate calculation related to these agreements is subject to adjustment based on unadjusted leverage, which is calculated excluding the add-backs. If this unadjusted leverage is above 4.00, the interest rate on the senior credit facility and term loan would increase by 0.25%. If the unadjusted leverage is above 3.75, the interest rate on the private placement notes would increase by: a) 0.50% if the Company has a rating of BBB or better by S&P (or an equivalent rating by another rating agency), b) an additional 0.25% if the Company has a rating of BBB- by S&P (or an equivalent rating by another rating agency), for a total of 0.75% above the rate otherwise applicable to such series of notes, and c) an additional 0.50% if the Company has no rating or a rating of BB+ or worse by S&P (or an equivalent rating by another rating agency), for a total of 1.25% above the rate otherwise applicable to such series of notes. T he Company triggered the interest rate adjustment in a) above related to the private placement notes during the second quarter of 2018 and triggered the interest rate adjustment related to the senior credit facility and term loan during the third quarter of 2018. As a result the interest rate charged on the private placement notes was increased by 0.50% and the rate charged on the senior credit facility and term loan was increased by 0.25%. The Company applied the provisions of ASC 470-50, “Modifications and Extinguishments”

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 7 – INCOME TAXES The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were 31.7% and 41.6%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were 26.9% and 23.9%, respectively. The decrease in the tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017 is a result of the reduction in the U.S. federal tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% in accordance with the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “U.S. Tax Act”) effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, partially offset by the non-deductibility of the foreign exchange loss recorded for the impact of the change in functional currency of our operations in Argentina (see Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB118”) and Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-05 “ Income Taxes (Topic 740), Amendments to SEC paragraphs pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 The $295.0 million SQ customer class action settlement payment, made in the third quarter, of 2018 is a current year tax deduction which we anticipate will result in the generation of a net operating loss on our U.S. federal tax return that will be carried forward to future years and is expected to be fully utilized. The current year deduction also causes a limitation of our deductible interest expense in 2018. Based upon our current forecast, the deferred tax asset related to this excess interest expense limitation is expected to be approximately $13.8 million. This excess amount will also be carried forward and is expected to be fully utilized. In addition, the Company is reviewing the overall tax treatment associated with the SQ customer class action settlement payment and the applicable tax rate to apply as a result of the U.S. Tax Act. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S., in various states and in certain foreign jurisdictions. The Company has recorded liabilities to cover certain uncertain tax positions. Such uncertain 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 uncertain tax positions as deemed necessary. During the first quarter of 2018, the IRS completed the audit of our 2014 corporate income tax return and made no changes to our reported tax.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS The following table summarizes the basis used to measure financial assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: In millions Fair Value Measurements Using Total as of September 30, 2018 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Assets: Derivative financial instruments $ 0.2 $ - $ 0.2 $ - Total assets $ 0.2 $ - $ 0.2 $ - Liabilities: Contingent consideration $ 10.2 $ - $ - $ 10.2 Total liabilities $ 10.2 $ - $ - $ 10.2 In millions Fair Value Measurements Using Total as of December 31, 2017 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Assets: Derivative financial instruments $ 0.4 $ - $ 0.4 $ - Total assets $ 0.4 $ - $ 0.4 $ - Liabilities: Contingent consideration $ 12.4 $ - $ - $ 12.4 Total liabilities $ 12.4 $ - $ - $ 12.4 For our derivative financial instruments, we use a market approach valuation technique based on observable market transactions of spot and forward rates. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we recorded an asset of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to the fair value of the U.S. dollar-Canadian dollar foreign currency swap which was classified as Other assets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The objective of the swap is to offset the foreign exchange risk to the U.S. dollar equivalent cash outflows for our Canadian subsidiary. Our contingent consideration liabilities are recorded using Level 3 inputs and were $10.2 million as of September 30, 2018, of which $2.7 million was classified as Other current liabilities. Contingent consideration liabilities were $12.4 million at December 31, 2017, of which $4.6 million was classified as Other current liabilities. The remaining long-term amounts are classified as Other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Contingent consideration represents amounts expected to be paid as part of acquisition consideration only if certain future events occur. These events are usually the achievement of targets for revenues, earnings, or other milestones related to the business acquired. We arrive at the fair value of contingent consideration by applying a weighted probability of potential payment outcomes. 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 $13.4 million as of September 30, 2018. Contingent consideration liabilities are reassessed each reporting period. Changes to contingent consideration were as follows: In millions Contingent consideration as of January 1, 2017 $ 24.1 Increase due to current year acquisitions 0.1 Purchase accounting adjustments (9.6 ) Decrease due to payments (1.5 ) Change in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses (0.4 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations and other (0.3 ) Contingent consideration as of December 31, 2017 12.4 Purchase accounting adjustments (0.4 ) Decrease due to payments (1.3 ) Change in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses 0.2 Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations (0.7 ) Contingent consideration as of September 30, 2018 $ 10.2 In addition, to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company is required to record certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally as result of acquisitions or the remeasurement of assets resulting in impairment charges. See Note 3 – Acquisitions Note 4 – Restructuring, Divestitures and Assets Held for Sale, Fair Value of Debt: At September 30, 2018, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated, using Level 2 inputs, at $2.79 billion compared to a carrying amount of $2.84 billion. The fair value was estimated using an income approach by applying market interest rates for comparable instruments. Accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are financial assets and liabilities, respectively, with carrying values that approximate fair value.

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION	NOTE 9 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Stock-Based Compensation Expense: The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock option awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”), and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss): In millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Selling, general and administrative - stock option plan $ 2.5 $ 3.7 $ 8.4 $ 11.6 Selling, general and administrative - RSUs 2.0 1.2 5.8 4.1 Selling, general and administrative - PSUs 1.9 0.2 4.5 0.6 Selling, general and administrative - ESPP 0.3 0.3 0.8 1.0 Total pre-tax expense $ 6.7 $ 5.4 $ 19.5 $ 17.3 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 options with graded vesting is recognized using the straight line method over the vesting period. Stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows: Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Total Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in years) (in millions) Outstanding at January 1, 2018 5,393,417 $ 96.91 Granted 362,382 62.06 Exercised (311,792 ) 49.78 Forfeited (191,322 ) 103.38 Canceled or expired (255,538 ) 105.88 Outstanding as of September 30, 2018 4,997,147 $ 96.61 4.23 $ 3.0 Exercisable as of September 30, 2018 3,557,911 $ 96.39 3.61 $ 3.0 At September 30, 2018, there was $21.9 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.75 years. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the intrinsic value of options exercised was $3.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the intrinsic value of options exercised was $4.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The exercise intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the fair value on the trading day the option was exercised and the exercise price associated with the respective option). 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 option pricing model was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Stock options granted (shares) 1,712 18,015 362,382 454,799 Weighted average fair value at grant date $ 18.09 $ 17.83 $ 16.87 $ 19.48 Assumptions: Expected term (in years) 4.89 4.83 4.89 4.82 Expected volatility 25.68 % 22.95 % 25.34 % 22.68 % Expected dividend yield — % — % — % — % Risk free interest rate 2.74 % 1.81 % 2.58 % 1.90 % Restricted Stock Units: The fair value of 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 generally vest over five years. A summary of the status of our non-vested RSUs and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, are as follows: Number of Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Total Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in years) (in millions) Non-vested at January 1, 2018 267,297 $ 89.74 Granted 293,698 62.23 Vested and Released (62,313 ) 88.29 Forfeited (56,151 ) 74.89 Non-vested as of June 30, 2018 442,531 $ 73.28 2.08 $ 26.0 At September 30, 2018, there was $25.7 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.7 years. The fair value of RSUs that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $4.2 million. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units: Our executive officers have been granted PSUs. These PSUs vest, or not, in three equal annual installments based on the achievement of pre-determined annual earnings per share performance goals, as approved by the Compensation Committee. In addition, certain employees have been granted PSUs which vest, or not, in four equal annual installments based on the achievement of performance goals related to the Business Transformation, as approved by the Compensation Committee. Each of the units granted represent the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock at a specified future date. A summary of the status of our non-vested PSUs and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, are as follows: Number of Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2018 11,149 $ 82.85 Granted 131,182 63.92 Vested and Released - - Forfeited (24,579 ) 72.23 Non-vested as of September 30, 2018 117,752 $ 63.98 At September 30, 2018, there was approximately $1.7 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the 2018 installments of PSUs. At September 30, 2018, approximately 315,000 of additional installments of PSUs exist which will vest based on achievement of performance goals to be established for fiscal years 2019 through 2021.

PREFERRED STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
PREFERRED STOCK	NOTE 10 – PREFERRED STOCK At September 30, 2018, we had 1,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock and zero shares issued and outstanding of mandatory convertible preferred stock. We declared and paid dividends of $8.4 million and $8.9 million to the preferred shareholders during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We declared and paid dividends of $25.5 million and $27.5 million to the preferred shareholders during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The following table provides information about our repurchases of depository shares of mandatory convertible preferred stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: In millions, except share and per share data Number of Depository Shares Repurchased Amount Paid for Repurchases Average Price Paid per Share January 1 - January 31, 2018 - $ - $ - February 1 - February 28 , 2018 151,900 7.4 49.05 March 1 - March 31 , 2018 - - - April 1 - April 30 , 2018 - - - May 1 - May 31 , 2018 150,000 7.4 $ 49.24 June 1 - June 30 , 2018 - - - July 1 - July 31 , 2018 - - - August 1 - August 31, 2018 50,000 2.4 47.05 September 1 - September 30 , 2018 - - - Total 351,900 $ 17.2 $ 48.85 For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, repurchases of our mandatory convertible preferred stock resulted in a $16.9 million and $14.4 million, respectively, increase in retained earnings, as we redeemed the preferred stock at a discount. The 351,900 depository shares purchased in 2018 were equivalent to 35,190 units of preferred stock. On September 14, 2018, in accordance with their terms of issue, 638,190 shares of the Company’s Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A”), representing all of the preferred stock outstanding as of that date, were converted into a total of 4.7 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a ratio of 7.3394 shares of our common stock for each share of Series A.

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHAR

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	NOTE 11 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) 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, RSUs, PSUs and, the impact of the Series A prior to conversion on September 14, 2018. The effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the "treasury stock method" for outstanding stock-based compensation awards. 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. For the issue of Series A, we used the "if-converted method", weighted for the period prior to conversion. Under the if-converted method, the preferred dividend applicable to Series A was added back as an adjustment to the numerator. The Series A shares were assumed to be converted to common shares at the beginning of the period or, if later, at the time of issuance, and for periods including the conversion date of September 14, 2018 these common shares are weighted for the period the Series A was outstanding with the resulting weighted average common shares included in the denominator. In applying the if-converted method, conversion shall not be assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share if the effect would be anti-dilutive. The numerator is also adjusted for any premium or discount arising from redemption of the preferred stock. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: In millions, except per share data Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Numerator: Net income (loss) attributable to Stericycle, Inc. $ 23.5 $ 39.0 $ 73.7 $ (46.8 ) Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividend (8.4 ) (8.9 ) (25.5 ) (27.5 ) Gain on repurchases of preferred stock 2.4 5.4 16.9 14.4 Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders $ 17.5 $ 35.5 $ 65.1 $ (59.9 ) Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted average shares (1) 86.7 85.3 85.9 85.3 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock-based compensation awards 0.1 0.3 0.2 - Mandatory convertible preferred stock (2) - - - - Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share - adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises 86.8 85.6 86.1 85.3 Earnings (loss) per share – Basic $ 0.20 $ 0.42 $ 0.76 $ (0.70 ) Earnings (loss) per share – Diluted (3) $ 0.20 $ 0.41 $ 0.76 $ (0.70 ) (1) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, the denominator for basic earnings per share includes 0.8 million and 0.3 million shares, respectively, representing the weighted-average impact of the common shares outstanding subsequent to the Series A conversion on September 14, 2018. (2) The weighted average common shares (in thousands) issuable upon the assumed conversion (as discussed above) of the Series A totaling 3,918 and 5,049 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and 4,526 and 5,152 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and (3) Due to the net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, dilutive loss per share is the same as basic. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, options to purchase shares (in thousands) of 4,631 and 4,697, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, options to purchase shares (in thousands) of 4,743 and 4,732, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, 307 incremental shares (in thousands) related to stock options were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because of the net loss during this period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, RSUs (in thousands) of 151 and 47, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, RSUs (in thousands) of 226 and 49, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, incremental shares related to RSUs (in thousands) of 18 were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because of the net loss during this period. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, all of the Company’s outstanding PSUs were subject to the achievement of specified performance conditions. Contingently issuable shares are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share if, based on current period results, the shares would not be issuable if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period. These outstanding PSUs were excluded from the earnings (loss) per share calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 as the performance conditions were not satisfied as of the end of the respective periods.

SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT REPORTING	NOTE 12 – SEGMENT REPORTING Our reportable segments are: • Domestic and Canada RCS • International RCS • All Other (which includes Domestic CRS, Corporate and shared services) Our Domestic and Canada, and International Regulated Waste and Compliance Services segments include medical waste disposal, pharmaceutical waste disposal, hazardous waste management, sustainability solutions for expired or unused inventory, secure information destruction of documents and e-media, training and consulting through our Steri-Safe® and Clinical Services programs, and other regulatory compliance services. All Other includes operations which consists of services including inbound/outbound communication, automated patient reminders, online scheduling, notifications, product retrievals, product returns, and quality audits, as well as expenses related to Corporate support, shared services functions, and stock-based compensation. Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, we have changed our measure of segment profitability to Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Adjusted EBITDA is Income from operations excluding certain specified items, Depreciation and Intangible Amortization. As a result of this change in segment reporting, all applicable historical segment information has been revised to conform to the new presentation. The following tables show financial information for the Company's reportable segments: In millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Revenues Domestic and Canada RCS $ 644.3 $ 634.7 $ 1,927.3 $ 1,917.5 International RCS 151.1 174.6 503.0 536.2 All Other 59.5 73.5 202.9 239.2 Total $ 854.9 $ 882.8 $ 2,633.2 $ 2,692.9 Gross Profit Domestic and Canada RCS $ 261.5 $ 276.7 $ 786.2 $ 839.7 International RCS 49.9 55.0 169.7 170.0 All Other 24.1 36.4 91.4 108.8 Total $ 335.5 $ 368.1 $ 1,047.3 $ 1,118.5 Depreciation Domestic and Canada RCS $ 19.0 $ 17.6 $ 56.7 $ 50.8 International RCS 6.7 7.8 21.4 23.4 All Other 6.4 5.0 17.5 14.5 Total $ 32.1 $ 30.4 $ 95.6 $ 88.7 Intangible Amortization Domestic and Canada RCS $ 23.7 $ 22.0 $ 71.1 $ 65.6 International RCS 6.0 5.9 19.2 16.8 All Other 2.1 2.0 6.3 6.1 Total $ 31.8 $ 29.9 $ 96.6 $ 88.5 Adjusted EBITDA Domestic and Canada RCS $ 196.6 $ 202.6 $ 583.4 $ 619.7 International RCS 20.9 23.5 80.8 77.4 All Other (33.6 ) (19.9 ) (100.1 ) (79.1 ) Total $ 183.9 $ 206.2 $ 564.1 $ 618.0 The following table reconciles the Company's primary measure of segment profitability (Adjusted EBITDA) to Income from operations: In millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Domestic and Canada RCS Adjusted EBITDA $ 196.6 $ 202.6 $ 583.4 $ 619.7 International RCS Adjusted EBITDA 20.9 23.5 80.8 77.4 All Other Adjusted EBITDA (33.6 ) (19.9 ) (100.1 ) (79.1 ) Depreciation (32.1 ) (30.4 ) (95.6 ) (88.7 ) Business Transformation (21.0 ) (4.2 ) (64.9 ) (4.2 ) Intangible Amortization (31.8 ) (29.9 ) (96.6 ) (88.5 ) Acquisition and Integration (1.6 ) (10.8 ) (7.5 ) (33.5 ) Operational Optimization (3.6 ) (16.0 ) (19.5 ) (52.4 ) Divestitures (2.0 ) (9.1 ) (19.1 ) (12.7 ) Litigation, Settlements and Regulatory Compliance (17.3 ) (1.3 ) (61.2 ) (304.9 ) Other (6.2 ) (10.9 ) (14.9 ) (17.3 ) Income from operations $ 68.3 $ 93.6 $ 184.8 $ 15.8 The following table presents consolidated revenues by service: In millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Regulated Waste and Compliance Services $ 476.6 $ 502.5 $ 1,457.8 $ 1,525.9 Secure Information Destruction Services 227.6 204.7 677.5 621.2 Manufacturing and Industrial Services 79.1 86.6 253.1 260.4 Communication and Related Services 71.6 89.0 244.8 285.4 Revenues $ 854.9 $ 882.8 $ 2,633.2 $ 2,692.9

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIABI

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIABILITIES	NOTE 13 – 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 uncertain. Such accruals are based on currently available information, estimated timing of remedial actions, existing technology, and applicable laws and regulations. The liability for environmental remediation is included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in current liabilities within Accrued liabilities and in noncurrent liabilities within Other liabilities. At September 30, 2018 the total environmental remediation liabilities recorded were $31.0 million, of which $3.2 million were presented in Accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2017, the total environmental remediation liabilities recorded were $30.8 million, of which $5.7 million were presented in Accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We project payments over approximately 30 years. During the second quarter of 2017, we recorded an environmental liability of $2.0 million related to a portion of a hazardous waste facility in Mexico. We continue to assess the level of remediation, as well as other potentially responsible parties, and will adjust our estimate in the future as appropriate.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	NOTE 14 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We operate in highly regulated industries and must deal with regulatory inquiries or investigations from time to time that may be initiated for a variety of reasons. We are also involved in a variety of civil litigation from time to time. The Company establishes an accrued liability for loss contingencies related to legal and regulatory matters when the loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. If a loss is not probable or a probable loss is not reasonably estimable, no liability is recorded. These accruals represent management’s best estimate of probable losses and, in such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of the amounts accrued. Legal and regulatory matters inherently involve significant uncertainties based on, among other factors, the stage of the proceedings, developments in the applicable facts or law, and the unpredictability of the ultimate determination of the merits of any claim, any defenses the Company may assert against that claim and the amount of any damages that may be awarded. The Company’s accrued liabilities for loss contingencies related to legal and regulatory matters may change in the future as a result of new developments, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of new legal matters, changes in the law or regulatory environment, adverse or favorable rulings, newly discovered facts relevant to the matter, or changes in the strategy for the matter. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on the Company because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors. Contract Class Action Lawsuits. 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 alleged, among other things, that we had 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 arose out of the qui tam (or “whistle blower”) action captioned United States of America ex rel. Jennifer D. Perez v. Stericycle, Inc., Case No. 1:08-cv-2390, which was settled in the fourth quarter of 2015 as previously disclosed. Following the filing of the Pennsylvania class action complaint, we were served with class action complaints filed in federal and state courts in several jurisdictions. 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 granted our Motion to Transfer these related actions to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for centralized pretrial proceedings (the “MDL Action”). On December 10, 2013, we filed our answer to the Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint in the MDL Action, generally denying the allegations therein. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a Second Amended Consolidated Complaint on March 8, 2016, and we filed an answer to that pleading on March 25, 2016, generally denying the allegations therein and asserting a variety of affirmative defenses. Plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification on January 29, 2016. On February 16, 2017, the Court entered an order granting plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The Court certified a class of “[a]ll persons and entities that, between March 8, 2003 through the date of trial resided in the United States (except Washington and Alaska), were identified by Stericycle as ‘Small Quantity’ or ‘SQ’ customer, and were charged and paid more than their contractually-agreed price for Stericycle’s medical waste disposal goods and services pursuant to Stericycle’s automated price increase policy. Governmental entities whose claims were asserted in United States ex rel. Perez v. Stericycle Inc. shall be excluded from the class.” On March 2, 2017, Stericycle filed a motion for reconsideration and clarification relating to the Court’s class certification decision. The parties engaged in discussions through and overseen by a mediator regarding a potential resolution of the matter and reached an agreement in principle for settlement in July 2017 (the “Proposed MDL Settlement”). As we disclosed in a current report on Form 8-K filed on August 2, 2017, the terms of the Proposed MDL Settlement provided that the Company would establish a common fund of $295.0 million from which will be paid all compensation to members of the settlement class, attorneys’ fees to class counsel, incentive awards to the named class representatives and all costs of notice and administration. It also provided that our existing contracts with customers would remain in force, while we would also establish as part of the Proposed MDL Settlement guidelines for future price increases and provide customers additional transparency regarding such increases. The Proposed MDL Settlement also addressed additional matters, including the availability of alternative dispute resolution for members of the settlement class. In the Proposed MDL Settlement, we admitted no fault or wrongdoing whatsoever. We entered into the Proposed MDL Settlement in order to avoid the cost and uncertainty of litigation. In view of the Proposed MDL Settlement, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $295.0 million during the second quarter of 2017. On October 17, 2017, the Company executed a definitive written settlement agreement (the “Settlement”), which incorporated the terms of the agreement in principle announced in August 2017. The Settlement incorporated the terms of the Proposed MDL Settlement, described above, and proposes a global resolution of all cases and claims against the Company in the MDL Action, including the allegation that price increases implemented by the Company allegedly violated the contracts between the Company and its customers as well as various state consumer protection statutes. Under the terms of the Settlement, the Company admitted no fault or wrongdoing whatsoever, and it entered into the Settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of litigation. The Settlement provided that, upon final approval by the Court following a fairness hearing, it would fully and finally resolve all claims against the Company alleged in the MDL Action. On October 17, 2017, plaintiffs in the MDL Action filed Plaintiffs’ Unopposed Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Settlement and Approval of Notice Plan. Following a hearing on October 26, 2017, the Court granted preliminary approval of the Settlement and set certain deadlines, including for notification of the class of the terms of the Settlement, the submission of opt-outs or objections to the Settlement, and a fairness hearing. The fairness hearing was held on March 8, 2018. The Court granted approval of the Proposed MDL Settlement that same day. The Court entered final judgment on May 8, 2018. No appeal was filed, and the Proposed MDL Settlement became finally effective on June 7, 2018 (the “Final Settlement”). The Company funded the Final Settlement on July 6, 2018. Certain class members who have opted out of the Final Settlement have filed lawsuits against the Company, and the Company will defend and resolve those actions. The Company has accrued its estimate of the probable loss for these collective matters, which is not material. Securities Class Action Lawsuit. On July 11, 2016, two purported stockholders filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The plaintiffs purported to sue for themselves and on behalf of all purchasers of our publicly traded securities between February 7, 2013 and April 28, 2016, inclusive, and all those who purchased securities in our public offering of depositary shares, each representing a 1/10th interest in a share of our mandatory convertible preferred stock, on or around September 15, 2015. The complaint named as defendants the Company, our directors and certain of our current and former officers, and certain of the underwriters in the public offering. The complaint purports to assert claims under Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as SEC Rule 10b-5, promulgated thereunder. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the Company imposed unauthorized or excessive price increases and other charges on its customers in breach of its contracts, and that defendants failed to disclose those alleged practices in public filings and other statements issued during the proposed class period beginning February 7, 2013 and ending April 28, 2016. On August 4, 2016, plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint that purports to assert additional misrepresentations in public statements through July 28, 2016, and therefore to change the putative class period to the period from February 7, 2013 to July 28, 2016, inclusive. On October 21, 2016, plaintiffs filed a Corrected Amended Complaint adding the Company as a named defendant in plaintiff’s claim under Section 11 of the Securities Act, which had previously been asserted only against the Underwriters and certain officers and directors. On November 1, 2016, the Court appointed the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi and the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System as Lead Plaintiffs and their counsel as Lead Counsel. On February 1, 2017, Lead Plaintiff filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint with additional purported factual material supporting the same legal claims from the prior complaints for a class period from February 7, 2013 through September 18, 2016. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint on April 1, 2017. On May 19, 2017, plaintiffs filed a response in opposition to the motion to dismiss and on June 19, 2017, Defendants filed a reply brief in support of their motion. On March 31, 2018, plaintiffs filed a further Amended Complaint, alleging additional corrective disclosures and extending the purported class period through February 21, 2018. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint on May 25, 2018. The Motion was fully briefed on July 13, 2018, and we await a ruling by the Court. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against this lawsuit. We have not accrued any amounts in respect of this lawsuit, 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) we do not know whether the court will certify any class of plaintiffs or, if any class is certified, how the class would be defined, and (iii) in our judgment, the factual and legal allegations asserted by plaintiffs are sufficiently unique that we are unable to identify other proceedings with circumstances sufficiently comparable to provide guidance in making estimates. Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits. On September 1, 2016, a purported stockholder filed a putative derivative action complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois against certain officers and directors of the Company, naming the Company as nominal defendant. The complaint alleges that defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders by causing the Company to allegedly overcharge certain customers in breach of those customers’ contracts, otherwise provide unsatisfactory customer service and injure customer relationships, and make materially false and misleading statements and omissions regarding the Company’s business, operational and compliance policies between February 7, 2013 and the present. On March 1, 2017, another purported stockholder filed a putative derivative action complaint containing substantially similar allegations in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois against certain officers and directors of the Company, naming the Company as nominal defendant. The Company notes, among other things, that, in addition to failing to make the required demand on the board of directors, both of these filings are in violation of the Company’s Bylaws, which require any such actions to be brought in a court in Delaware. On June 29, 2017, the Court entered an agreed order consolidating the two putative derivative actions for all purposes under the caption Kausal Shah v. Charles A. Alutto, et al Additional putative derivative action complaints were subsequently filed by purported shareholders, containing similar allegations against certain officers and directors of the Company and naming the Company as nominal defendant. On March 26, 2018, Alvin Janklow v. Charles A. Alutto, et al. Rick Siu v. Mark C. Miller, et al. John Brennan v. Charles A. Alutto, et al. Siu Brennan Janklow Janklow Brennan Damon Turney v. Mark C. Miller, et al We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against each of the derivative 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 and (ii) in our judgment, the factual and legal allegations asserted by plaintiffs are sufficiently unique that we are unable to identify other proceedings with circumstances sufficiently comparable to provide guidance in making estimates. Shareholder Demand Letter. On October 18, 2016, the Company received a letter from an attorney purporting to represent a current stockholder of the Company demanding, pursuant to Del. Ct. Ch. R. 23.1, that the Company’s Board of Directors take action to remedy alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by certain officers and directors of the Company. The factual allegations set forth in the letter are similar to those asserted in the Securities Class Action Lawsuit and the Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits. The letter asserts breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with the management, operation and oversight of the Company’s business and in connection with alleged false, misleading and/or incomplete statements regarding the Company’s business practices. The Company’s Board of Directors constituted a Special Demand Review Committee to investigate the claims made in the demand letter and the Committee retained independent counsel to assist with the investigation. At the conclusion of its investigation, the Committee’s counsel advised the stockholder that the board had completed its investigation and determined not to pursue legal action. TCPA Lawsuit. On June 3, 2016, a plaintiff filed a putative class action, captioned Ibrahim v. Stericycle, Inc. , No. 16-cv-4294 (N.D. Ill.), against us and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Stericycle Communication Solutions, Inc., under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), asserting that the defendants called plaintiff and others in violation of that statute. Plaintiff challenges our use of pre-recorded messages that urge the owners of recalled products to return or obtain repairs for those products. Plaintiff seeks certification of two nationwide classes. One class includes people who received one or more cellular telephone calls from Stericycle featuring a prerecorded or artificial voice message relating to a product recall, where the called party was not the same individual who, according to Stericycle’s records, was the intended recipient of the call. The second class includes people who received one or more cellular telephone calls from Stericycle featuring a prerecorded or artificial voice message relating to a product recall after such person had communicated to Stericycle that Stericycle did not have consent to make any such calls to their cellular telephone number. On July 28, 2016, we answered the complaint, denying the material allegations and raising certain affirmative defenses. Among the asserted defenses is the “emergency” exception to the TCPA, which exempts calls made to promote public health and safety. On December 19, 2016, before any substantial discovery in the case, we filed a motion for summary judgment primarily on the basis of the “emergency” exception. On February 1, 2017, plaintiff responded to our motion by requesting additional discovery. The court permitted plaintiff to obtain some but not all of the requested discovery, and we have provided additional documents in response to that order. On April 5, 2017, plaintiff sought leave to file an amended complaint which would add a claim under the Illinois Automatic Telephone Dialers Act (which does not include an “emergency” exception) and certain additional allegations. We filed an opposition to this motion on April 28, 2017, contending that the proposed amendments are futile and that we are entitled to summary judgment. On June 27, 2017, the court permitted plaintiff to file the amended complaint. We answered plaintiff’s amended complaint, denying liability, and in light of the amended complaint, withdrew our motion for summary judgment without prejudice. The parties conducted discovery, which closed on May 15, 2018. On September 25, 2018, the parties stipulated to dismissal of the case with prejudice, and the Court dismissed the case with prejudice on October 23, 2018. FCPA Investigation. On June 12, 2017, the SEC issued a subpoena to the Company, requesting documents and information relating to the Company’s compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) or other foreign or domestic anti-corruption laws with respect to certain of the Company’s operations in Latin America. In addition, the Department of Justice has notified the Company that it is investigating this matter in parallel with the SEC. The Company is cooperating with these agencies. The Company is also conducting an internal investigation of these and other matters, including outside of Latin America, under the oversight of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and with the assistance of outside counsel, and this investigation has found evidence of improper conduct. We have not accrued any amounts in respect of this matter, as we cannot estimate any reasonably possible loss or any range of reasonably possible losses that we may incur. We are unable to make such an estimate because, based on what we know now, in our judgment, the factual and legal issues presented in this matter are sufficiently unique that we are unable to identify other circumstances sufficiently comparable to provide guidance in making estimates. Environmental Matters. Our Environmental Solutions business is 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, we frequently become 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 us or by other parties to which either we or the prior owners of certain of its facilities shipped wastes. From time to time, we may be subject to fines or penalties in regulatory proceedings relating primarily to waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities. North Salt Lake, Utah. We have continued to toll the statute of limitations with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah (the “USAO”) relating to an investigation by the USAO and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) into past Clean Air Act emissions and permit requirements, as previously alleged in the notice of violation (the “NOV”) issued by the State of Utah Division of Air Quality (the “DAQ”). The NOV resulted in our December 2014 settlement with the DAQ, as previously disclosed. The USAO and EPA have been investigating whether the alleged violations are criminal or civil in nature under the Clean Air Act and other federal statutes. The government has indicated that the matter will be resolved civilly, not criminally, and the parties are in settlement negotiations regarding a civil consent decree and a civil penalty under the Clean Air Act. The Company has accrued its estimate of the probable loss for this matter, which is not material. Rancho Cordova, California. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) has alleged violations of California’s Hazardous Waste Control Law for our hazardous waste facility in Rancho Cordova, California for the years 2011 through 2017. DTSC has referred the matter to the California Attorney General’s office. On March 3, 2016, we entered into a tolling agreement with the Attorney General’s office, which was subsequently extended through October 30, 2017. Under the tolling agreement as extended, the period from February 29, 2016 through October 30, 2017 will be excluded from any calculation of time for the purpose of determining the statute of limitations concerning any charges that we violated the Hazardous Waste Control Law. The tolling agreement does not constitute an admission of guilt or wrongdoing on our part and cannot be construed as a waiver of any other rights or defenses that we may have in any resulting action or proceeding. On October 26, 2017, DTSC filed a complaint in California Superior Court in Sacramento County for civil penalties and injunctive relief for alleged violations of California's Hazardous Waste Control Law. On October 15, 2018, the parties entered into a Stipulation for Entry of Order and Final Judgment on Consent, which was entered by the Superior Court of the State of California, Sacramento County, on October 19, 2018. The Company has accrued its estimate of the probable loss for this matter, which is not material. Tabasco, Mexico. In late 2016, the National Agency for Industrial Security and the Protection of the Environment for the Hydrocarbon Sector in Mexico (“ASEA”) conducted a permit compliance inspection at a hazardous waste treatment facility acquired by one of our subsidiaries in Dos Bocas, Tabasco, Mexico. ASEA subsequently claimed that the soil treatment process described in the facility’s treatment permit had not been followed properly and issued an order imposing a fine and directing that the facility be closed and that alleged contamination on a certain portion of the facility be remediated. Our subsidiary has engaged a firm of environmental technicians to assess the contamination described in the ASEA order and to conduct a broader environmental assessment of the facility. The preliminary estimate of the remediation costs necessary to address the ASEA order was $2.0 million. Our review and assessment of the overall facility is ongoing. In November 2017, ASEA rescinded the prior order imposing the fine. After reassessing the evidence and arguments presented, ASEA issued a new resolution on March 9, 2018, containing a lower, revised fine and including remedial obligations. In March 2018, the Company submitted a proposal for remedial measures. On April 26, 2018, the Company appealed the fines in the most recent order. Separately, the Company has implemented certain remedial measures to address site conditions during periods of increased precipitation. These near term remedial measures are also subject to the review and approval of ASEA. In June 2018, the Company instituted both civil and criminal legal proceedings in Mexico against the company from which it acquired the relevant facility, seeking to hold the seller liable for any remediation as well as lost profits and damages. The defendants named in the civil complaint filed their answers in September 2018. The Company has accrued its estimate of the probable loss for this matter, which is not material. At this time we are unable to reasonably estimate the future cost of any

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM_2

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation: The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Stericycle, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with United States’ Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of all wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. Outside shareholders' interests in subsidiaries are shown on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as “Noncontrolling interests." The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2018 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of operations, financial position and cash flows have been made. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Form 10-K”). The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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 our allowance for doubtful accounts, credit memo reserve, accrued employee health and welfare benefits, environmental liabilities, stock-based compensation expense, income tax liabilities, accrued auto and workers’ compensation insurance claims, intangible asset valuations and goodwill impairment. 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. The following information updates the description of significant accounting policies contained in Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Highly Inflationary Economy	Highly Inflationary Economy : Effective July 1, 2018, as a result of the three-year cumulative inflation exceeding 100% and under the guidance given in ASC 830 “ Foreign Currency Matters ”, Argentina was classified as a highly inflationary economy. Accordingly, the Company recognized, in Other expense, net, a foreign exchange loss of $5.0 million arising from the remeasurement of our Argentinian peso denominated net monetary assets during the three months ended September 30, 2018. Nonmonetary assets, liabilities and related expenses are measured using historical exchange rates and do not fluctuate with changes in the local exchange rate. As of September 30, 2018, our Argentinian peso denominated net monetary assets amounted to approximately 430 million Argentinian pesos or $10.5 million.
New Accounting Standards	Adoption of New Accounting Standards: Revenue Recognition Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-19, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” The impact of adopting ASC 606 relates to (i) the deferral of certain costs associated with obtaining contracts with customers, which were previously expensed as incurred, but under the new guidance are capitalized as Other current assets and Other assets and amortized to Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) over the expected period of benefit to be received, (ii) the write off of deferred installation costs, which were capitalized as Prepaid expenses under legacy U.S. GAAP but are expensed as incurred under ASC 606 and (iii) an increase in Deferred income tax liabilities with respect to the tax impact associated with these items. We recognized a net increase to Retained earnings of $13.0 million as of January 1, 2018 for the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606. This was comprised of $22.9 million associated with the capitalization of contract acquisition costs offset by a $4.9 million write off of deferred installation costs and $5.0 million to recognize Deferred income tax liabilities. The impact to Income from operations from the adoption of ASC 606 was a decrease in SG&A of $1.3 million and $7.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Definition of a Business Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-01, “ Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”) Note 3 – Acquisitions, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance in ASU No. 2016-16, “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” (“ASU 2016-16”) Compensation – Stock Compensation On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”) Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted Leases In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”) Derivatives and Hedging In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “ Derivatives and Hedging” (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12” Financial Instrument Credit Losses In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “ Financial Instruments – Credit Losses” (“ASU 2016-13”) Stranded Tax Effects In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”), which allows for stranded tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) to be reclassified to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We will adopt ASU 2018-02 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-02 will result in a reclassification between accumulated other comprehensive income and retained earnings, and will have no impact on our results of operations or financial position. Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “ Goodwill and Other Intangibles- Internal Use Software – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”
Revenue	In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods or services. Revenue is recognized net of revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities. The Company provides regulated and compliance services, which include the collection and processing of regulated and specialized waste for disposal, the collection of personal and confidential information for secure destruction, recall and returns (“Expert Solutions”) and communication services. The associated activities for each of these are a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over time; therefore, the respective services are treated as a single performance obligation. The Company recognizes revenue by applying the right to invoice practical expedient as our right to consideration corresponds directly to the value provided to the customer for performance to date. Revenues for our Medical Waste Solutions and Secure Information Destruction Services are recognized upon waste collection. Our Compliance Solution revenues are recognized over the contractual service period. Revenues from Hazardous Waste Solutions and Manufacturing and Industrial Services are recognized at the time the waste is received by a facility with an appropriate permit, either our processing facility or a third party. Revenues from Communication Services and Expert Solutions are recorded as the services are performed.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are recorded when invoiced or when goods or services are provided. The carrying value of our receivables is presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts based on past collection history and specific risks identified among uncollected amounts. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past-due receivable balances are written off when our collection efforts have been exhausted.
Contract Liabilities	Contract Liabilities We record a contract liability when cash payments are received or due in advance of our services being performed. The majority of the contract liability is classified as current in Other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets since amounts are generally earned in the subsequent quarter. The contract liability at September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017 was $15.5 million, $17.4 million, and $17.9 million, respectively.
Contract Acquisition Costs	Contract Acquisition Costs Our incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract, which consist primarily of sales incentives, are deferred and amortized to SG&A over the estimated period of benefit to be received from the cost, over a weighted average period of 6.3 years. We had $7.7 million and $22.8 million of contract acquisition costs, related to deferred sales incentives included in Other current assets and Other assets, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2018. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we amortized $1.8 million and $5.0 million, respectively, of deferred sales incentives to SG&A.

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_2

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of Revenues Disaggregated by Service, Primary Geographical Regions and Timing of Revenue Recognition	The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by service and primary geographical regions, and includes a reconciliation of disaggregated revenue to revenue reported by our reportable segments, Domestic and Canada Regulated Waste and Compliance Services (“RCS”) and International RCS: In millions Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Reportable Segment Domestic and Canada RCS International RCS All Other Revenues by Service: United States Canada Europe Others United States Total Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions $ 283.4 $ 9.7 $ 58.9 $ 42.6 $ - $ 394.6 Secure Information Destruction Services 178.4 16.3 29.9 3.0 - 227.6 Manufacturing and Industrial Services 62.9 5.4 1.0 9.8 - 79.1 Hazardous Waste Solutions 82.0 - - - - 82.0 Communication Services - 3.5 4.0 - 37.2 44.7 Expert Solutions - 2.7 1.9 - 22.3 26.9 Total $ 606.7 $ 37.6 $ 95.7 $ 55.4 $ 59.5 $ 854.9 In millions Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Reportable Segment Domestic and Canada RCS International RCS All Other Revenues by Service: United States Canada Europe Others United States Total Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions $ 860.5 $ 29.4 $ 189.2 $ 143.7 $ - $ 1,222.8 Secure Information Destruction Services 528.3 49.1 91.0 9.1 - 677.5 Manufacturing and Industrial Services 186.8 16.6 15.9 33.8 - 253.1 Hazardous Waste Solutions 235.0 - - - - 235.0 Communication Services - 12.7 13.3 - 112.9 138.9 Expert Solutions - 8.9 7.0 - 90.0 105.9 Total $ 1,810.6 $ 116.7 $ 316.4 $ 186.6 $ 202.9 $ 2,633.2

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Location, Services of Acquisitions	The following table summarizes the location and services of the acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018: Service Acquisition Locations Total Number of Acquisitions Regulated Waste Secure Information Destruction United States 19 2 17 Total 19 2 17
Summary of Fair Value of Consideration Transferred for Current Period and Prior Year Acquisitions	The following table summarizes the acquisition date fair value of consideration transferred for current year acquisitions and the adjustment to the consideration transferred for the prior year acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: In millions Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Current Year Acquisitions Adjustments to Prior Year Acquisitions Total Cash, net of cash acquired $ 39.6 $ - $ 39.6 Promissory notes 27.5 - 27.5 Deferred consideration 0.6 - 0.6 Contingent consideration - (0.4 ) (0.4 ) Total purchase price $ 67.7 $ (0.4 ) $ 67.3
Purchase Price Allocation	The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocations for current year acquisitions and adjustments to purchase price allocations for prior year acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2018: In millions Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Current Year Acquisitions Adjustments to Prior Year Acquisitions Total Fixed assets $ 1.8 $ 4.7 $ 6.5 Intangibles 22.7 0.6 23.3 Goodwill 42.0 (7.3 ) 34.7 Net other assets and liabilities 1.2 1.6 2.8 Total purchase price allocation $ 67.7 $ (0.4 ) $ 67.3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment and for the “All Other” category were as follows: In millions Domestic and Canada RCS International RCS All Other Total Balance as of January 1, 2017 $ 2,811.8 $ 498.4 $ 280.8 $ 3,591.0 Goodwill acquired during year 36.9 4.9 4.7 46.5 Purchase accounting adjustments (10.1 ) 1.2 1.5 (7.4 ) Impairments during the year - (65.0 ) - (65.0 ) Impairments related to disposition and assets held for sale - (7.1 ) - (7.1 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations 11.6 34.4 - 46.0 Balance as of December 31, 2017 2,850.2 466.8 287.0 3,604.0 Goodwill acquired during period 42.0 - - 42.0 Purchase accounting adjustments (6.5 ) - (0.8 ) (7.3 ) Impairments related to disposition and assets held for sale (see Note 4) (5.8 ) (0.1 ) - (5.9 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations (4.0 ) (15.0 ) - (19.0 ) Balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 2,875.9 $ 451.7 $ 286.2 $ 3,613.8
Carrying Values of Other Intangible Assets	As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the values of other intangible assets were as follows: In millions September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Value Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Value Amortizable intangibles: Customer relationships $ 1,593.6 $ 466.4 $ 1,127.2 $ 1,613.4 $ 381.4 $ 1,232.0 Covenants not-to-compete 4.1 2.8 1.3 7.9 5.9 2.0 Tradenames 4.0 1.2 2.8 6.0 1.8 4.2 Other 11.9 3.1 8.8 17.0 3.4 13.6 Indefinite lived intangibles: Operating permits 215.9 - 215.9 222.3 - 222.3 Tradenames 314.6 - 314.6 317.4 - 317.4 Total $ 2,144.1 $ 473.5 $ 1,670.6 $ 2,184.0 $ 392.5 $ 1,791.5
Changes in Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets	Changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets were as follows: In millions Total Balance as of January 1, 2017 $ 1,862.0 Intangible assets acquired during the year 28.2 Valuation adjustments for prior year acquisitions 7.9 Amounts reclassified to assets held for sale (2.6 ) Impairments during the year (21.0 ) Amortization during the year (118.4 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations 35.4 Balance as of December 31, 2017 1,791.5 Intangible assets acquired during the period 22.7 Valuation adjustments for prior year acquisitions 0.6 Amounts reclassified to assets held for sale (14.4 ) Impairments during the period (5.7 ) Amortization during the period (96.6 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations (27.5 ) Balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 1,670.6
Estimated Amortization Expense	The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years (based upon exchange rates at September 30, 2018) is as follows for the years ended December 31: In millions 2018 $ 127.4 2019 $ 127.5 2020 $ 126.8 2021 $ 126.4 2022 $ 126.2

DEBT (Tables)

DEBT (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following: In millions September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Obligations under capital leases $ 24.3 $ 9.4 $1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 3.56% at 2018 and 2.55% at 2017, due in 2022 613.7 471.7 $950 million term loan weighted average rate 3.78% at 2018 and 2.83% at 2017, due in 2022 914.4 950.0 $125 million private placement notes 3.18% at 2018 and 2.68% at 2017, due in 2019 125.0 125.0 $225 million private placement notes 4.97% at 2018 and 4.47% at 2017, due in 2020 225.0 225.0 $150 million private placement notes 3.39% at 2018 and 2.89% at 2017, due in 2021 150.0 150.0 $125 million private placement notes 3.76% at 2018 and 3.26% at 2017, due in 2022 125.0 125.0 $200 million private placement notes 3.22% at 2018 and 2.72% at 2017, due in 2022 200.0 200.0 $100 million private placement notes 3.29% at 2018 and 2.79% at 2017, due in 2023 100.0 100.0 $150 million private placement notes 3.68% at 2018 and 3.18% at 2017, due in 2023 150.0 150.0 Promissory notes and deferred consideration weighted average rate 1.69% at 2018 and 1.49% at 2017 and weighted average maturity 2.8 years at 2018 and 2.9 years at 2017 136.7 155.9 Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 5.61% at 2018 and 6.11% at 2017 and weighted average maturity 2.2 years at 2018 and 1.7 years at 2017 75.9 85.2 Total debt 2,840.0 2,747.2 Less: current portion of total debt 109.3 119.5 Less: unamortized debt issuance costs 9.9 12.4 Long-term portion of total debt $ 2,720.8 $ 2,615.3

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table summarizes the basis used to measure financial assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: In millions Fair Value Measurements Using Total as of September 30, 2018 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Assets: Derivative financial instruments $ 0.2 $ - $ 0.2 $ - Total assets $ 0.2 $ - $ 0.2 $ - Liabilities: Contingent consideration $ 10.2 $ - $ - $ 10.2 Total liabilities $ 10.2 $ - $ - $ 10.2 In millions Fair Value Measurements Using Total as of December 31, 2017 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Assets: Derivative financial instruments $ 0.4 $ - $ 0.4 $ - Total assets $ 0.4 $ - $ 0.4 $ - Liabilities: Contingent consideration $ 12.4 $ - $ - $ 12.4 Total liabilities $ 12.4 $ - $ - $ 12.4
Contingent Consideration Liability
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Changes to Contingent Consideration	Changes to contingent consideration were as follows: In millions Contingent consideration as of January 1, 2017 $ 24.1 Increase due to current year acquisitions 0.1 Purchase accounting adjustments (9.6 ) Decrease due to payments (1.5 ) Change in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses (0.4 ) Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations and other (0.3 ) Contingent consideration as of December 31, 2017 12.4 Purchase accounting adjustments (0.4 ) Decrease due to payments (1.3 ) Change in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses 0.2 Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations (0.7 ) Contingent consideration as of September 30, 2018 $ 10.2

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Resulting from Stock Option Awards, RSUs, PSUs and ESPP	The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock option awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”), and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss): In millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Selling, general and administrative - stock option plan $ 2.5 $ 3.7 $ 8.4 $ 11.6 Selling, general and administrative - RSUs 2.0 1.2 5.8 4.1 Selling, general and administrative - PSUs 1.9 0.2 4.5 0.6 Selling, general and administrative - ESPP 0.3 0.3 0.8 1.0 Total pre-tax expense $ 6.7 $ 5.4 $ 19.5 $ 17.3
Stock Option Activity	Stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows: Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Total Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in years) (in millions) Outstanding at January 1, 2018 5,393,417 $ 96.91 Granted 362,382 62.06 Exercised (311,792 ) 49.78 Forfeited (191,322 ) 103.38 Canceled or expired (255,538 ) 105.88 Outstanding as of September 30, 2018 4,997,147 $ 96.61 4.23 $ 3.0 Exercisable as of September 30, 2018 3,557,911 $ 96.39 3.61 $ 3.0
Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model	The estimated fair value of stock options at the time of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Stock options granted (shares) 1,712 18,015 362,382 454,799 Weighted average fair value at grant date $ 18.09 $ 17.83 $ 16.87 $ 19.48 Assumptions: Expected term (in years) 4.89 4.83 4.89 4.82 Expected volatility 25.68 % 22.95 % 25.34 % 22.68 % Expected dividend yield — % — % — % — % Risk free interest rate 2.74 % 1.81 % 2.58 % 1.90 %
Summary of RSU Activity	A summary of the status of our non-vested RSUs and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, are as follows: Number of Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Total Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in years) (in millions) Non-vested at January 1, 2018 267,297 $ 89.74 Granted 293,698 62.23 Vested and Released (62,313 ) 88.29 Forfeited (56,151 ) 74.89 Non-vested as of June 30, 2018 442,531 $ 73.28 2.08 $ 26.0
Summary of PSU Activity	A summary of the status of our non-vested PSUs and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, are as follows: Number of Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2018 11,149 $ 82.85 Granted 131,182 63.92 Vested and Released - - Forfeited (24,579 ) 72.23 Non-vested as of September 30, 2018 117,752 $ 63.98

PREFERRED STOCK (Tables)

PREFERRED STOCK (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Repurchases of Depository Shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	The following table provides information about our repurchases of depository shares of mandatory convertible preferred stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: In millions, except share and per share data Number of Depository Shares Repurchased Amount Paid for Repurchases Average Price Paid per Share January 1 - January 31, 2018 - $ - $ - February 1 - February 28 , 2018 151,900 7.4 49.05 March 1 - March 31 , 2018 - - - April 1 - April 30 , 2018 - - - May 1 - May 31 , 2018 150,000 7.4 $ 49.24 June 1 - June 30 , 2018 - - - July 1 - July 31 , 2018 - - - August 1 - August 31, 2018 50,000 2.4 47.05 September 1 - September 30 , 2018 - - - Total 351,900 $ 17.2 $ 48.85

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SH_2

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: In millions, except per share data Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Numerator: Net income (loss) attributable to Stericycle, Inc. $ 23.5 $ 39.0 $ 73.7 $ (46.8 ) Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividend (8.4 ) (8.9 ) (25.5 ) (27.5 ) Gain on repurchases of preferred stock 2.4 5.4 16.9 14.4 Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders $ 17.5 $ 35.5 $ 65.1 $ (59.9 ) Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted average shares (1) 86.7 85.3 85.9 85.3 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock-based compensation awards 0.1 0.3 0.2 - Mandatory convertible preferred stock (2) - - - - Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share - adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises 86.8 85.6 86.1 85.3 Earnings (loss) per share – Basic $ 0.20 $ 0.42 $ 0.76 $ (0.70 ) Earnings (loss) per share – Diluted (3) $ 0.20 $ 0.41 $ 0.76 $ (0.70 ) (1) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, the denominator for basic earnings per share includes 0.8 million and 0.3 million shares, respectively, representing the weighted-average impact of the common shares outstanding subsequent to the Series A conversion on September 14, 2018. (2) The weighted average common shares (in thousands) issuable upon the assumed conversion (as discussed above) of the Series A totaling 3,918 and 5,049 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and 4,526 and 5,152 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and (3) Due to the net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, dilutive loss per share is the same as basic.

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial Information Concerning Company's Reportable Segments	Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, we have changed our measure of segment profitability to Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Adjusted EBITDA is Income from operations excluding certain specified items, Depreciation and Intangible Amortization. As a result of this change in segment reporting, all applicable historical segment information has been revised to conform to the new presentation. The following tables show financial information for the Company's reportable segments: In millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Revenues Domestic and Canada RCS $ 644.3 $ 634.7 $ 1,927.3 $ 1,917.5 International RCS 151.1 174.6 503.0 536.2 All Other 59.5 73.5 202.9 239.2 Total $ 854.9 $ 882.8 $ 2,633.2 $ 2,692.9 Gross Profit Domestic and Canada RCS $ 261.5 $ 276.7 $ 786.2 $ 839.7 International RCS 49.9 55.0 169.7 170.0 All Other 24.1 36.4 91.4 108.8 Total $ 335.5 $ 368.1 $ 1,047.3 $ 1,118.5 Depreciation Domestic and Canada RCS $ 19.0 $ 17.6 $ 56.7 $ 50.8 International RCS 6.7 7.8 21.4 23.4 All Other 6.4 5.0 17.5 14.5 Total $ 32.1 $ 30.4 $ 95.6 $ 88.7 Intangible Amortization Domestic and Canada RCS $ 23.7 $ 22.0 $ 71.1 $ 65.6 International RCS 6.0 5.9 19.2 16.8 All Other 2.1 2.0 6.3 6.1 Total $ 31.8 $ 29.9 $ 96.6 $ 88.5 Adjusted EBITDA Domestic and Canada RCS $ 196.6 $ 202.6 $ 583.4 $ 619.7 International RCS 20.9 23.5 80.8 77.4 All Other (33.6 ) (19.9 ) (100.1 ) (79.1 ) Total $ 183.9 $ 206.2 $ 564.1 $ 618.0
Reconciliation of Company's Primary Measure of Segment Profitability (EBITDA) to Income from Operations	The following table reconciles the Company's primary measure of segment profitability (Adjusted EBITDA) to Income from operations: In millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Domestic and Canada RCS Adjusted EBITDA $ 196.6 $ 202.6 $ 583.4 $ 619.7 International RCS Adjusted EBITDA 20.9 23.5 80.8 77.4 All Other Adjusted EBITDA (33.6 ) (19.9 ) (100.1 ) (79.1 ) Depreciation (32.1 ) (30.4 ) (95.6 ) (88.7 ) Business Transformation (21.0 ) (4.2 ) (64.9 ) (4.2 ) Intangible Amortization (31.8 ) (29.9 ) (96.6 ) (88.5 ) Acquisition and Integration (1.6 ) (10.8 ) (7.5 ) (33.5 ) Operational Optimization (3.6 ) (16.0 ) (19.5 ) (52.4 ) Divestitures (2.0 ) (9.1 ) (19.1 ) (12.7 ) Litigation, Settlements and Regulatory Compliance (17.3 ) (1.3 ) (61.2 ) (304.9 ) Other (6.2 ) (10.9 ) (14.9 ) (17.3 ) Income from operations $ 68.3 $ 93.6 $ 184.8 $ 15.8
Summary of Revenues Details by Service Line	The following table presents consolidated revenues by service: In millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Regulated Waste and Compliance Services $ 476.6 $ 502.5 $ 1,457.8 $ 1,525.9 Secure Information Destruction Services 227.6 204.7 677.5 621.2 Manufacturing and Industrial Services 79.1 86.6 253.1 260.4 Communication and Related Services 71.6 89.0 244.8 285.4 Revenues $ 854.9 $ 882.8 $ 2,633.2 $ 2,692.9

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM_3

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Customer	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018ARS ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net monetary assets	$ 6,902.9		$ 6,902.9			$ 6,988.3
Deferred installation costs	1.8		5
Selling, general and administrative expenses	267.2	$ 274.5	862.5	$ 1,102.7
ASC 606
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net increase to retained earnings	13		13
ASC 606 | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Capitalization of contract acquisition costs	22.9		22.9
Deferred installation costs			4.9
Deferred income taxes liabilities	5		5
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 1.3		7.6
Argentina
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative inflation period	3 years
Net monetary assets	$ 10.5		10.5		$ 430
Argentina | Other Expense, Net
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Foreign exchange loss	$ 5		$ 5
Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of customers | Customer			1,000,000
Minimum | Argentina
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative inflation rate	100.00%

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_3

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Schedule of Revenues Disaggregated by Service, Primary Geographical Regions and Timing of Revenue Recognition (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 854.9	$ 882.8	$ 2,633.2	$ 2,692.9
Domestic and Canada RCS | United States
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	606.7		1,810.6
Domestic and Canada RCS | Canada
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	37.6		116.7
International RCS | Europe
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	95.7		316.4
International RCS | Others
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	55.4		186.6
All Other
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	59.5	73.5	202.9	239.2
All Other | United States
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	59.5		202.9
Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	394.6		1,222.8
Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions | Domestic and Canada RCS | United States
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	283.4		860.5
Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions | Domestic and Canada RCS | Canada
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	9.7		29.4
Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions | International RCS | Europe
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	58.9		189.2
Medical Waste and Compliance Solutions | International RCS | Others
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	42.6		143.7
Hazardous Waste Solutions
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	82		235
Hazardous Waste Solutions | Domestic and Canada RCS | United States
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	82		235
Manufacturing and Industrial Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	79.1	86.6	253.1	260.4
Manufacturing and Industrial Services | Domestic and Canada RCS | United States
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	62.9		186.8
Manufacturing and Industrial Services | Domestic and Canada RCS | Canada
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	5.4		16.6
Manufacturing and Industrial Services | International RCS | Europe
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1		15.9
Manufacturing and Industrial Services | International RCS | Others
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	9.8		33.8
Secure Information Destruction Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	227.6	$ 204.7	677.5	$ 621.2
Secure Information Destruction Services | Domestic and Canada RCS | United States
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	178.4		528.3
Secure Information Destruction Services | Domestic and Canada RCS | Canada
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	16.3		49.1
Secure Information Destruction Services | International RCS | Europe
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	29.9		91
Secure Information Destruction Services | International RCS | Others
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	3		9.1
Communication Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	44.7		138.9
Communication Services | Domestic and Canada RCS | Canada
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	3.5		12.7
Communication Services | International RCS | Europe
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4		13.3
Communication Services | All Other | United States
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	37.2		112.9
Expert Solutions
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	26.9		105.9
Expert Solutions | Domestic and Canada RCS | Canada
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	2.7		8.9
Expert Solutions | International RCS | Europe
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1.9		7
Expert Solutions | All Other | United States
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 22.3		$ 90

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_4

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract liability	$ 15.5	$ 15.5	$ 17.4	$ 17.9
Amortized deferred sales incentive cost	1.8	5
Other Current Assets
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Capitalization of contract acquisition costs	7.7	7.7
Other Noncurrent Assets
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Capitalization of contract acquisition costs	$ 22.8	$ 22.8
Minimum
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Estimated period of benefit to be received	6 years 3 months 18 days	6 years 3 months 18 days

ACQUISITIONS - Additional Infor

ACQUISITIONS - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Entity	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions | Entity	19
Net increase (decrease) in goodwill	$ 42	$ 46.5
Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets	$ 22.7
Customer relationships | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Customer relationships | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	30 years

ACQUISITIONS - Summary of Acqui

ACQUISITIONS - Summary of Acquisitions Location, Services (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018Entity
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	19
Regulated Waste
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	2
Secure Information Destruction
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	17
United States
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	19
United States | Regulated Waste
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	2
United States | Secure Information Destruction
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	17

ACQUISITIONS - Aggregate Purcha

ACQUISITIONS - Aggregate Purchase Price Paid for Acquisitions and Other Adjustments to Consideration (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash, net of cash acquired	$ 39.6	$ 23.8
Series of individual business acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash, net of cash acquired	39.6
Promissory notes	27.5
Deferred consideration	0.6
Contingent consideration	(0.4)
Total purchase price	67.3
Series of individual business acquisitions | Current Period Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash, net of cash acquired	39.6
Promissory notes	27.5
Deferred consideration	0.6
Total purchase price	67.7
Series of individual business acquisitions | Restatement adjustment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	(0.4)
Total purchase price	$ (0.4)

ACQUISITIONS - Purchase Price A

ACQUISITIONS - Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fixed assets	$ 6.5
Intangibles	23.3
Goodwill	34.7
Net other assets and liabilities	2.8
Total purchase price allocation	67.3
Current Period Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fixed assets	1.8
Intangibles	22.7
Goodwill	42
Net other assets and liabilities	1.2
Total purchase price allocation	67.7
Adjustments to Prior Year Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fixed assets	4.7
Intangibles	0.6
Goodwill	(7.3)
Net other assets and liabilities	1.6
Total purchase price allocation	$ (0.4)

RESTRUCTURING, DIVESTITURES A_2

RESTRUCTURING, DIVESTITURES AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		30 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charges				$ 2,400,000
Restructuring charges	$ 100,000			13,900,000	$ 2,200,000
Employee termination				11,500,000
Payments for restructuring liability			$ 2,200,000
Proceeds from sale of business					25,200,000	$ 1,200,000
Non-cash impairments of goodwill							$ 65,000,000
Impairment of customer list intangibles					5,700,000		21,000,000
United Kingdom
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business		$ 8,200,000
Consideration for sale of business		11,500,000							$ 11,500,000
Consideration from business sale held in escrow		$ 3,300,000
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | United Kingdom
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business						1,200,000
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Assets held for sale	0				0
Liabilities held for sale	0				0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | United Kingdom
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Adjustment to estimate of exposure	400,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | United Kingdom
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax loss from sale						5,600,000
Loss from sale, net of tax						$ 4,500,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | United Kingdom
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charges					4,200,000		6,800,000	$ 3,800,000	$ 14,800,000
Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				5,500,000	1,700,000
Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business	17,000,000
Pre-tax loss from sale	100,000
Loss from sale, net of tax	100,000
Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services | Cost of Revenues
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charges	6,800,000				6,800,000
Restructuring charges	1,000,000				1,000,000
Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charges					6,900,000
Non-cash impairments of goodwill					5,800,000
Impairment of customer list intangibles					500,000
Reduction in fair value of assets					600,000
International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				3,300,000	300,000
Non-cash impairments of goodwill							$ 65,000,000
All Other
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				$ 5,100,000	200,000
All Other | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Employee termination	1,100,000				1,100,000
Employee Termination Charges
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Employee termination restructuring charges anticipated	20,000,000				20,000,000
Employee Termination Charges | Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Employee termination restructuring charges anticipated	8,000,000				8,000,000
Employee Termination Charges | International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Employee termination restructuring charges anticipated	1,000,000				1,000,000
Employee Termination Charges | All Other
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Employee termination restructuring charges anticipated	11,000,000				11,000,000
Lease Termination Fee | Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services | Cost of Revenues
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	500,000				500,000
Non-cash Leasehold Improvements | Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services | Cost of Revenues
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 500,000				$ 500,000

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 3,604	$ 3,591
Goodwill acquired during year	42	46.5
Purchase accounting adjustments	(7.3)	(7.4)
Impairments during the year		(65)
Impairments related to disposition and assets held for sale	(5.9)	(7.1)
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	(19)	46
Ending Balance	3,613.8	3,604
Domestic and Canada RCS
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,850.2	2,811.8
Goodwill acquired during year	42	36.9
Purchase accounting adjustments	(6.5)	(10.1)
Impairments related to disposition and assets held for sale	(5.8)
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	(4)	11.6
Ending Balance	2,875.9	2,850.2
International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	466.8	498.4
Goodwill acquired during year		4.9
Purchase accounting adjustments		1.2
Impairments during the year		(65)
Impairments related to disposition and assets held for sale	(0.1)	(7.1)
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	(15)	34.4
Ending Balance	451.7	466.8
All Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	287	280.8
Goodwill acquired during year		4.7
Purchase accounting adjustments	(0.8)	1.5
Ending Balance	$ 286.2	$ 287

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Carrying Values of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 2,144.1	$ 2,184
Accumulated Amortization	473.5	392.5
Net Value	1,670.6	1,791.5	$ 1,862
Operating permits
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	215.9	222.3
Tradenames
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Carrying Amount, Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	314.6	317.4
Customer relationships
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,593.6	1,613.4
Accumulated Amortization	466.4	381.4
Net Value	1,127.2	1,232
Covenants not-to-compete
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	4.1	7.9
Accumulated Amortization	2.8	5.9
Net Value	1.3	2
Tradenames
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	4	6
Accumulated Amortization	1.2	1.8
Net Value	2.8	4.2
Other
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	11.9	17
Accumulated Amortization	3.1	3.4
Net Value	$ 8.8	$ 13.6

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Changes in Carrying Amount of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period			$ 1,791.5	$ 1,862	$ 1,862
Intangible assets acquired during the year			22.7		28.2
Valuation adjustments for prior year acquisitions			0.6		7.9
Amounts reclassified to assets held for sale			(14.4)		(2.6)
Impairments during the year			(5.7)		(21)
Amortization during the year	$ (31.8)	$ (29.9)	(96.6)	$ (88.5)	(118.4)
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations			(27.5)		35.4
End of period	$ 1,670.6		$ 1,670.6		$ 1,791.5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_6

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Aggregate intangible asset amortization expense	$ 31.8	$ 29.9	$ 96.6	$ 88.5	$ 118.4
Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Aggregate intangible asset amortization expense	23.7	22	71.1	65.6
International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Aggregate intangible asset amortization expense	6	$ 5.9	19.2	$ 16.8
International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services | Operating permits
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets impairment charges	0		$ 1.2
Customer relationships
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life			11 years
Customer relationships | Minimum
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			10 years
Customer relationships | Maximum
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			30 years
Customer relationships | Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Reclassification of intangibles to assets held for sale	14.4		$ 14.4
Definite-lived assets non-cash impairment / Customer relationship intangibles	0.5
Customer relationships | International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Definite-lived assets non-cash impairment / Customer relationship intangibles	0		$ 3
Tradenames
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life			17 years 8 months 12 days
Tradenames | Minimum
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			4 years
Tradenames | Maximum
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			40 years
Tradenames | International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets impairment charges	$ 0		$ 1
Covenants not-to-compete
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life			2 years 2 months 12 days
Covenants not-to-compete | Minimum
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			5 years
Covenants not-to-compete | Maximum
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life			14 years
Other intangibles
Intangible Assets By Major Class [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average remaining useful life			16 years

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_7

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,018	$ 127.4
2,019	127.5
2,020	126.8
2,021	126.4
2,022	$ 126.2

DEBT - Schedule of Long-Term De

DEBT - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 2,840	$ 2,747.2
Less: current portion of total debt	109.3	119.5
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	9.9	12.4
Long-term portion of total debt	2,720.8	2,615.3
Obligations under capital leases
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	24.3	9.4
Line of credit | $1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 2.74% at 2018 and 2.55% at 2017, due in 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	613.7	471.7
Term loan | $950 million private term loan weighted average rate 3.20% at 2018 and 2.83% at 2017, due in 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	914.4	950
Private placement notes | $125 million private placement notes 3.18% at 2018 and 2.68% at 2017, due in 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	125	125
Private placement notes | $225 million private placement notes 4.97% at 2018 and 4.47% at 2017, due in 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	225	225
Private placement notes | $150 million private placement notes 3.39% at 2018 and 2.89% at 2017, due in 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	150	150
Private placement notes | $125 million private placement notes 3.76% at 2018 and 3.26% at 2017, due in 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	125	125
Private placement notes | $200 million private placement notes 3.69% at 2018 and 3.19% at 2017, due in 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	200	200
Private placement notes | $100 million private placement notes 3.64% at 2018 and 3.14% at 2017, due in 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	100	100
Private placement notes | $150 million private placement notes 3.68% at 2018 and 3.18% at 2017, due in 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	150	150
Promissory notes and deferred consideration | Notes weighted average rate 1.69% at 2018 and 1.49% at 2017 and weighted average maturity 2.9 years at 2018 and 2.9 years at 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	136.7	155.9
Foreign bank debt | Debt weighted average rate 5.61% at 2018 and 6.11% at 2017 and weighted average maturity 2.17 years at 2018 and 1.7 years at 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 75.9	$ 85.2

DEBT - Schedule of Long-Term _2

DEBT - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
$1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 2.74% at 2018 and 2.55% at 2017, due in 2022 | Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity of line of credit facility	$ 1,200,000,000
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.56%	2.55%
$950 million private term loan weighted average rate 3.20% at 2018 and 2.83% at 2017, due in 2022 | Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity of line of credit facility	$ 950,000,000
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.78%	2.83%
$125 million private placement notes 3.18% at 2018 and 2.68% at 2017, due in 2019 | Private placement notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.18%	2.68%
Long-term debt, face amount	$ 125,000,000
$225 million private placement notes 4.97% at 2018 and 4.47% at 2017, due in 2020 | Private placement notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	4.97%	4.47%
Long-term debt, face amount	$ 225,000,000
$150 million private placement notes 3.39% at 2018 and 2.89% at 2017, due in 2021 | Private placement notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.39%	2.89%
Long-term debt, face amount	$ 150,000,000
$125 million private placement notes 3.76% at 2018 and 3.26% at 2017, due in 2022 | Private placement notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.76%	3.26%
Long-term debt, face amount	$ 125,000,000
$200 million private placement notes 3.69% at 2018 and 3.19% at 2017, due in 2022 | Private placement notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.22%	2.72%
Long-term debt, face amount	$ 200,000,000
$100 million private placement notes 3.64% at 2018 and 3.14% at 2017, due in 2023 | Private placement notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.29%	2.79%
Long-term debt, face amount	$ 100,000,000
$150 million private placement notes 3.68% at 2018 and 3.18% at 2017, due in 2023 | Private placement notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.68%	3.18%
Long-term debt, face amount	$ 150,000,000
Promissory notes and deferred consideration weighted average rate 1.69% at 2018 and 1.49% at 2017 and weighted average maturity 3.0 years at 2018 and 2.9 years at 2017 | Promissory notes and deferred consideration
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	1.69%	1.49%
Long-term debt, maturity	2 years 9 months 18 days	2 years 10 months 24 days
Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 5.37% at 2018 and 6.11% at 2017 and weighted average maturity 2.5 years at 2018 and 1.7 years at 2017 | Foreign bank debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	5.61%	6.11%
Long-term debt, maturity	2 years 2 months 12 days	1 year 8 months 12 days

DEBT - Additional Information (

DEBT - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jul. 06, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum consolidated leverage ratio to trigger increase in interest rate		375.00%			375.00%
Payment of litigation settlement amount	$ 295,000,000
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio possible on Settlement		400.00%			400.00%
Consolidated leverage ratio, current		350.00%			350.00%
Debt modification costs				$ 2,700,000
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowed additions for business transformation, operational optimization and litigation matters for debt covenant compliance calculation					$ 200,000,000
Private placement notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase in interest rate			0.50%
Private placement notes | BBB or better by S&P
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable increment in interest rate on consolidated leverage ratio		0.50%			0.50%
Private placement notes | BBB- by S&P
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable increment in interest rate on consolidated leverage ratio		0.75%			0.75%
Allowable increment in previous base interest rate on consolidated leverage ratio exceeds 3.75		0.25%			0.25%
Private placement notes | BB+ or worse by S&P
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable increment in interest rate on consolidated leverage ratio		1.25%			1.25%
Allowable increment in previous base interest rate on consolidated leverage ratio exceeds 3.75		0.50%			0.50%
Senior credit facility and term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increase in interest rate		0.25%
Senior credit facility | Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, amount committed to outstanding letters of credit		$ 119,500,000			$ 119,500,000	$ 130,800,000
Revolving credit facility, unused portion		$ 466,800,000			$ 466,800,000	$ 597,500,000
Minimum consolidated leverage ratio to trigger increase in interest rate		400.00%			400.00%
Allowable increment in interest rate on consolidated leverage ratio		0.25%			0.25%
Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum consolidated leverage ratio to trigger increase in interest rate		400.00%			400.00%
Allowable increment in interest rate on consolidated leverage ratio		0.25%			0.25%

INCOME TAXES - Additional Infor

INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rate	31.70%	41.60%	26.90%	23.90%
Federal corporate tax rate			21.00%		35.00%
SQ customer class action settlement payment	$ 295
Deferred tax assets, expected excess interest expense limit	13.8		$ 13.8
ASU 2018-05
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Adjustments amount related to measurement period	$ 0.4

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Summa

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments	$ 0.2	$ 0.4
Total assets	0.2	0.4
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	10.2	12.4
Total liabilities	10.2	12.4
Level 2 Inputs [Member]
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments	0.2	0.4
Total assets	0.2	0.4
Level 3 Inputs [Member]
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	10.2	12.4
Total liabilities	$ 10.2	$ 12.4

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Addit

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	$ 200,000	$ 400,000
Contingent consideration liabilities	10,200,000	12,400,000
Debt obligations, carrying amount	2,840,000,000	2,747,200,000
Maximum
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Maximum contingent liability if financial performance measures were fully met	13,400,000
Level 3 Inputs [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liabilities	10,200,000	12,400,000
Level 3 Inputs [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liabilities	2,700,000	4,600,000
Level 2 Inputs [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	200,000	$ 400,000
Debt obligations, fair value	$ 2,790,000,000

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Chang

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Changes to Contingent Consideration (Detail) - Contingent Consideration Liability - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability [Roll Forward]
Contingent consideration, Beginning Balance	$ 12.4	$ 24.1
Increase due to current year acquisitions		0.1
Purchase accounting adjustments	(0.4)	(9.6)
Decrease due to payments	(1.3)	(1.5)
Change in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses	0.2	(0.4)
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations and other		(0.3)
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	(0.7)
Contingent consideration, Ending Balance	$ 10.2	$ 12.4

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Stoc

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Stock-Based Compensation Expense Resulting from Stock Option Awards, RSUs, PSUs and ESPP (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 6.7	$ 5.4	$ 19.5	$ 17.3
Stock Options | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2.5	3.7	8.4	11.6
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2	1.2	5.8	4.1
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1.9	0.2	4.5	0.6
Employee Stock Purchase Plan | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0.3	$ 0.3	$ 0.8	$ 1

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Addi

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 3.3	$ 0.3	$ 4.8	$ 3.5
Stock Options
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expenses related to stock options	21.9		$ 21.9
Weighted average period of recognition for unrecognized compensation expenses			2 years 9 months
Stock Options | Director
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			1 year
Stock Options | Officers And Employees
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			5 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			5 years
Weighted average period of recognition for unrecognized compensation expenses			3 years 8 months 12 days
Unrecognized compensation expenses related to RSUs	25.7		$ 25.7
Fair value of units vested (in shares)			4.2
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expenses related to RSUs	$ 1.7		$ 1.7
Additional shares expected to vest			315,000

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - St_2

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Option Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Number of Options
Outstanding at beginning of year			5,393,417
Granted	1,712	18,015	362,382	454,799
Exercised			(311,792)
Forfeited			(191,322)
Canceled or expired			(255,538)
Outstanding as of September 30, 2018	4,997,147		4,997,147
Exercisable as of September 30, 2018	3,557,911		3,557,911
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
Outstanding at beginning of year			$ 96.91
Granted			62.06
Exercised			49.78
Forfeited			103.38
Canceled or expired			105.88
Outstanding as of September 30, 2018	$ 96.61		96.61
Exercisable as of September 30, 2018	$ 96.39		$ 96.39
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding as of September 30, 2018			4 years 2 months 23 days
Exercisable as of September 30, 2018			3 years 7 months 9 days
Total Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of September 30, 2018	$ 3		$ 3
Exercisable as of September 30, 2018	$ 3		$ 3

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Assu

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Assumptions Used in Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock options granted (shares)	1,712	18,015	362,382	454,799
Weighted average fair value at grant date	$ 18.09	$ 17.83	$ 16.87	$ 19.48
Expected term (in years)	4 years 10 months 20 days	4 years 9 months 29 days	4 years 10 months 20 days	4 years 9 months 25 days
Expected volatility	25.68%	22.95%	25.34%	22.68%
Expected dividend yield				0.00%
Risk free interest rate	2.74%	1.81%	2.58%	1.90%

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Summ

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of RSU Activity (Detail) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Number of Units
Non-vested at January 1, 2018 | shares	267,297
Granted | shares	293,698
Vested and Released | shares	(62,313)
Forfeited | shares	(56,151)
Non-vested as of September 30, 2018 | shares	442,531
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at January 1, 2018 | $ / shares	$ 89.74
Granted | $ / shares	62.23
Vested and Released | $ / shares	88.29
Forfeited | $ / shares	74.89
Non-vested as of September 30, 2018 | $ / shares	$ 73.28
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Non-vested as of September 30, 2018	2 years 29 days
Total Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Non-vested as of September 30, 2018 | $	$ 26

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Su_2

STOCK BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of PSU Activity (Detail) - Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018$ / sharesshares
Number of Units
Non-vested at January 1, 2018 | shares	11,149
Granted | shares	131,182
Forfeited | shares	(24,579)
Non-vested as of September 30, 2018 | shares	117,752
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Non-vested at January 1, 2018 | $ / shares	$ 82.85
Granted | $ / shares	63.92
Forfeited | $ / shares	72.23
Non-vested as of September 30, 2018 | $ / shares	$ 63.98

PREFERRED STOCK - Additional In

PREFERRED STOCK - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 14, 2018shares	Aug. 31, 2018shares	May 31, 2018shares	Feb. 28, 2018shares	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017shares
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)					1,000,000		1,000,000		1,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	638,190				0		0		700,000
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)					0		0		700,000
Dividends paid on mandatory convertible preferred shareholders | $					$ 8.4	$ 8.9	$ 25.5	$ 27.5
Increase to retained earnings on repurchase of mandatory convertible preferred stock | $					$ 2.4	$ 5.4	$ 16.9	$ 14.4
Depositary shares purchased during period (in shares)		50,000	150,000	151,900			351,900
Depository shares equivalent to preferred stock units (in shares)					35,190		35,190
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock conversion ratio	7.3394
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock, (in shares)	4,700,000

PREFERRED STOCK - Repurchases o

PREFERRED STOCK - Repurchases of Depository Shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Number of Depository Shares Repurchased	50,000	150,000	151,900	351,900
Amount Paid for Repurchases	$ 2.4	$ 7.4	$ 7.4	$ 17.2
Average Price Paid per Share	$ 47.05	$ 49.24	$ 49.05	$ 48.85

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SH_3

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$ 23.5	$ 39	$ 73.7	$ (46.8)
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividend	(8.4)	(8.9)	(25.5)	(27.5)
Gain on repurchases of preferred stock	2.4	5.4	16.9	14.4
Net income (loss) attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders	$ 17.5	$ 35.5	$ 65.1	$ (59.9)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted average shares (in shares)	86.7	85.3	85.9	85.3
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock-based compensation awards	0.1	0.3	0.2
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share - adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises (in shares)	86.8	85.6	86.1	85.3
Earnings (loss) per share - Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.42	$ 0.76	$ (0.70)
Earnings (loss) per share - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.41	$ 0.76	$ (0.70)

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SH_4

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	Sep. 14, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share
Number of shares representing the weighted impact of Series A conversion	4,700
Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)		3,918	5,049	4,526	5,152
Number of shares representing the weighted impact of Series A conversion		800		300

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SH_5

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Stock Options
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share
Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	4,631	4,743	4,697	4,732
Shares excluded from computation of diluted loss per share (in shares)			307
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share
Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	151	226	47	49
Shares excluded from computation of diluted loss per share (in shares)				18

SEGMENT REPORTING - Financial I

SEGMENT REPORTING - Financial Information Concerning Company's Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 854.9	$ 882.8	$ 2,633.2	$ 2,692.9
Gross Profit	335.5	368.1	1,047.3	1,118.5
Depreciation	32.1	30.4	95.6	88.7
Intangible amortization	31.8	29.9	96.6	88.5	$ 118.4
Adjusted EBITDA	183.9	206.2	564.1	618
Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	644.3	634.7	1,927.3	1,917.5
Gross Profit	261.5	276.7	786.2	839.7
Depreciation	19	17.6	56.7	50.8
Intangible amortization	23.7	22	71.1	65.6
Adjusted EBITDA	196.6	202.6	583.4	619.7
International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	151.1	174.6	503	536.2
Gross Profit	49.9	55	169.7	170
Depreciation	6.7	7.8	21.4	23.4
Intangible amortization	6	5.9	19.2	16.8
Adjusted EBITDA	20.9	23.5	80.8	77.4
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	59.5	73.5	202.9	239.2
Gross Profit	24.1	36.4	91.4	108.8
Depreciation	6.4	5	17.5	14.5
Intangible amortization	2.1	2	6.3	6.1
Adjusted EBITDA	$ (33.6)	$ (19.9)	$ (100.1)	$ (79.1)

SEGMENT REPORTING - Reconciliat

SEGMENT REPORTING - Reconciliation of Company's Primary Measure of Segment Profitability (EBITDA) to Income from Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 183.9	$ 206.2	$ 564.1	$ 618
Depreciation	(32.1)	(30.4)	(95.6)	(88.7)
Business Transformation	(21)	(4.2)	(64.9)	(4.2)
Intangible Amortization	(31.8)	(29.9)	(96.6)	(88.5)	$ (118.4)
Acquisition and Integration	(1.6)	(10.8)	(7.5)	(33.5)
Operational Optimization	(3.6)	(16)	(19.5)	(52.4)
Divestitures	(2)	(9.1)	(19.1)	(12.7)
Litigation, Settlements and Regulatory Compliance	(17.3)	(1.3)	(61.2)	(304.9)
Other	(6.2)	(10.9)	(14.9)	(17.3)
Income from operations	68.3	93.6	184.8	15.8
Domestic And Canada Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	196.6	202.6	583.4	619.7
Depreciation	(19)	(17.6)	(56.7)	(50.8)
Intangible Amortization	(23.7)	(22)	(71.1)	(65.6)
International Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	20.9	23.5	80.8	77.4
Depreciation	(6.7)	(7.8)	(21.4)	(23.4)
Intangible Amortization	(6)	(5.9)	(19.2)	(16.8)
All Other
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item For Operating Profit Loss From Segment To Consolidated [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	(33.6)	(19.9)	(100.1)	(79.1)
Depreciation	(6.4)	(5)	(17.5)	(14.5)
Intangible Amortization	$ (2.1)	$ (2)	$ (6.3)	$ (6.1)

SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of

SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Revenues Details by Service Line (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 854.9	$ 882.8	$ 2,633.2	$ 2,692.9
Regulated Waste And Compliance Services
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	476.6	502.5	1,457.8	1,525.9
Secure Information Destruction Services
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	227.6	204.7	677.5	621.2
Manufacturing and Industrial Services
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	79.1	86.6	253.1	260.4
Communication And Related Services
Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 71.6	$ 89	$ 244.8	$ 285.4

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIA_2

ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION LIABILITIES - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation liabilities		$ 31	$ 30.8
Environmental remediation liabilities, projection term		30 years
Hazardous waste facility in Mexico
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation liabilities	$ 2
Accrued Liabilities
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation liabilities		$ 3.2	$ 5.7

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - Additional

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement amount, common fund established		$ 295
Environmental remediation costs		$ 519.4	$ 514.7		$ 1,585.9	$ 1,574.4
Environmental remediation | Hazardous waste facility in Mexico
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental remediation costs	$ 2
Proposed MDL settlement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement amount, common fund established	$ 295
Litigation expenses				$ 295