| Document and Entity Information | Jun. 19, 2020 |
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Document Type | 8-K/A |
| Amendment Flag | true |
| Amendment Description | Stericycle, Inc. (the “Company”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-K/A to supplement the information provided in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 19, 2020, which announced the departure of David W. Stahl, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, effective on June 27, 2020. |
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 19, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | Stericycle, Inc. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000861878 |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity File Number | 1-37556 |
| Entity Incorporation State Country Code | DE |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 36-3640402 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 2355 Waukegan Road |
| Entity Address City Or Town | Bannockburn |
| Entity Address State Or Province | IL |
| Entity Address Postal Zip Code | 60015 |
| City Area Code | 847 |
| Local Phone Number | 367-5910 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Title of each class | Common Stock, par value $0.01 |
| Trading Symbol | SRCL |
| Name of each exchange on which registered | NASDAQ |
