| Cover | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2022 | |
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Document Type | DEF 14A |
| Entity Registrant Name | VERTEX ENERGY, INC. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000890447 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | |||
| Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | ||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] | The following table provides information required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, and sets forth information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid and certain financial performance of the company. Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) in the table below does not necessarily represent cash and/or equity value transferred to the applicable named executive officer without restriction, but rather is a valuation calculated under applicable SEC rules. In general, CAP is calculated as summary compensation table total compensation adjusted to include the fair market value of equity awards as of December 31, 2022 or, if earlier, the vesting date (rather than the grant date) and factor in dividends and interest accrued with respect to such awards (if any). For purposes of the disclosure below, no pension valuation adjustments were required and no dividends or interest were accrued. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the years shown. Year Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (1) Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (3) Average Summary Compensation Table Total for non-PEO Named Executive Officers (2) Average Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO Named Executive Officers (3) Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: Net Loss ($ Millions) (6) Adjusted EBITDA ($ Millions) (7) Total Shareholder Return (4) Peer Group Total Shareholder Return (5) 2022 $1,570,438 $2,996,032 $932,371 $1,432,239 $402.60 $117.01 (5.25) $160.99 2021 $730,995 $2,755,731 $563,315 $1,948,979 $294.16 $213.19 (20.61) $21.60 2020 $612,261 $305,849 $443,122 $252,526 $46.22 $190.41 (30.76) ($2.8) (1) Benjamin P. Cowart Summary Executive Compensation Table (2) During 2022, our non-CEO Named Executive Officers (NEOs) consisted of Chris Carlson James Rhame John Strickland Alvaro Ruiz Chris Carlson John Strickland (3) Compensation “actually paid” is calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the applicable persons during 2022, 2021 or 2020. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the adjustments set forth below were made to Mr. Cowart’s total compensation and to the total compensation of the non-PEO NEOs, for 2022, 2021 and 2020, to determine the compensation actually paid. No pension plan payments were made to the PEO or the non-PEO NEOs during 2022, 2021 or 2020. Adjustments to Determine Compensation Actually Paid ($) for PEO 2022 2021 2020 Reported Summary Compensation Table (SCT) total for PEO 1,570,438 730,995 612,261 Deduction for amounts reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT (264,711 ) (120,138 ) (99,854 ) Increase for fair value of awards granted during the year that remain unvested as of year end 114,239 349,224 94,315 Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to current year end of awards granted prior to the year that they were outstanding and unvested as of year end (276,952 ) 1,091,265 (218,280 ) Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to vesting date of awards granted prior to the year that vested during the year 1,853,018 704,385 (82,593 ) Increase for value of dividends paid (accrued) on equity awards not otherwise reflected in fair value of awards — — — Total adjustments 1,425,594 2,024,736 (306,412 ) Compensation actually paid to PEO 2,996,032 2,755,731 305,849 Adjustments to Determine Average Compensation Actually Paid ($) for Non-PEO NEOs 2022 2021 2020 Reported Average SCT Total for Non-PEO NEOs 932,371 563,315 443,122 Deduction for amounts reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT (49,822 ) (87,190 ) (84,777 ) Increase for fair value of awards granted during the year that remain unvested as of year end 18,450 201,416 73,694 Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to current year end of awards granted prior to the year that were outstanding and unvested as of year end (96,342 ) 777,618 (130,198 ) Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to vesting date of awards granted prior to the year that vested during the year 627,582 493,820 (49,316 ) Increase for value of dividends paid (accrued) on equity awards not otherwise reflected in fair value of awards — — — Total adjustments 499,868 1,385,664 (190,597 ) Average compensation actually paid to Non-PEO NEOs 1,432,239 1,948,979 252,526 Note that the amounts reflected for the “Other NEOs” is an average. For each covered fiscal year, there were no equity awards that failed to meet vesting conditions in the year; there were no Stock Awards; there were no pension benefits; and no dividends were paid on unvested awards. Additionally, the methodology for the valuation assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the equity awards is the same as that used to determine the aggregate grant date fair values disclosed in the “Summary Executive Compensation Table”, though with adjustments for the applicable time period. We do not view these adjustments as material differences in the assumptions. As disclosed in the “Summary Executive Compensation Table”, the assumptions used to calculate the aggregate grant date fair values reflected in that table are included in footnotes to our consolidated financial statements in our annual reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. (4) Assumes $100 invested in our common shares on December 31, 2019, and calculated by based on the difference between the share price of our common stock at the end and the beginning of the measurement period, and reinvestment of all dividends. (5) The peer group used by the Company consists of the companies used in the Company’s performance graph as required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K and reported in Part II, Item 5 of its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, namely, Heritage-Crystal Clean, Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P., Par Pacific Holdings, Inc., Aemetis, Inc., Clean Energy Fuels, Corp. and Clean Harbors, Inc. (6) The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders reflected in our consolidated audited financial statements for the applicable year. (7) Adjusted EBITDA | |||
| Company Selected Measure Name | Adjusted EBITDA | |||
| Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] | (2) During 2022, our non-CEO Named Executive Officers (NEOs) consisted of Chris Carlson James Rhame John Strickland Alvaro Ruiz Chris Carlson John Strickland | |||
| Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] | The peer group used by the Company consists of the companies used in the Company’s performance graph as required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K and reported in Part II, Item 5 of its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, namely, Heritage-Crystal Clean, Calumet Specialty Products Partners L.P., Par Pacific Holdings, Inc., Aemetis, Inc., Clean Energy Fuels, Corp. and Clean Harbors, Inc. | |||
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | [1] | $ 1,570,438 | $ 730,995 | $ 612,261 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | $ 2,996,032 | 2,755,731 | 305,849 | |
| Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] | (3) Compensation “actually paid” is calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the applicable persons during 2022, 2021 or 2020. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the adjustments set forth below were made to Mr. Cowart’s total compensation and to the total compensation of the non-PEO NEOs, for 2022, 2021 and 2020, to determine the compensation actually paid. No pension plan payments were made to the PEO or the non-PEO NEOs during 2022, 2021 or 2020. Adjustments to Determine Compensation Actually Paid ($) for PEO 2022 2021 2020 Reported Summary Compensation Table (SCT) total for PEO 1,570,438 730,995 612,261 Deduction for amounts reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT (264,711 ) (120,138 ) (99,854 ) Increase for fair value of awards granted during the year that remain unvested as of year end 114,239 349,224 94,315 Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to current year end of awards granted prior to the year that they were outstanding and unvested as of year end (276,952 ) 1,091,265 (218,280 ) Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to vesting date of awards granted prior to the year that vested during the year 1,853,018 704,385 (82,593 ) Increase for value of dividends paid (accrued) on equity awards not otherwise reflected in fair value of awards — — — Total adjustments 1,425,594 2,024,736 (306,412 ) Compensation actually paid to PEO 2,996,032 2,755,731 305,849 | |||
| Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | $ 932,371 | 563,315 | 443,122 | |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ 1,432,239 | 1,948,979 | 252,526 | |
| Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] | (3) Compensation “actually paid” is calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the applicable persons during 2022, 2021 or 2020. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the adjustments set forth below were made to Mr. Cowart’s total compensation and to the total compensation of the non-PEO NEOs, for 2022, 2021 and 2020, to determine the compensation actually paid. No pension plan payments were made to the PEO or the non-PEO NEOs during 2022, 2021 or 2020. Adjustments to Determine Average Compensation Actually Paid ($) for Non-PEO NEOs 2022 2021 2020 Reported Average SCT Total for Non-PEO NEOs 932,371 563,315 443,122 Deduction for amounts reported under the “Option Awards” column in the SCT (49,822 ) (87,190 ) (84,777 ) Increase for fair value of awards granted during the year that remain unvested as of year end 18,450 201,416 73,694 Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to current year end of awards granted prior to the year that were outstanding and unvested as of year end (96,342 ) 777,618 (130,198 ) Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to vesting date of awards granted prior to the year that vested during the year 627,582 493,820 (49,316 ) Increase for value of dividends paid (accrued) on equity awards not otherwise reflected in fair value of awards — — — Total adjustments 499,868 1,385,664 (190,597 ) Average compensation actually paid to Non-PEO NEOs 1,432,239 1,948,979 252,526 | |||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] | ||||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] | ||||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] | ||||
| Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] | ||||
| Tabular List [Table Text Block] | As described in greater detail in “ Executive and Director Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis The following provides a list of the financial performance measures that we believe are the most important financial performance measures used to link NEO compensation to company performance. For more information, see “ Executive and Director Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis Executive and Director Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis Financial Performance Measures ● Equity Shareholder Value ● Earnings Per Share Growth ● Working Capital ● EBITDA Operational Performance Measures ● Compliance ● Health & Safety ● Strategy | |||
| Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 402.60 | 294.16 | 46.22 | |
| Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 117.01 | 213.19 | 190.41 | |
| Net Income (Loss) | $ (5,250,000) | $ (20,610,000) | $ (30,760,000) | |
| Company Selected Measure Amount | 160,990,000 | 21,600,000 | (2,800,000) | |
| PEO Name | Benjamin P. Cowart | Benjamin P. Cowart | Benjamin P. Cowart | |
| Measure [Axis]: 1 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Measure Name | Equity Shareholder Value | |||
| Measure [Axis]: 2 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Measure Name | Earnings Per Share Growth | |||
| Measure [Axis]: 3 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Measure Name | Working Capital | |||
| Measure [Axis]: 4 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Measure Name | EBITDA | |||
| Measure [Axis]: 5 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Measure Name | Compliance | |||
| Measure [Axis]: 6 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Measure Name | Health & Safety | |||
| Measure [Axis]: 7 | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Measure Name | Strategy | |||
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Deduction for amounts reported under the Option Awards column in the SCT | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ (49,822) | $ (87,190) | $ (84,777) | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Increase for fair value of awards granted during the year that remain unvested as of year end | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 18,450 | 201,416 | 73,694 | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to vesting date of awards granted prior to the year that vested during the year | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 627,582 | 493,820 | (49,316) | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Increase for value of dividends paid (accrued) on equity awards not otherwise reflected in fair value of awards | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | ||||
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Total adjustments | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 499,868 | 1,385,664 | (190,597) | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to current year end of awards granted prior to the year that were outstanding and unvested as of year end | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ (96,342) | $ 777,618 | $ (130,198) | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Chris Carlson | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| PEO Name | Chris Carlson | Chris Carlson | Chris Carlson | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | James Rhame | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| PEO Name | James Rhame | |||
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | John Strickland | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| PEO Name | John Strickland | John Strickland | John Strickland | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Alvaro Ruiz | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| PEO Name | Alvaro Ruiz | |||
| PEO [Member] | Deduction for amounts reported under the Option Awards column in the SCT | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ (264,711) | $ (120,138) | $ (99,854) | |
| PEO [Member] | Increase for fair value of awards granted during the year that remain unvested as of year end | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 114,239 | 349,224 | 94,315 | |
| PEO [Member] | Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to current year end of awards granted prior to the year that they were outstanding and unvested as of year end | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (276,952) | 1,091,265 | (218,280) | |
| PEO [Member] | Increase/deduction for change in fair value from prior year end to vesting date of awards granted prior to the year that vested during the year | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 1,853,018 | 704,385 | (82,593) | |
| PEO [Member] | Increase for value of dividends paid (accrued) on equity awards not otherwise reflected in fair value of awards | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | ||||
| PEO [Member] | Total adjustments | ||||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | ||||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ 1,425,594 | $ 2,024,736 | $ (306,412) | |
| [1] Benjamin P. Cowart Summary Executive Compensation Table | ||||
