Entity Central Index Key Adjusted earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). Business combination acquisition and integration related costs. Amount of expenses associated with operational optimization. Expenses (Income) related to divestitures. Litigation settlement and regulatory compliance. Document and entity information. Document Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Document Type Document Type Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Income Statement [Abstract] Revenues Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax Cost of revenues Cost Of Goods And Services Sold Gross profit Gross Profit Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling General And Administrative Expense Goodwill impairment Goodwill Impairment Loss (Loss) Income from operations Operating Income Loss Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract] Interest income Investment Income Interest Interest expense Interest Expense Other expense, net Other Nonoperating Income Expense (Loss) Income before income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest Income tax benefit (expense) Income Tax Expense Benefit Net (loss) income Profit Loss Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Net (loss) income attributable to Stericycle, Inc. Net Income Loss Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividend Preferred Stock Dividends Income Statement Impact Gain on repurchase of preferred stock Preferred Stock Redemption Discount Net (loss) income attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic (Loss) Earnings per common share attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Share Basic Diluted Earnings Per Share Diluted Weighted average number of common shares Outstanding: Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Basic Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Diluted Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Net (loss) income Other comprehensive (loss) income: Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, net of tax expense ($0.4, $0.7, and $0.8 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively) Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From A O C I On Derivatives Net Of Tax Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax expense (benefit) ($0.0, $0.0, and $0.0) for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively) Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax Total other comprehensive (loss) income Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Less: comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Stericycle, Inc. common shareholders Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, tax expense Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From A O C I On Derivatives Tax Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, tax expense/(benefit) Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Tax Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current Assets: Assets Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $71.9 in 2018 and $65.2 in 2017 Accounts Receivable Net Current Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense Current Other current assets Other Assets Current Assets held for sale Assets Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current Total Current Assets Assets Current Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $678.1 in 2018 and $603.2 in 2017 Property Plant And Equipment Net Goodwill Goodwill Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $499.9 in 2018 and $392.5 in 2017 Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill Other assets Other Assets Noncurrent Total Assets Assets LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current portion of long-term debt Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current Bank overdraft Bank Overdrafts Accounts payable Accounts Payable Current Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities Current Other current liabilities Other Liabilities Current Liabilities held for sale Liabilities Of Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Current Total Current Liabilities Liabilities Current Long-term debt, net Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Long-term tax payable Accrued Income Taxes Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Total Liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Equity: Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] 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 (see Note 14) Preferred Stock Value Common stock (par value $.01 per share, 120.0 shares authorized, 90.7 and 85.5 issued and outstanding in 2018 and 2017, respectively) Common Stock Value Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Retained earnings Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Total Stericycle, Inc.’s Equity Stockholders Equity Noncontrolling interests Minority Interest Total Equity Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Total Liabilities and Equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Intangible assets, accumulated amortization Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred stock, issued (in shares) Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares) Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, authorized (in shares) Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock, issued (in shares) Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock, outstanding (in shares) Common Stock Shares Outstanding Asset impairment charges and gain (loss) on disposal of assets held for sale. Repayments of long-term bank debt, deferred acquisition consideration, and contingent acquisition consideration. Obligations related to acquisitions. Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash from operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation Depreciation Amortization Amortization Of Intangible Assets Stock-based compensation expense Share Based Compensation Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Taxes And Tax Credits Asset impairment charges and loss (gain) on disposal of assets held for sale Asset Impairment Charges And Gain Loss On Disposal Of Assets Held For Sale Other, net Other Noncash Income Expense Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and divestitures: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Prepaid expenses Increase Decrease In Prepaid Expense Accounts payable Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Accrued liabilities Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities Other assets and liabilities Increase Decrease In Other Operating Capital Net Net cash from operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Capital expenditures Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired Proceeds from divestitures of businesses Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Other, net Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Net cash from investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Repayments of long-term debt and other obligations Repayments Of Long Term Debt And Other Obligations Proceeds from foreign bank debt Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt Repayment of foreign bank debt Repayments Of Long Term Debt Proceeds from term loan Proceeds From Lines Of Credit Repayment of term loan Repayments Of Lines Of Credit Repayment of private placement of long-term note Repayments Of Unsecured Debt Proceeds from senior credit facility Proceeds From Long Term Lines Of Credit Repayment of senior credit facility Repayments Of Long Term Lines Of Credit Proceeds from (repayment of) bank overdrafts, net Proceeds From Repayments Of Bank Overdrafts Payments of capital lease obligations Repayments Of Long Term Capital Lease Obligations Payments of deferred financing costs Payments Of Financing Costs Payments for repurchase of common stock Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for tax Proceeds From Issuance Of Shares Under Incentive And Share Based Compensation Plans Including Stock Options Payments for repurchase of mandatory convertible preferred stock Payments For Repurchase Of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock Dividends paid on mandatory convertible preferred stock Payments Of Dividends Preferred Stock And Preference Stock Payments to noncontrolling interests Payments To Minority Shareholders Net cash from financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Including Disposal Group And Discontinued Operations Cash and cash equivalents at end of year SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Net issuances of obligations for acquisitions Obligations Related To Acquisitions Accrued capital expenditures Capital Expenditures Incurred But Not Yet Paid Interest paid during the year, net of capitalized interest Interest Paid Net Income taxes paid during the year, net of refunds Income Taxes Paid Net Repurchase and cancellation of convertible preferred stock. Repurchase and cancellation of convertible preferred stock value. Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Equity Components Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Preferred Stock Preferred Stock [Member] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Beginning Balance Beginning Balance (in shares) Shares Outstanding Net income (loss) Currency translation adjustment Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, RSU vesting and employee stock purchases, net Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, RSU vesting and employee stock purchases, net (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Share Based Compensation Repurchase and cancellation of treasury stock Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Value Repurchase and cancellation of treasury stock (in shares) Stock Repurchased And Retired During Period Shares Repurchase and cancellation of convertible preferred stock Repurchase And Cancellation Of Convertible Preferred Stock Value Repurchase and cancellation of convertible preferred stock (in shares) Repurchase And Cancellation Of Convertible Preferred Stock Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock Stock Issued During Period Value Conversion Of Convertible Securities Conversion of convertible preferred stock to common stock, (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Conversion Of Convertible Securities Preferred stock dividend Dividends Preferred Stock Stock compensation expense Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Payments to noncontrolling interest Minority Interest Decrease From Distributions To Noncontrolling Interest Holders Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership Minority Interest Decrease From Redemptions Cumulative effect of new accounting standard (see Note 1) Cumulative Effect On Retained Earnings Net Of Tax1 Ending Balance Ending Balance (in shares) Accounting Policies [Abstract] BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract] REVENUES FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS Revenue From Contract With Customer [Text Block] Business Combinations [Abstract] ACQUISITIONS Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract] RESTRUCTURING, DIVESTITURES, AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE Restructuring Impairment And Other Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract] PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]