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Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
May 31, 2015 USD ($) | May 31, 2016 USD ($) | May 31, 2017 USD ($) | May 31, 2016 USD ($) | May 31, 2015 USD ($) transaction buyer
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments |  | $ 14,500 | $ 15,800 | $ 14,500 |
Dividends received on equity method investment |  |  | 0 | 0 | $ 5,247
Gain (loss) on Shred-it |  |  | 25,457 | 354,071 | (3,851)
Proceeds from Shredding transactions, net of cash contributed |  |  | 25,876 | 580,837 | 3,344
Income tax expense |  |  | 1,460 | 15,786 | 38,573
Proceeds from Storage transactions, net of cash contributed |  |  | 2,400 | 35,338 | 158,428
Discontinued Operations | Storage Business |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on Shred-it |  |  | 25,457 | 354,071 | (3,851)
Income tax expense |  |  | 2,400 | 15,786 | 38,573
Proceeds from Storage transactions, net of cash contributed |  |  |  |  | $ 158,400
Realized gain as a result of contingent consideration received |  |  |  | 10,900 |
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Storage Business |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Income tax expense |  |  |  | 4,800 |
Proceeds from Storage transactions, net of cash contributed |  |  |  | 24,400 |
Number of transactions involved in sale of business | transaction |  |  |  |  | 3
Number of buyers involved in sale of business | buyer |  |  |  |  | 3
Shred-it Partnership |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments | $ 210,100 |  |  |  | $ 210,100
Dividends received on equity method investment | 113,400 |  | 0 | 0 | 113,400
Equity method investment, difference between carrying amount and underlying net assets | $ 94,000 |  |  |  | $ 94,000
Amortization period |  |  |  |  | 9 years
Equity method investment net gain (loss) |  |  | 24,300 |  | $ 5,500
Amortization of basis difference |  |  | 4,800 |  | 11,000
Gain (loss) on Shred-it |  |  |  |  | 4,100
Litigation settlement expense |  |  |  |  | $ 1,000
Proceeds from Shredding transactions, net of cash contributed |  |  |  | $ 578,300 |
Income tax expense |  | $ 4,300 | $ 25,500 |  |

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