XML 43 R44.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Net Assets Held For Sale (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jul. 31, 2012 Location | Jul. 31, 2012 Location | Jul. 31, 2011 | Oct. 31, 2011 Location
Net Assets Held For Sale (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net | $ 0.6 | $ 6.4 | $ 14.1 |
Gain on sales of other miscellaneous equipment | 2.7 | 0.9 |  |
Net Assets Held For Sale (Additional Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Number of locations with assets held for sale | 2 | 2 |  | 3
Number of locations sold |  | 1 |  |
Number of locations reclassified to properties, plants and equipment |  | 4 |  |
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member] |  |  |  |
Net Assets Held For Sale (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net | 3.3 | 0.6 |  |
Number of locations placed back in service |  | 4 |  |
Paper Packaging [Member] |  |  |  |
Net Assets Held For Sale (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net |  | 0.5 |  |
Land Management [Member] | Higher and better use (HBU) and surplus properties [Member] |  |  |  |
Net Assets Held For Sale (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net |  | 3.2 |  |
Land Management [Member] | Development properties [Member] |  |  |  |
Net Assets Held For Sale (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Gain on disposals of properties, plants and equipment, net |  | $ 1.2 |  |

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- Definition Gain on sales of other miscellaneous equipment. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Number of locations placed back in service. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_NumberOfLocationsPlacedBackInService
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Number of locations reclassified to properties, plants and equipment. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Number of locations sold. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Number of locations with assets held for sale. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_NumberOfLocationsWithAssetsHeldForSale
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of a property, plant, and equipment asset that was sold or retired during the reporting period. This element refers to the gain (loss). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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