XML 167 R61.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Jul. 31, 2013 | Oct. 31, 2012
--- | --- | ---
Site Contingency [Line Items] |  |
Environmental liability reserves | $ 27.0 | $ 27.5
Environmental remediation expenses in year one | 8.1 |
Environmental remediation expenses in year two | 3.8 |
Environmental remediation expenses in year three | 2.1 |
Environmental remediation expenses in year four | 3.8 |
Environmental remediation expenses in year five | 2.1 |
Environmental remediation expenses in five year thereafter | 7.1 |
Blending Facility in Chicago and Illinois [Member] |  |
Site Contingency [Line Items] |  |
Environmental liability reserves | 13.8 | 13.9
European Drum Facilities [Member] |  |
Site Contingency [Line Items] |  |
Environmental liability reserves | 7.3 | 7.4
Life Cycle Management and Recycling Facilities [Member] |  |
Site Contingency [Line Items] |  |
Environmental liability reserves | 3.7 | 4.2
Other Facilities [Member] |  |
Site Contingency [Line Items] |  |
Environmental liability reserves | $ 2.2 | $ 2.0

X
- Definition Environmental remediation expenses in five year thereafter. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_EnvironmentalRemediationExpensesInFiveYearThereafter
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Environmental remediation expenses in year five. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_EnvironmentalRemediationExpensesInYearFive
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Environmental remediation expenses in year four. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_EnvironmentalRemediationExpensesInYearFour
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Environmental remediation expenses in year one. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_EnvironmentalRemediationExpensesInYearOne
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Environmental remediation expenses in year three. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_EnvironmentalRemediationExpensesInYearThree
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Environmental remediation expenses in year two. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gef_EnvironmentalRemediationExpensesInYearTwo
Namespace Prefix: | gef_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Carrying value of the obligation (known or estimated) arising from requirements to perform activities to remediate one or more sites, payable after twelve months or beyond the next operating cycle if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccruedEnvironmentalLossContingenciesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SiteContingencyLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration