Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)
 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Aug. 02, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Jul. 25, 2011
Jul. 29, 2003
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 29, 2010
Sep. 18, 2014
Jul. 10, 2014
May 31, 2008
Dec. 31, 2012
Jul. 28, 2004
May 01, 2008
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross   71,800us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross                    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number   167,223us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber [1]                    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period   2,577us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised                    
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 4.70us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice                    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit (in Dollars per share)   $ 2.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit                    
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit (in Dollars per share)   $ 14.75us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit                    
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding   2us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightOutstanding                    
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights   70,000us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights                    
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per share)   $ 2.23us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1                    
Stock Issued as Consideration for Debt 90,000pesi_StockIssuedAsConsiderationForDebt                      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant   309,023us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant                    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term   4 years 328 days [1]                    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number   239,023us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber [1]     362,800us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber              
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number   230,223us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber                    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 7.81us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice [1]     9.53us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice              
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term   4 years 73 days [1]                    
Reduction in Stock Based Compensation Expense (in Dollars)   $ 54,000pesi_ReductionInStockBasedCompensationExpense                    
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized (in Dollars)   145,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized                    
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized, Next Twelve Months (in Dollars)   73,000pesi_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedNextTwelveMonths                    
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized In Year Two (in Dollars)   53,000pesi_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedInYearTwo                    
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized In Year Three (in Dollars)   19,000pesi_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedInYearThree                    
Robert Ferguson And William Lampson, Lenders [Member] | Warrant [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights 35,000us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= pesi_RobertFregusonAndWilliamLampsonLendersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember 		                     
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights (in Dollars per share) 2.23us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= pesi_RobertFregusonAndWilliamLampsonLendersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember 		                     
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued 2us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssued1
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= pesi_RobertFregusonAndWilliamLampsonLendersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember 		                     
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Amount (in Dollars) 3,000,000us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentAmount1
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= pesi_RobertFregusonAndWilliamLampsonLendersMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember 		                     
Warrant Period From Which Warrants Or Rights Exercisable 6 years                      
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Contractual Term with One-third Yearly Vesting [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period   3 years                    
Share Based Compensation Maximum Contractual Term   6 years 6 years                  
Employee Stock Option [Member] | The 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period       6 years                
Employee Stock Option [Member] | The 2004 Stock Option Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term   73 days                    
Employee Stock Option [Member] | The 2004 And 2010 Stock Option Plans [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number   15,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004And2010StockOptionPlansMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number   70,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004And2010StockOptionPlansMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number   15,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004And2010StockOptionPlansMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 7.10us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004And2010StockOptionPlansMember 		                   
Employee Stock Option [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term   6 years [2]                    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period   0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember 		    0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember 		             
Non-Qualified Stock Options and Incentive Stock Options [Member] | The 2010 Stock Option Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross           200,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_NonQualifiedStockOptionsIncentiveStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		           
Incentive Stock Options [Member] | The 2010 Stock Option Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term           5 years            
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Stockholder Percentage           10.00%pesi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardStockholderPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_IncentiveStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		           
Non Qualified Stock Option Agreement [Member] | The 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross             16,800us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_NonQualifiedStockOptionAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		         
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period             6 months          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period   2,577us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_NonQualifiedStockOptionAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		                   
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Gross   2,577us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_NonQualifiedStockOptionAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 2.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_NonQualifiedStockOptionAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		        $ 3.70us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_NonQualifiedStockOptionAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		         
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised (in Dollars)   $ 7,200us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_NonQualifiedStockOptionAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period             10 years          
Director Stock Options [Member] | The 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number   152,223us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_DirectorStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number   169,023us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_DirectorStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number   152,223us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_DirectorStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 9.35us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= pesi_DirectorStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		                   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term   4 years 219 days                    
Director Stock Options [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period   6 months                    
Share Based Compensation Maximum Contractual Term   10 years                    
Increased From [Member] | The 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized             600,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= pesi_IncreasedFromMember 		         
Increased To [Member] | Third Amendment To 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized             800,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_ThirdAmendmentTo2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= pesi_IncreasedToMember 		         
Reduced From [Member] | Third Amendment To 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Options Granted Upon Re Election To Board             12,000pesi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfOptionsGrantedUponReElectionToBoard
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_ThirdAmendmentTo2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= pesi_ReducedFromMember 		         
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Options Granted UponInitial Election To Board             30,000pesi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfOptionsGrantedUponInitialElectionToBoard
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_ThirdAmendmentTo2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= pesi_ReducedFromMember 		         
Reduced To [Member] | Third Amendment To 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Options Granted Upon Re Election To Board             2,400pesi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfOptionsGrantedUponReElectionToBoard
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_ThirdAmendmentTo2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= pesi_ReducedToMember 		         
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Options Granted UponInitial Election To Board             6,000pesi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfOptionsGrantedUponInitialElectionToBoard
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_ThirdAmendmentTo2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= pesi_ReducedToMember 		         
Minimum [Member] | The 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share Base Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Percentage Of Stock In Lieu Of Fee Payable   65.00%pesi_ShareBaseCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfStockInLieuOfFeePayable
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember 		  65.00%pesi_ShareBaseCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfStockInLieuOfFeePayable
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember 		               
Maximum [Member] | The 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share Base Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Percentage Of Stock In Lieu Of Fee Payable   100.00%pesi_ShareBaseCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfStockInLieuOfFeePayable
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember 		  100.00%pesi_ShareBaseCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfStockInLieuOfFeePayable
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember 		               
Maximum [Member] | The 2010 Stock Option Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term           10 years            
Chief Operating Officer [Member] | The 2010 Stock Option Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross     60,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ChiefOperatingOfficerMember 		        45,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ChiefOperatingOfficerMember 		       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period     3 years                  
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)     7.85us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= us-gaap_ChiefOperatingOfficerMember 		                 
The 2003 Outside Directors Stock Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross   16,800us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		  30,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		24,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		             
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Options Granted Upon Re Election To Board       12,000pesi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfOptionsGrantedUponReElectionToBoard
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		               
Percentage Of Fair Market Value Of Common Stock To Determine Number Of Shares To Directors   75.00%pesi_PercentageOfFairMarketValueOfCommonStockToDetermineNumberOfSharesToDirectors
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		  75.00%pesi_PercentageOfFairMarketValueOfCommonStockToDetermineNumberOfSharesToDirectors
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		               
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number   152,223us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		    145,200us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		             
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period   2,577us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		                   
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Gross   67,335us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		    69,041us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		             
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 3.70us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		    2.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		             
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number   169,023us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		    169,200us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		        163,200us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 8.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		    9.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		        $ 10.19us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2003OutsideDirectorsStockPlanMember 		   
The 2004 Stock Option Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized                     400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term           10 years            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number   15,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		    133,600us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		             
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number   15,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		    133,600us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		        182,100us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 7.10us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		    10.73us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		        $ 10.55us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2004StockOptionPlanMember 		   
The 2010 Stock Option Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross   55,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		      200,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		  55,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period               3 years        
Percentage Of Fair Market Value Of Common Stock To Determine Number Of Shares To Directors           110.00%pesi_PercentageOfFairMarketValueOfCommonStockToDetermineNumberOfSharesToDirectors
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		           
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number         40,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		           
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 5.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		          5.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		       
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term               6 years        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number   55,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		    60,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		        60,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)   $ 5.00us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		    7.85us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		        $ 7.85us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_The2010StockOptionPlanMember 		   
Rights Plan [Member]                        
Note 6 - Capital Stock, Stock Plans, Warrants, and Stock Based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]                        
Common Stock Ownership Percentage Trigger for Share Rights                       20.00%pesi_CommonStockOwnershipPercentageTriggerForShareRights
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_RightsPlanMember
Share Multiplier for Common Stockholders not Part of Non-board Approved Shareholders                       2pesi_ShareMultiplierForCommonStockholdersNotPartOfNonBoardApprovedShareholders
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_RightsPlanMember
Acquired Percentage of the Company that Triggers Share Rights                       50.00%pesi_AcquiredPercentageOfTheCompanyThatTriggersShareRights
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_RightsPlanMember
Purchase Price Multiplier for Common Stockholder when Acquired Percentage is Triggered                       2pesi_PurchasePriceMultiplierForCommonStockholderWhenAcquiredPercentageIsTriggered
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_RightsPlanMember
Purchase Price of Rights (in Dollars per share)                       $ 13.00pesi_PurchasePriceOfRights
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_RightsPlanMember
Purchase Price for Repurchase of Rights (in Dollars per share)                       $ 0.001pesi_PurchasePriceForRepurchaseOfRights
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= pesi_RightsPlanMember
Date of Rights Expiration                 May 02, 2018      
[1] Options with exercise prices ranging from $2.79 to $14.75
[2] The expected option life is based on historical exercises and post-vesting data.