Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 24,404	$ 89,863
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,038 and $4,459	152,860	137,313
Inventories, net	302,626	246,992
Deferred income taxes	5,458	6,362
Refundable income taxes	6,269	7,671
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,764	28,618
Total current assets	515,381	516,819
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $553,099 and $535,728	564,110	564,185
Investments in joint venture partnerships	16,339	17,126
Goodwill	634,451	635,491
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $20,262 and $19,023	14,544	15,778
Other assets	14,379	14,174
Total assets	1,759,204	1,763,573
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	9,169	683
Accounts payable	97,331	115,007
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	19,741	22,130
Environmental liabilities	2,261	2,185
Accrued income taxes	47	38
Other accrued liabilities	37,911	38,799
Total current liabilities	166,460	178,842
Deferred income taxes	86,068	85,447
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	345,797	334,629
Environmental liabilities, net of current portion	44,939	44,874
Other long-term liabilities	11,585	11,837
Total liabilities	654,849	655,629
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	23,602	22,248
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock – 20,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, none issued
Additional paid-in capital	3,171	816
Retained earnings	1,049,399	1,056,024
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,629)	(2,589)
Total SSI shareholders’ equity	1,075,345	1,080,583
Noncontrolling interests	5,408	5,113
Total equity	1,080,753	1,085,696
Total liabilities and equity	1,759,204	1,763,573
Common Class A [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, value	25,684	25,219
Common Class B [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, value	$ 720	$ 1,113