Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 3,094	$ 2,990
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	615,464	597,989
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	$ 15,215	$ 14,139
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares issued	26,293,000	26,171,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	26,293,000	26,171,000
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares issued	306,000	393,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	306,000	393,000