Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	$ 16,500
Total Charges to Date	14,730
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	1,812	1,593
Severance costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	6,900
Total Charges to Date	6,286
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	1,102	939
Contract termination costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	4,700
Total Charges to Date	4,169
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	500	5
Other exit costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	4,900
Total Charges to Date	4,275
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	210	649
Metals Recycling Business [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	7,300
Total Charges to Date	5,699
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	1,291	550
Auto Parts Business [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	600
Total Charges to Date	533
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	61	187
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	8,600
Total Charges to Date	8,498
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	460	856
Q4'12 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	13,500
Total Charges to Date	13,406
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	3,305
Charges	488	1,593
Payments and Other	(1,652)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	2,141
Q4'12 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Severance costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	278
Charges	26	939
Payments and Other	(227)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	77
Q4'12 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Contract termination costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	3,027
Charges	462	5
Payments and Other	(1,425)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	2,064
Q4'12 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Other exit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	0
Charges	0	649
Payments and Other	0
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	0
Q1'14 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total Expected Charges	3,000
Total Charges to Date	1,324
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	0
Charges	1,324	0
Payments and Other	(325)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	999
Q1'14 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Severance costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	0
Charges	1,076	0
Payments and Other	(115)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	961
Q1'14 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Contract termination costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	0
Charges	38	0
Payments and Other	0
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	38
Q1'14 Restructuring Plan [Member] | Other exit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	0
Charges	210	0
Payments and Other	(210)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 0