Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Asset Impairment Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015
Schedule of Asset Impairments Charges [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges, Excluding Goodwill Impairment Loss	$ 18,458	$ 43,838	$ 18,458	$ 43,838
Operating Segments and Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Schedule of Asset Impairments Charges [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges, Excluding Goodwill Impairment Loss	21,466	50,190	21,466	50,190
Other Asset Impairment Charge
Schedule of Asset Impairments Charges [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges, Excluding Goodwill Impairment Loss	18,458	43,838	18,458	43,838
Other Asset Impairment Charge | Corporate
Schedule of Asset Impairments Charges [Line Items]
Other assets	79	745	79	745
Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Costs
Schedule of Asset Impairments Charges [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	329	0	329	0
Accelerated depreciation	630	3,686	630	3,686
Other assets	1,102	0	1,102	0
Asset Impairment Charges, Excluding Goodwill Impairment Loss	2,061	3,686	2,061	3,686
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
Schedule of Asset Impairments Charges [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	673	2,666	673	2,666
Accelerated depreciation	274	0	274	0
Asset Impairment Charges, Excluding Goodwill Impairment Loss	947	2,666	947	2,666
Auto and Metals Recycling | Other Asset Impairment Charge
Schedule of Asset Impairments Charges [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	7,336	41,544	7,336	41,544
Accelerated depreciation	6,208	0	6,208	0
Investment in joint venture	1,968	0	1,968	0
Assets held for sale	1,659	1,549	1,659	1,549
Corporate and Other | Other Asset Impairment Charge
Schedule of Asset Impairments Charges [Line Items]
Other assets	$ 1,287	$ 745	$ 1,287	$ 745