Segment Information - Segment Assets Reconciliation to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 1,109,204	$ 1,104,817
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	2,235,345	2,226,593
Operating Segments \| Auto and Metals Recycling
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,485,182	1,485,626
Operating Segments \| Cascade Steel and Scrap
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	750,163	740,967
Corporate and eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ (1,126,141)	$ (1,121,776)

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant