Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible Assets
Gross assets	$ 612,400,000		$ 612,400,000	$ 601,500,000
Less accumulated amortization	241,731,000		241,731,000	215,341,000
Net assets	370,669,000		370,669,000	386,159,000
Amortization expense			26,400,000	30,500,000	34,300,000
Estimated amortization expense
2015	24,180,000		24,180,000
2016	21,939,000		21,939,000
2017	19,157,000		19,157,000
2018	16,623,000		16,623,000
2019	15,084,000		15,084,000
Thereafter	83,886,000		83,886,000
Total	180,869,000		180,869,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Tangible and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Number of small joint ventures terminated		2
Asset impairment charges	260,000,000		260,000,000	308,000	8,250,000
Metals Recycling/Ferrous Resources
Impairment of Long-Lived Tangible and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Asset impairment charges	46,500,000
Weighted average
Intangible Assets
Amortization Period			20 years
Trademarks
Intangible Assets
Gross assets	189,800,000		189,800,000	189,800,000
Customer and scrap generator relationships
Intangible Assets
Gross assets	419,400,000		419,400,000	408,400,000
Customer and scrap generator relationships | Minimum
Intangible Assets
Amortization Period			10 years
Customer and scrap generator relationships | Maximum
Intangible Assets
Amortization Period			25 years
Customer and scrap generator relationships | Weighted average
Intangible Assets
Amortization Period			20 years
Trademarks
Intangible Assets
Gross assets	3,200,000		3,200,000	3,200,000
Amortization Period			12 years
Trademarks | Weighted average
Intangible Assets
Amortization Period			12 years
Other
Intangible Assets
Gross assets				$ 100,000
Amortization Period			5 years