Note 10 - Geographic And Segment Information (Details) - Cost of Goods Sold by Segment (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014		Feb. 28, 2013		Feb. 28, 2014		Feb. 28, 2013
Direct cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold	$ 4,051,833		$ 3,633,913		$ 8,209,864		$ 7,324,885
ZERUST [Member] | Direct Cost of Goods Sold [Member]
Direct cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold	2,965,790		2,623,070		6,047,554		5,267,365
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of product sales	53.40%	[1]	55.70%	[1]	53.50%	[1]	55.40%	[1]
Natur-Tec [Member] | Direct Cost of Goods Sold [Member]
Direct cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold	490,573		453,147		940,037		892,820
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of product sales	73.90%	[1]	84.60%	[1]	76.80%	[1]	86.50%	[1]
Indirect Cost of Goods Sold [Member]
Direct cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold	$ 595,470		$ 557,696		$ 1,222,273		$ 1,164,700
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of product sales		[1]		[1]		[1]		[1]

[1] The percent of segment sales is calculated by dividing the direct cost of goods sold for each individual segment category by the net sales foreach segment category.