POWER OF ATTORNEY

(Section 16(a) Reporting)


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an
officer, director and/or shareholder of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (the
"Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint Greg J. Witherspoon, Richard
Josephson, Richard Peach, Jeff Poeschl and Monica Rodal, and any one of
them, his, her or its true and lawful attorney and agent to execute in his,
her or its name any and all reports required to be filed under Section 16(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to equity securities of
the Company; and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and any applicable stock exchange; and the undersigned does hereby ratify and
confirm all that said attorneys and agents, or any of them, shall do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.

This Power of Attorney revokes all prior Powers of Attorney relating to
reporting under Section 16(a) and shall remain in effect until revoked by a
subsequently filed instrument.

DATED: November 7, 2008


					/s/ GEORGE NUTWELL
					George Nutwell