Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 56,470	$ 49,462
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,755 and $6,148	149,720	229,975
Inventories, net	328,057	335,120
Deferred income taxes	11,729	11,784
Refundable income taxes	12,884	3,541
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	30,786	24,117
Total current assets	589,646	653,999
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $518,903 and $471,305	544,973	555,284
Investments in joint venture partnerships	17,052	17,208
Goodwill	627,427	627,805
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $17,804 and $20,846	16,634	20,906
Other assets	15,431	14,967
Total assets	1,811,163	1,890,169
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	668	643
Accounts payable	115,575	141,011
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	22,504	36,475
Environmental liabilities	2,966	2,983
Accrued income taxes	9,448	13,833
Other accrued liabilities	35,514	38,368
Total current liabilities	186,675	233,313
Deferred income taxes	87,269	85,378
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	357,065	403,287
Environmental liabilities, net of current portion	45,427	37,872
Other long-term liabilities	9,587	10,030
Total liabilities	686,023	769,880
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	19,865	19,053
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock – 20,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, none issued
Additional paid-in capital	0	762
Retained earnings	1,080,445	1,065,109
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,526)	1,540
Total SSI shareholders’ equity	1,099,804	1,094,712
Noncontrolling interests	5,471	6,524
Total equity	1,105,275	1,101,236
Total liabilities and equity	1,811,163	1,890,169
Common Class A [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, value	25,095	24,241
Common Class B [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, value	$ 1,790	$ 3,060