Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 29,934	$ 13,481
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,094 and $2,990	125,975	188,270
Inventories, net	280,100	236,049
Deferred income taxes	3,749	3,750
Refundable income taxes	5,073	3,521
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	21,076	22,159
Total current assets	465,907	467,230
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $615,464 and $597,989	554,010	564,426
Investments in joint venture partnerships	14,530	14,808
Goodwill	327,215	327,264
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $15,215 and $14,139	12,233	13,264
Other assets	18,224	18,520
Total assets	1,392,119	1,405,512
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	613	9,174
Accounts payable	85,851	96,348
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	19,784	24,002
Environmental liabilities	943	754
Accrued income taxes	0	388
Other accrued liabilities	33,108	35,468
Total current liabilities	140,299	166,134
Deferred income taxes	22,953	22,929
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	393,426	372,663
Environmental liabilities, net of current portion	48,804	49,040
Other long-term liabilities	14,366	13,547
Total liabilities	619,848	624,313
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock – 20,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, none issued
Additional paid-in capital	10,103	7,476
Retained earnings	740,649	751,879
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,087)	(9,361)
Total SSI shareholders’ equity	767,264	776,558
Noncontrolling interests	5,007	4,641
Total equity	772,271	781,199
Total liabilities and equity	1,392,119	1,405,512
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, value	26,293	26,171
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, value	$ 306	$ 393