The percent of shares issued or issuable as a result of a business acquisition.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	schn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Purchase Date

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Decrease in temporary equity from purchase of interests from noncontrolling interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	schn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Increase in temporary equity, from capital contributions from noncontrolling interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	schn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Date when the acquirer obtains control of the acquiree, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21917927&loc=d3e845-128460

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Acquisition Date

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6919109

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21917927&loc=d3e848-128460

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Definition

The aggregate fair value as of the reporting date of all noncontrolling interests which are redeemable by the (parent) entity (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the (parent) entity. This item includes noncontrolling interest holder's ownership (or holders' ownership) regardless of the type of equity interest (common, preferred, other) including all potential organizational (legal) forms of the investee entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph (16)(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011957&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph (12)(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011957&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011957&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-Subparagraph 14

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011957&loc=SL6540498-122764

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value of accretion of temporary equity to its redemption value during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount, attributable to parent and noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Adjustments to temporary equity resulting from foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The portion of net income or loss attributable to temporary equity interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 08, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Mar. 31, 2011 Subsidiaries Common Stock
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition		Mar. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition Equity Interests Issued Or Issuable Percent Of Shares Issued					20.00%
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Purchase Date		Mar. 08, 2013
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	$ 24,734,000		$ 24,734,000
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Fair Value				25,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Balances - Beginning of period		0	22,248,000
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			(903,000)
Currency translation adjustment			(1,030,000)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holder			1,970,000
Adjustment to fair value			2,449,000
Purchase	(24,734,000)		(24,734,000)
Balances - End of period			$ 0