-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AvFcazTbhscQwdn1L+jpoJNh0Q4xuIk/rFFWHfBNM7yspsDFng+LKPEUq68vEuWC
 tp0bVPMTAbpkSfh9UDIieQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001052192-03-000013.txt : 20030522
<SEC-HEADER>0001052192-03-000013.hdr.sgml : 20030522
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030522110441
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001052192-03-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030520
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030522

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000912603
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MISC DURABLE GOODS [5090]
		IRS NUMBER:				930341923
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NW YEON AVE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 10047
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97210-0047
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5032249900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 10047
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97210

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GATES WILLIAM H III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000902012

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22496
		FILM NUMBER:		03715591

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MICROSOFT WAY
		CITY:			REDMOND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98052
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4258828080

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MICROSOFT WAY
		CITY:			REDMOND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98052

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CASCADE INVESTMENT LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001052192
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22496
		FILM NUMBER:		03715590

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2365 CARILLON POINT
		CITY:			KIRKLAND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98033
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4258030720

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2365 CARILLON POINT
		CITY:			KIRKLAND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98033
</SEC-HEADER>
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<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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        <issuerName>SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SCHN</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId>
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            <rptOwnerName>CASCADE INVESTMENT LLC</rptOwnerName>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
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            <rptOwnerName>GATES WILLIAM H III</rptOwnerName>
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            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
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ectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeSecurity><nonDerivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-05-20</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1000</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>27.49</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>495200</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeSecurity><footnot
es/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Michael Larson as Manager of Cascade Investment, L.L.C. and on behalf of William H. Gates III. Authorized under power of attorney dated 3/14/2001 by William H. Gates III, filed on 3/19/2001 with Cascade's Schedule 13D, SEC File No. 005-52919.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-05-22</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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