Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Schedule Of Future Minimum Obligations [Table Text Block]

The table below sets forth the Company’s future minimum obligations under non-cancelable operating leases as of August 31, 2011 (in thousands):

Years ending August 31,	Operating Leases
2012	$	20,434
2013	18,116
2014	15,383
2015	11,092
2016	5,975
Thereafter	20,146
Total	$	91,146

Schedule Of Reserves For Environmental Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Changes in the Company’s reserves for environmental liabilities for the years ended August 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

Reporting Segment	Balance 9/1/2009		Reserves Established (Released), Net(1)			Payments			Ending Balance 8/31/2010		Reserves Established (Released), Net(2)		Payments			Ending Balance 8/31/2011		Short-Term		Long-Term
Metals Recycling Business	$	25,608	$	710		$	(944	)	$	25,374	$	1,040	$	(759	)	$	25,655	$	2,429	$	23,226
Auto Parts Business	16,300		(1,800		)	—			14,500		700		—			15,200		554		14,646
Total	$	41,908	$	(1,090	)	$	(944	)	$	39,874	$	1,740	$	(759	)	$	40,855	$	2,983	$	37,872

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(1) During fiscal 2010, the Company released $2 million in environmental reserves through discontinued operations related to the full-service auto parts operation, which was partially offset by $1 million in environmental liabilities recorded in purchase accounting.

(2) During fiscal 2011, the Company recorded $1 million in environmental liabilities in purchase accounting related to acquisitions completed in fiscal 2011.