Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 26,989	$ 49,462
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,048 and $6,148	209,475	229,975
Inventories, net	410,119	335,120
Deferred income taxes	10,942	11,784
Refundable income taxes	13,035	3,541
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	30,583	24,117
Total current assets	701,143	653,999
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $486,737 and $471,305	552,833	555,284
Investments in joint venture partnerships	17,665	17,208
Goodwill	622,382	627,805
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $15,015 and $20,846	19,510	20,906
Other assets	14,768	14,967
Total assets	1,928,301	1,890,169
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	14,665	643
Accounts payable	111,079	141,011
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	21,766	36,475
Environmental liabilities	2,971	2,983
Accrued income taxes	2,788	13,833
Other accrued liabilities	40,265	38,368
Total current liabilities	193,534	233,313
Deferred income taxes	84,845	85,378
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	480,943	403,287
Environmental liabilities, net of current portion	37,562	37,872
Other long-term liabilities	10,315	10,030
Total liabilities	807,199	769,880
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	18,936	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	3,769	762
Retained earnings	1,070,363	1,065,109
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,208)	1,540
Total SSI shareholders’ equity	1,096,185	1,094,712
Noncontrolling interests	5,981	6,524
Total equity	1,102,166	1,101,236
Total liabilities and equity	1,928,301	1,890,169
Common Class A [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, value	24,395	24,241
Common Class B [Member]
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, value	$ 2,866	$ 3,060