Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Class A Common Stock
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,332,000	26,899,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	27,332,000	26,899,000
Class B Common Stock
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	200,000	200,000