v3.19.1
Document and Entity Information Document - shares
6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2019
Apr. 02, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Feb. 28, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --08-31  
Entity Registrant Name SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.  
Entity Central Index Key 0000912603  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Class A Common Stock    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   26,576,489
Class B Common Stock    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   200,000