SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.






Consent of Independent Accountants


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  registration  statement of
Schnitzer Steel Industries,  Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 33-87008) of our reports
dated April 29, 1996, on our audits of the consolidated  financial statements of
Proler   International   Corp.  and  subsidiaries  and  the  combined  financial
statements of Proler  International  Corp.'s Joint  Operations as of January 31,
1996 and 1995,  and for each of the three years in the period ended  January 31,
1996,  which reports have been  incorporated by reference in this Current Report
on Form 8-K/A.






                                                   /S/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                                   Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.



Houston, Texas
February 11, 1997